Cheyenne Economy Strengthened In 2011

Wyoming's capital is nearly at pre-recession economic strength. That's according to the Wyoming Center for Business and Economic Analysis, which analyzed general business activity in Laramie County.

Economic growth spread through all local business sectors, from retail sales to car registrations and employment numbers. Retail sales climbed at a double-digit rate, up 11 percent from a year earlier. The report also said key labor market indicators continued to climb from recession lows in 2009. The monthly average number of jobs is now just a few hundred short of the previous high set in 2007.

Economist Dick O'Gara said Laramie County escaped mass layoffs during the Great Recession. At the same time, home values remained fairly steady.

Story from AP