StateWays | www.stateways.com | July/August 2017
12
H
eadlines continue to proclaim that the U.S. economy is
stronger than it's been for nearly a decade. While that's
true for many states across the country, Wyoming faces
a much harsher reality. The state is currently trying to
dig its way out of a major economic slump that's re-
sulted in thousands of jobs being eliminated over the
past three years. This is largely due to the signifi cant downturn
of the oil, coal and natural gas industries, which together ac-
count for nearly 70% of the state's annual revenue.
Fortunately, the lull in the economy hasn't had a major impact on the state's liquor
sales. The Wyoming Liquor Distribution Division, which is part of the Wyoming De-
partment of Revenue, reported a modest 1.24% increase in overall sales during the 2016
fi scal year, with $111.5 million in gross sales. Additionally, the Division exceeded its goal
of selling one million cases of product last year, reporting a 0.94% increase.
HOW ENHANCED
LEGISLATION AND
EDUCATIONAL
PROGRAMS ARE
MAKING A
DIFFERENCE IN
WYOMING
by MELISSA NIKSIC
AHEAD OF THE AHEAD OF THE
CURVE
agency agency agency
profile
