AGP Executive Report

Housing & Rates: Mortgage rates climbed for a third straight week, with the 30-year fixed average rising to 6.76%—the highest in over 14 months—pushing borrowing costs higher for would-be buyers and refinancers. Health Care Refunds: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Wyoming, will receive $500 Obamacare refunds tied to alleged federal “user fee” overcharges. Wyoming Energy Planning: The Wyoming Energy Authority hired Utah-based Energy Strategies to lead a statewide electricity transmission planning study, citing future demand and data center growth. Local Infrastructure: Cheyenne’s Board of Public Utilities plans a water main replacement next week, including a westbound East 19th Street lane closure for about six weeks. Wyoming Tech & Finance: UW’s Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation will host the Sept. 30 Wyoming Blockchain Stampede, with speakers including Gov. Mark Gordon and Custodia Bank CEO Caitlin Long. Business Risk & Safety: Wyoming-based Prepared Hero recalled about 31,000 Hero Fire Spray canisters after reports they can deteriorate and rupture or fail during a fire. Transit Funding Pressure: UW Transportation Services is shifting evening service to its SafeRide on-call van model after a 37% cut in federal funding for fiscal year 2027.

Healthcare & Consumer Relief: President Trump says the federal government will refund $500 per person to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states for Affordable Care Act “overcharges,” including Wyoming, while New Mexico is excluded. Infrastructure & Local Business Impact: Cheyenne’s Board of Public Utilities plans a water main replacement starting next week, with a westbound lane closure on E 19th Street from Rayor to Albany for about six weeks, then work continuing toward Converse into November. Public Safety & Community Events: Cheyenne hosts the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run Truck Convoy on Sept. 19 at WYDOT’s yard, raising funds for Special Olympics Wyoming. Rural Health Access: A new analysis warns Medicaid changes could force rural pregnant residents in Wyoming and the Mountain West to drive farther for maternity care as delivery units close. Wyoming Agriculture & Food Security: The Food Bank of Sweetwater County received fresh Wyoming sweet corn via a state grant, helping expand local produce distribution. Education & Workforce: UW Extension’s John Hewlett is helping organize a Federal Reserve agricultural roundtable in Cheyenne, bringing producers together to discuss real-world farm and ranch conditions. Historic Preservation: Cheyenne’s historic airport terminal preservation push has stalled as the airport board shelves a National Register nomination amid uncertainty over rehabilitation costs. Business & Community Growth: Kaiser Foundation awarded 10 Wyoming $5,000 scholarships to top high school seniors, including two Cheyenne students.

Health Care & Consumer Relief: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Wyoming, will get $500 refunds for alleged Obamacare “user fee” overcharges tied to the federal exchange, with payments starting in October. Wyoming Workforce: The state’s Department of Workforce Services won a $2 million federal grant to help justice-involved adults (25+) train for skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, and registered apprenticeships, with employer hiring supports available. State Economic Leadership: The Wyoming Business Council and Wyoming Main Street boards will meet in Gillette Sept. 15-16, including funding actions and updates on growth priorities. Inflation Watch: New inflation data points to stubborn price pressure, with diesel and gasoline costs still driving the story as the Fed heads toward its Sept. 16 decision. Local Business & Community: First Interstate Bank will close branches at noon Sept. 16 for its annual Volunteer Day, including projects in Wyoming. Public Safety & Industry: Union Pacific says it tested exporting Wyoming coal via a cross-border rail route to Mexico’s Port of Guaymas, aiming to expand global market options. Community Events: Goshen County hosts the Wild West Equifest Horse Expo Saturday at the fairgrounds, with proceeds supporting an equine therapy program.

Healthcare & Consumer Relief: President Trump says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Wyoming, will get $500 ACA refunds starting in October, funded by alleged excess federal “user fees” from the Biden-era Healthcare.gov marketplace. Energy Infrastructure: The Wyoming Energy Authority selected Energy Strategies to run a statewide electricity transmission planning study required by recent legislation, aiming to map constraints and future build needs. Tech & Economic Development: Google’s $17 billion “Project Tembo” data center campus in Laramie County drew public questions at a Cheyenne open house, including water, power, jobs, and environmental impacts. Local Business & Community Grants: The Wyoming Community Foundation announced Microsoft Technology Grant funding for Laramie County nonprofits, targeting tech upgrades and skills-building. Cybersecurity & Banking: Hilltop Bank resumed limited services after a cyber incident, reopening some Casper and other offices and adding a limited call center. Public Safety & Travel: WYDOT will close eastbound I-80 on/off ramps at Exit 173 in Wamsutter for paving Monday, with a same-day detour plan. State Policy Watch: Senate Republicans released a revised 630-page Clarity Act draft adding federal oversight for certain crypto trading protocols ahead of a Sept. 15 procedural vote.

Wyoming Economy Watch: The state’s August 2026 Wyoming Insight shows oil prices rising while natural gas stays under $3, and sales and use tax collections jumping to $94.3 million (+16.9% year over year), with mining driving the biggest gains. Game & Fish Funding: Wyoming Game and Fish leaders kept pushing for more money as a legislative committee weighed options to close an inflation-driven gap, with discussion centered on how license revenue and federal aid/grants fit into the 2027 outlook. Higher Ed Pathways: Western Wyoming College and the University of Wyoming launched an Express Transfer Agreement to map a smoother associate-to-bachelor route, with advising and early UW connections starting from a student’s first semester. University Leadership: UW President Shane Reeves delivered his first State of the University address, highlighting advancement priorities amid enrollment pressures and the growing role of AI in education. Energy & Industry: Enbridge announced a $2.55 billion deal to buy Tallgrass’s crude oil business, including Wyoming storage assets, as the company expands its U.S. footprint. Local Planning: Cheyenne’s Planning Commission denied rezoning requests tied to two proposed data center projects, citing concerns about fit for the area and buffers to nearby homes. Wildlife & Conservation: Two conservation groups sued the Bureau of Land Management over Colorado and Wyoming oil and gas lease approvals, arguing the agency failed to properly consider impacts to wildlife and migration corridors.

Teton Pass Safety: A Wilson widow is carrying the loss of Javier De Luna Chavez into action, leaving a memorial at milepost 7 after a Sept. 2 crash and urging faster, clearer brake-check measures on the highway. Local Commemoration: Rock Springs first responders and community members will mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a Memorial Walk on Friday, Sept. 11. Education Pathways: Western Wyoming College and the University of Wyoming launched an Express Transfer Agreement to let eligible students map an associate-to-bachelor path with dual advising and early UW connections. Healthcare Funding: The Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County Foundation kicked off its 20th Anniversary campaign, aiming to build on two decades of local healthcare support. State Policy & Economy: Wyoming’s participation is set for a Federal Reserve agricultural roundtable in Cheyenne, organized with UW Extension to discuss ranching and crop conditions. Robocall Crackdown: Multiple state attorneys general, including Wyoming’s AG Jeff Jackson in a separate coalition push, are urging the FCC to tighten “Know Your Upstream Provider” rules to curb illegal robocalls. Data Center Backlash: Reporting highlights growing scrutiny of data centers’ wastewater impacts, including a Wyoming case involving Meta’s Cheyenne construction discharges.

Data Center Policy: Cheyenne’s council committee advanced Cox Ranch annexation and rezoning to business park status, clearing the way for a proposed data center—after earlier postponements tied to developer activity and city water infrastructure questions. AI & Power Demand: A Bloomberg report says Alphabet and Blackstone’s “Project Braid” cloud venture is delaying major data-center sites, including a Cheyenne plan that was scaled down after permit and transformer supply issues. Agriculture & Fed: UW Extension’s John Hewlett helped organize a Sept. 24 Federal Reserve agricultural roundtable in Cheyenne, bringing Wyoming producers to discuss transportation, irrigation, and marketing realities. Small Business: The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index slipped in August, with uncertainty still elevated even as owners remain more positive about their own businesses. Energy/Environment: The National Elk Refuge draft plan would reduce winter feeding but keep it in place; comments are open until Oct. 13. Local Business/Community: Sweetwater County School District No. 2 approved new e-bike rules on school grounds and moved ahead on a greenhouse bid.

Fiber Deal: Clearwave Fiber and Visionary Broadband signed a definitive agreement to combine, building an independent fiber platform spanning 17 states and reaching about 700,000 homes and businesses, with Clearwave CEO David Armistead leading the combined company. Wyoming Water & Courts: Wyoming irrigation and a Colorado reservoir dispute are headed to court amid warnings about major economic impacts from proposed water cuts. Outdoor Economy: Wyoming’s Outdoor Recreation Collaboratives are set to hold a second round of fall meetings, bringing residents, business owners, nonprofits and elected officials together to advance local recreation priorities. Crypto Regulation Push: Sen. Cynthia Lummis is urging support for the CLARITY Act ahead of a Sept. 15 Senate vote, framing it as a choice between U.S. leadership in digital finance rules and China writing them. Local Food Security: The Food Bank of Sweetwater County received $50,000 from United Way of Southwest Wyoming to support its Emergency Food Assistance Program and ongoing distributions in Rock Springs and Green River. Energy Demand Watch: Natural gas is leading the race to fuel Wyoming’s rapidly rising data-center driven electrical demand.

Water & Western Growth: Nevada sued after Interior’s Aug. 21 decision cut Colorado River supplies, while Wyoming and Colorado face a separate fight over Denver’s Gross Dam expansion and whether new storage can work in a shrinking, hotter basin. Energy & Jobs: TerraPower says it’s targeting first power from a UK Natrium sodium-cooled reactor by 2034, with regulators already reviewing the design—an effort that could reshape Britain’s power mix and supply-chain opportunities. Wyoming Uranium Watch: Peninsula Energy is ramping its Lance operation after switching wellfield leach chemistry, but flow-rate limits are slowing production and the next mine-unit decision is the near-term market focus. Tech & Manufacturing in Wyoming: Telemanipulators LLC, based in Cheyenne, rolled out FDA-compliant “non-shedding” silicone jaw pads for CRL-interchangeable telemanipulator equipment used in radiopharmaceutical hot cells. Ranching & Trade: Wyoming cattle producers are reacting to a 90-day waiver allowing more ground beef imports, saying it adds price and herd-rebuilding uncertainty. Public Safety: A Steamboat Springs case tied two Yampa Valley deaths to synthetic kratom 7-OH, highlighting risks from readily available opioid-like substances.

Beef Tariffs Impact: Wyoming ranchers are bracing after President Trump’s 90-day waiver of higher tariffs on some ground beef imports sent cattle values down about 10% overnight, with producers warning the temporary policy could undercut efforts to rebuild shrinking herds. Crypto Regulation Clock: Sen. Cynthia Lummis says the CLARITY Act’s Senate path is tightening fast, warning that if it misses this Congress, the next realistic chance for market-structure rules may slip to 2030—raising stakes for jobs, investment, and tax revenue. Housing Finance Snapshot: VA data shows Wyoming’s average VA purchase loan hit $375,195 in Q2 FY2026, a useful read for lenders and homebuyers watching affordability. Banking Deal: BMO has completed the sale of 138 branches to First-Citizens Bank, transferring about $5.7B in deposits and roughly $1.1B in loans across multiple states including Wyoming. Local Business Spotlight: A Cheyenne couple, Trinity and Trevor Thatcher, bought the Cowboy Saloon and Dance Hall where they had their first date, betting on keeping a local landmark open. Fed Watch: Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh urged markets not to lean on Fed guidance, signaling acceptance of higher rates as part of a high-growth economy.

Crypto regulation clock: The U.S. Senate is set to vote Sept. 15 on the CLARITY Act, with passage now looking unlikely as unresolved disputes over ethics rules, DeFi developer liability, and stablecoin yield provisions remain. Water stress in the West: A report highlights how drought-driven Colorado River cutbacks are reshaping Arizona’s water future, with the Central Arizona Project among the systems facing first-in-line reductions. Wyoming business & community: Cheyenne Central High School inducted its second Athletics Hall of Fame class, spotlighting local sports legacy and community ties. AI in retail food: Restaurants are increasingly using AI-generated food images for menus and storefronts, but customers say the results can be misleading and erode trust. Consumer fraud watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows scam reports remain a persistent problem nationwide, with multiple cities tied for high counts in July. Energy costs: Gas prices are projected to hit record levels for Labor Day weekend, adding pressure to household budgets.

Energy Costs: Americans are bracing for record Labor Day gasoline prices, with GasBuddy projecting a national average around $4.03 a gallon—up sharply from last year and a new late-year high. Wyoming Economy & Housing: Wyoming’s average VA purchase loan amount fell from Q1 to Q2, a sign of shifting affordability pressures for would-be buyers. AI & Consumer Impact: Restaurants are increasingly using AI-generated food images, and diners are pushing back hard when the results look uncanny or misleading—turning menu design into a reputational risk. Local Business & Community: Powell Economic Partnership’s VISTA volunteer program is running a “Loose Change for Local Change” campaign to fund local food access, agriculture education and outdoor recreation. Water & Growth: Data center expansion is colliding with water realities, with reports of projects facing leaks, contamination disputes and well-water problems—raising new costs for small-town utilities. Cybersecurity: Wyoming’s judicial branch is warning of a cybersecurity breach, adding pressure on state systems and vendors.

Energy Costs: With the Middle East conflict still pushing prices up, Americans are heading into Labor Day weekend facing record-high gasoline costs, with GasBuddy projecting a national average around $4.03 a gallon—potentially topping $4 for the first time this late in the year. Wyoming Housing Finance: Wyoming’s average VA purchase loan amount fell to about $375,195 in fiscal 2026 Q2, down from roughly $386,992 in Q1, according to the VA Home Loans Index. Local Development & Water: Fremont County commissioners are weighing how much authority they should have over a Lost Cabin data center proposal near Boysen Reservoir, as residents raise concerns about water use, noise, and impacts. Wyoming Business & Tech: Wyoming is expanding Chainlink integration for FRNT reserve verification, adding reserve transparency checks tied to state-issued stable token disclosures. Community & Workforce: A new Student Life “Bulldogs in Balance” wellness series kicks off with a cornhole fundraiser focused on relational wellness, with weekly events planned through fall break.

Federal policy & markets: The Fed is heading into a fresh showdown with President Donald Trump after August jobs data came in strong, pushing rate-hike bets back into focus and rattling bond markets. Energy costs: With the Middle East still driving supply worries, U.S. gas prices are set to hit about $4.03 a gallon on Labor Day—an all-year pain point for consumers and a political headache. Wyoming housing finance: Wyoming’s average VA purchase loan amount dipped to about $375,195 in Q2 2026 from roughly $386,992 in Q1. Wyoming business & fraud risk: Wyoming residents are also watching consumer scams closely as national fraud losses keep climbing; in neighboring Michigan, BBB Scam Tracker showed losses in July even as report counts stayed low in some cities. Local infrastructure & development: Cheyenne’s data-center discussion continues as city leaders weigh growth, water, and annexation impacts. Wildlife policy: Trump’s order to review gray wolf and Mexican wolf protections could reshape ESA rules nationwide, including in Wyoming.

Housing & Community Input: Cheyenne opened a 15-day public review for its draft 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), with comments due Sept. 19. Infrastructure Costs: Green River’s new wastewater treatment plant is projected to land at just under $40 million after ARPA grant support and interest savings, with final invoices expected to be confirmed by the state in November. Home Affordability: Freddie Mac reports the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.71%, the highest in more than a year, adding pressure for Wyoming homebuyers. Local Business & Finance: BMO completed the sale of 138 U.S. branches to First Citizens, including locations in Wyoming. Agriculture & Trade: Wyoming cattle ranchers are watching tariff-free imported beef closely after Trump’s move, with economists warning the supply share may not quickly translate into lower retail prices. Energy & Regulation: The Wyoming Industrial Siting Council approved the Laramie Range Wind permit after a lengthy hearing, clearing the path for the project. Public Safety & Health: A multi-state recall includes Chocolatey Eyeballs sold at TJ Maxx and Marshalls in Wyoming due to undeclared milk allergen. Workforce Pressure: New data shows a record number of people leaving the labor force, raising concerns about consumer demand and long-term economic capacity.

Teton Pass Safety Upgrades: WYDOT says new “Must Stop Brake Check” and “No Parking” signage is set to go up the week of Sept. 21, with “all vehicles” wording replacing “truckers” on curve/grade warnings after residents pushed for faster action following a fatal rollover. Wyoming Property Tax Ballot Fight: Initiative 1 would exempt half of a home’s assessed value for residents living there at least six months (land excluded), with state estimates of roughly $93M-$96M revenue impact in 2028-29—raising fresh questions about school and local service funding. Fed, Rates and Wyoming’s Cost of Money: A hotter-than-expected August jobs report (162,000 jobs; unemployment steady at 4.1%) is reviving odds of a September rate hike, keeping inflation data in the spotlight. Fuel Shock Hits Rural Economies: Diesel hit a record $5.85 a gallon as Middle East tensions tighten supply, threatening higher transport and food costs—especially for agriculture and trucking. Mental Health Access in the Rural West: Crisis Text Line reports Wyoming texters are more likely to mention suicide in crisis chats, pointing to rural barriers like fewer resources and less community programming. Livestock Feed Relief Extended: Gov. Mark Gordon signed an order extending emergency permits for oversize/overweight livestock feed hauling through at least Oct. 6 amid drought and wildfire impacts.