The Equality State Policy Center will host an online discussion today (Thursday) with four members of the team charged with developing a strategy to deploy federal COVID-relief funds and other resources and spur Wyoming’s post-pandemic recovery.

The roundtable discussion, “Roadmap to Recovery: The Governor’s Guide to a Post-Pandemic Wyoming” will take place from 5-6 p.m. via Zoom. The event is free and open to the public, and people can register online at equalitystate.org/the-peoples-review/ to receive an invitation to participate live.

Panelists, all part of Gov. Mark Gordon’s handpicked “Strike Team,” will discuss their monthslong effort with the governor’s policy staff, cabinet, and other stakeholders on “Survive, Drive, Thrive,” a new proposal to help Wyoming recover now and flourish in the long term.

“It is an incredible responsibility to be a part of the process of investing in Wyoming with the American Rescue Plan Act funds,” said Robin Sessions Cooley, director of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. “Fortunately, excellent ideas have been brought forward from people living in communities all over Wyoming. With this critical input, these resources will be put to use in a strategic way, strengthening Wyoming families and our economy for many years to come.”

The governor’s proposal highlights a number of short-term needs, including funding mental health and substance abuse services and identifying areas that would benefit from enhanced broadband connectivity. Long-term goals identified for further study and planning include activating new economic sectors and creating new jobs, and retaining and attracting working families and young adults to permanently live and raise families in Wyoming.

The proposal comes as ESPC promotes Wyoming Women as Economic Drivers, a nonpartisan policy report produced in partnership with the Wyoming Women’s Foundation and the Wyoming Council for Women that highlights the crucial role women play in the Equality State’s economy. 

“There’s a lot of overlap with the governor’s proposal,” said Jen Simon, ESPC senior policy adviser and the report’s lead author. “There are a lot of places where our policy recommendations dovetail with the governor’s goals. As Wyoming looks toward recovery, we’ll be urging policymakers to lead the way in ensuring that our state’s workforce attracts and retains employees equitably, across all sectors.” 

“Roadmap to Recovery” will feature Cooley; Cody Mayor and Wyoming Association of Municipalities President Matt Hall; Wyoming Department of Family Services Director Korin Schmidt; and Wyoming County Commissioners Association President Jim Willox.