Gubernatorial candidates visit town

Bill Dahlin, gubernatorial candidate for Wyoming, spent some time at Black Bear Cafe on Saturday morning, chatting with locals about his vision for Wyoming.

A Sheridan native, Dahlin has a farming and ranching background as well as a lucrative career with Burlington Northern railroad. In addition, he has started several business ventures throughout his life from a leasing company to a materials handling and recycling business to a part ownershiip in a financial group. He also has extensive knowledge of the coal industry.

Dahlin believes the success of Wyoming will always be tied to our economy, most of which has been minerals – oil, coal, natural gas – for as long as most folks can remember.

"We need to diversify," Dahlin said. "One thing we should be looking at is the manufacture of industrial hemp. This country imported a billion dollars worth of industrial hemp last year and its expected to double in the next five years."

Industrial hemp is a renewable resource used in paper products, cardboard, ethanol, carpet, clothing, insulation, mulch and many other items we use every day. Hemp is a $620 million revenue stream in the U.S.

"A bill was passed in 2014 allowing industrial hemp," he said, "but there are a lot of restrictions on it. That door is being held shut for some reason and our job is to open doors, not close them."

Another area Dahlin wants Wyoming to step into is USDA processing.

Currently, there are no processing plants for USDA meats in the State of Wyoming which means our beef, sheep, pork and other meats must be processed out of state.

"We have no brand outside Wyoming with our meats," he said.

Growth in Wyoming is slow, especially in the outlying areas and Dahlin believes the Wyoming Business Council and Economic Development organizations need to be held accountable.

"We are pretty much in the same place we were 20 years ago," Dahlin said. "Now we have ENDOW, which does the same thing. All they have done is doubled-down on something that isn't successful.

"We have to be able to solve these problems together. We need to be more open, more open to opportunities. There are people all across this state with good ideas. They're a free resource and we need to be listening to them."

One item that continues to come up is the utilization of Interstate 80 and its condition.

Wyoming is one of a few states that for every dollar we pay in taxes, we get $1.62 back from the Federal Government.

"The I80 issue is not insurmountable," Dahlin said. "We are now on our third study (as to what to do). Its a lot simpler than that. The technology for a toll system is attainable. We need to work with WYDOT."

This is actually Dalin's second tour of Wyoming. He made his first trip across the state a few months ago before making his final decision to run for Governor.

"I've been to every incorporated town in the State," he said. "I'm just asking people for their full consideration for their vote. Look at everyone and make a fair comparison. I think in the end they'll like what I'm saying."