Cheyenne, WY-Scottsbluff, NE

Cheyenne is the capital city and commercial center for the state of Wyoming. As the gateway from the Great Plains from the advent of the transcontinental railroad, it still serves as a major ground transportation and agricultural center. The functional and attractive downtown core has a well preserved historic Western feel. Major employers include the state government, the Union Pacific Railroad, and several agriculture and energy-related industries. The employment base is more stable than most other cities in the region. Many area residents are employed by or are dependent on the U.S. Air Force, through F.E. Warren Air Force Base to the west of the city, or by the Wyoming National Guard. A greater assortment of services and amenities are in Denver, 100 miles south. Cheyenne s high elevation, coupled with its position on the continent, make it one of the windiest cities in the United States. The abundance of wind makes Cheyenne an opportune place to develop wind energy.