December 12, 2022 WyIC Wins Overcoming Adversity Award

The coal commercialization facility was recognized in the small division category for its innovation in economic development.

GILLETTE, W.Y. – The Wyoming Innovation Center (WyIC), a coal commercialization facility located in northeast Wyoming’s “Carbon Valley” region, announced today that it has been granted the ‘Overcoming Adversity’ award in the small division category by the Mid-America Economic Development Council. The award recognizes a project or best practices a community, region or state utilized to overcome a challenge, such as budget, supply chain disruptions, COVID-19 setbacks or natural disaster.

“Coal utilization is an essential component of Carbon Valley’s economy, so the completion of this project, although sometimes challenging, was imperative to our community and the industry as a whole,” said Phil Christopherson, CEO of Energy Capital Economic Development (ECED), who spearheaded this project. “Despite budget setbacks and disruptions from supply chain and COVID-19, the Wyoming Innovation Center team was determined to finish the project on time and within budget, which allowed for the successful opening of the center and, most notably, progress within the coal commercialization industry.”

Coal production and its workforce have seen a steep drop across America due in part to increased regulations limiting the release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. The Carbon Valley holds 165 billion tons of recoverable coal, which is tied to a robust mining workforce.

ECED developed the Wyoming Innovation Center to utilize this abundant resource and to sustain a mining workforce – all in a cleaner way.

“Our community is determined to create proactive solutions to maintain our coal industry and the Wyoming Innovation Center is the perfect example of this,” said Campbell County Commissioner Rusty Bell. “Carbon Valley’s sustainable coal-related projects will continue to pave the way for our economy.”

The 9.5-acre site is home to companies and researchers developing commodities like asphalt, graphene, graphite, agricultural char, carbon fiber and more — using coal and coal byproducts. It features two buildings and seven demonstration sites for pilot plants, where private companies and researchers will work to advance coal-to-product and rare earth element processes. The region is a desirable testbed for new and proven products produced from coal because of its 165 billion tons of recoverable coal.

The project received a $1.5 million grant from the Wyoming Business Council and a $1.46 million matching grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). It also received funding from both the City of Gillette and Campbell County. Facing challenges from Covid, supply chain disruptions, weather, and other factors, the project was completed later than planned, but still within budget. The facility was completed in June 2022 with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by local, state and federal officials.

The 2022 award winners were recognized at the Mid-America Competitiveness Conference on December 2 in Chicago, Illinois. For more information, visit: https://www.midamericaedc.org/events-and-programs/annual-awards

About Energy Capital Economic Development
Energy Capital Economic Development stimulates and facilitates a diverse economy through business retention, expansion and recruitment. The 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization is funded primarily by investors from local industries and companies, with added contributions from Campbell County and City of Gillette. It is governed by business executives and representatives from Campbell County and City of Gillette. For more information, visit: www.energycapitaled.com.

About Carbon Valley
Located in Wyoming’s northeast region in and around Gillette and Campbell County, the “Carbon Valley” is a go-to destination for research, development and new business in the coal-to-product, rare earth element, and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) industries. Use of the region’s plentiful Powder River Basin coal for new commercial and environmental processes will help strengthen the state’s economy while creating a surge in demand for coal as a raw material, fueling cross-industry innovation. For more information, visit: www.cvalleywy.com.

About The Mid-America Economic Development Council
The Mid-America Economic Development Council is an economic development organization and professional association comprised of 13 states including, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The organization represents 20% of the nation’s population, the nation’s business establishments and over 20% of the nation’s workforce.

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