The West is home to nine of the top ten states for economic growth since the Great Recession in late 2007, and eight of the top ten states for growth over the past year according to the Pew Charitable Trusts. The study is based on data from the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis about wages and salaries, employer-sponsored health and retirement benefits, government benefits and more.

The economies of North Dakota, Utah, Washington, Texas, Colorado, California, Oregon, Idaho and Montana improved at the greatest pace since the recession, as reflected by the combined personal income of all residents. In the past year, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Nevada and Texas experienced the greatest growth rates in state personal income.

First-place North Dakota has grown three times faster than last-place Connecticut and Mississippi. “We were able to actually benefit from the national recession,” said North Dakota's tax commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger. “There was available workforce.”

Outdoor Incentives: Sure, you already know that outdoor recreation boosts the economy, but do you know how that impact is determined? To find out, Headwaters Economics examined counties where the economy is closely tied to entertainment and seasonal visitors’ spending, or “recreation counties,” to counties with other economic drivers. Find the results of the study in High Country News and read a previous WGA blog to learn how many billions of dollars outdoor recreation pours into the economy each year.

Fire Rx: Western land managers have been using prescribed fires to improve wildlife habitat, remove overgrowth and prevent uncontrolled forest fires. Over 3 million acres were treated with prescribed fire in western states in 2017, and fire managers in Colorado, California New Mexico, Washington and Oregon are working together to utilize controlled burns while reducing risk and air quality issues. Watch WGA’s webinar, Prescribed Fire: Smoke Management and Regulatory Challenges, here.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: When wind turbines get old or break down, they’re often sent to the landfill. In the Pacific Northwest, a homegrown industry is emerging to restore aging turbines and recycle the fiberglass blades. Learn how Washington is training students to repair renewable energy equipment and reuse outdated materials.

Back to Life: After three years dormant, Ledge Geyser in Yellowstone National Park has roared back to life. One of the biggest in the park’s Norris Geyser Basin, the natural wonder expels water at an angle up to 125 feet high and a distance of 220 feet. distance of 220 feet and up to 125 feet high. 

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