Wyoming lags rest of region

CHEYENNE — Wyoming’s economy has lagged behind other Rocky Mountain States during the past decade, and now there are signs that even its modest growth is slipping.

Nonetheless, business leaders in Cheyenne and Laramie generally are optimistic that southeastern Wyoming’s economy will withstand any downturns during 1997 and continue to grow slowly but steadily.

As a result, the crystal ball for Cheyenne and Laramie in 1997 is somewhat hazy.

Wyoming’s economy has shown some signs of slippage in recent months. Unemployment remains low at 4 percent statewide (2.8 percent in southeastern Wyoming), but state Employment Department statistics show a slow but steady…