Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dale Steenbergen says the latest Laramie County economic indicators show a mixed picture.

He says the latest sales tax collection figures show a decline of nine percent compared to the same time last year.

He says that while that is in no way good news, it's important the remember that the local economy has been doing quite well over the last few years, and the latest downturn probably brings the area back to roughly 2012 or 2013 in terms of the overall economy "and those were tremendous years for us."

He also points out the Laramie County unemployment rate remains relatively low and the local drop in sales taxes is much smaller that that being seen in other parts of Wyoming, where it has ranged into the upper 20 percent range in some cases.

Steenbergen also notes oil prices have mostly been trending upward over the last few months, although not enough yet to really jump-start oil exploration in Wyoming.

Steenbergen also notes the Laramie County housing market has mostly been strong over the last few months, although it has been down a little bit recently.

Likewise, permits for new construction have tailed off a little bit recently but are still looking good overall. He says he is hearing some concerns recently about commercial real estate having "slowed down a bunch."

Steenbergen says "we are certainly not in a depression here locally," but adds there are still some concerns. He says overall "we will have to wait and see" what will happen with the local economy over the next few months.

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