CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Wyoming’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds has been fully committed, the state announced in a release.

Wyoming received nearly $1.1 billion from the federal ARPA of 2021. Of that amount, approximately $584 million was used to replace revenue lost as a result of the economic downturn caused by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. One impact of the downturn was that, for the first time in the state’s history, there was a period of time when no oil and gas drilling rigs were operating in Wyoming.

Most of the revenue replacement funds were used within the Department of Health and Department of Corrections to conserve the General Fund dollars appropriated to them, ensuring the state had a sustainable approach to its operations during the economic downturn.

Some of those General Fund dollars were also put into permanent savings, which will generate income to the benefit of Wyoming taxpayers for future generations.

“The ARPA funds appropriated by the Federal government will be paid for by our children and grandchildren,” Gov. Mark Gordon said. “It is fitting that we use those funds at a state level to reduce the potential tax burden of Wyoming’s current and future taxpayers.”

ARPA funds can only be used for certain purposes as determined by the federal government, including the requirement of a nexus to direct impacts of the pandemic. The Wyoming Legislature appropriated the remaining ARPA funds for support of mental health, healthcare, infrastructure and water and sewer projects.

These funds were granted through state agencies. In addition, all proposed projects were reviewed by the State Budget Department, in consultation with an audit firm, and the Office of the Attorney General to assure compliance to the extent practical with federal and state law and regulations.

In addition, $13.7 million was conditionally approved by the State Land and Investment Board for inflationary costs for approved Health and Human Services–related projects during the 2023 General Session through 2023 House Bill 0195.

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CASPER, Wyo. — According to data from the Wyoming Economic Analysis Division, Natrona County’s unemployment rate at the end of September is slightly up from the same point in 2023, as well as the state’s average at the same point.

At the end of September, Natrona County’s unemployment rate was 2.9%. At the same point in 2023, the county’s rate was 2.6%. And in the most recent survey, Wyoming’s unemployment rate also sat at 2.6%. The state’s unemployment rate is down 1% from the same point in 2023.

Despite the slight rise in unemployment in the Casper area community, the report found that the economy is steadily improving. The Economic Analysis Division measures counties’ economic stability with an economic health index that looks at a variety of factors. In every indicator except for the unemployment rate, Natrona County saw improvement.

In addition to the unemployment rate, the economic health index considers the total nonfarm employment, the sales and use tax and the average home value.

Despite the unemployment rate rising by 0.3%, the total number of employed Natrona County residents grew by about 1.2%. Overall, the number of nonfarm payroll jobs in the county was 40,800 in September.

Sales and use taxes grew approximately 5.1%, and Natrona County’s collection of the 4% sales and use tax was reported at $10.3 million in September 2024.

The average Natrona County home value rose 2.2% from 2023 to 2024. According to the report, the average home value is $296,100.

However, because sales and use tax collections the county receives for a given month represent transactions that took place four to six weeks prior, the tax collection data lags by one month in the economic health index model.

Employment in Wyoming totaled 295,900 jobs at the end of September, up 2,800 from the same point last year.

“Total employment continues to increase year-over-year, but at a slowing rate,” Economic Analysis Division economist Dylan Bainer said.

Statewide, private education and health fields added the most jobs in the past year.

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