Wyoming is undergoing a major economic shift in 2025. Coal industry layoffs are ongoing. The Powder River Basin is the hardest hit. Hundreds of miners have lost their jobs. The cuts are spread across multiple companies and sites.
The decline isn’t sudden. It’s a steady drop. Coal-fired power plants are closing across the U.S. Some are in Wyoming, like Naughton and Laramie River Station. EPA regulations are tightening. Demand for coal is falling. Markets are shifting to natural gas and renewables.
These changes are hitting mining towns hard. Local tax revenue is falling. Support services and transport companies are also feeling the strain.
Still, Wyoming’s economy is stable overall. Oil and natural gas are doing well. High prices and steady output are keeping those sectors strong. They’re offsetting some of the losses in coal.
Unemployment is low. That’s good for workers, but it makes hiring harder for businesses. The labor market is tight.
Tourism is thriving. Yellowstone and Grand Teton are drawing record crowds. Lodging, dining, and recreation jobs are strong. Tourism continues to be a reliable pillar of the state economy.
Wyoming is also investing in the future. It’s a leader in crypto and blockchain regulation. Kemmerer is preparing for a nuclear energy project. TerraPower’s Natrium reactor could bring tech jobs and long-term construction work.
The state’s population growth is flat. That’s a long-term issue. It limits workforce growth. Housing is also becoming less affordable, especially in Jackson and resort towns.
Wyoming is in transition. Coal’s decline is real and painful. But other sectors are growing. Energy diversification, tourism, and tech could shape the next chapter. The challenge is balancing these shifts while supporting communities that still rely on coal.