Importance of the Coal Industry to State and Local Economies of Wyoming

Few people would question that coal is king in the Campbell County, WY area. Other industries, such as oil production and ranching, also contribute significantly to the economic base, but coal mining and related industry development dominate. In recent years, Gillette has become the commercial hub of northeastern Wyoming. This development has been largely a response to the growth of the coal industry in Campbell County. Historically, Campbell County developed as a ranching area, a process that was aided by the passage of rail lines through the area, allowing early ranching interests to get their livestock to market. For decades, the Gillette-Campbell County area was predominantly a ranching area that experienced only incremental population growth.