Freudenthal Says Tiny Workforce Hamstrings Economy

By Bob Beck

Laramie, WY – Governor Dave Freudenthal says the lack of an adequate workforce has hampered efforts to diversify the state economy. Freudenthal says the biggest problem Wyoming faces is the number of jobs provided by the energy sector. He says many people are leaving their current jobs to work in the energy industry and there have not been enough workers to fill remaining jobs. Freudenthal says that makes it tough to recruit new businesses, especially light manufacturing, when the workforce is small. Freudenthal says the state should encourage businessess to pay higher wages to draw more workers to the state.