Application under the  

Small Community Air Service Development Program

Docket:             DOT‐OST‐2012‐0069

Sponsor:           Sheridan County Airport

        Sheridan, Wyoming

Airport DUNS:         169645892

County DUNS:         033802372

Congressional District Code:        At Large

EIN:             836000124

Contact:       John Stopka, Airport Manager

908 West Brundage Lane

Sheridan, WY 82801

(307) 674‐4222  

jstopka@sheridancountyairport.com
SUMMARY INFORMATION

A. Applicant Information:

X Not a Consortium Interstate Consortium Intrastate Consortium

Community now receives EAS Subsidy

X Community (or Consortium member) previously received a Small Community Grant

If previous recipient: Date of Grant: August, 2005 (Wyoming Consortium)

Expiration Date of Grant: March 2007

Federal Funds Requested: $800,000

Carrier(s) Service Obtained: Marketing Support

Destination(s) Served 10 Wyoming Airports

B. Public/Private Partnerships (List Organization Names)

Public

1 City of Sheridan

2 Sheridan County

3 Johnson County

4

5

Private

1 Forward Sheridan, INC.

2 Sheridan Chamber of Commerce

3 Sheridan Travel and Tourism

4 Various Local Businesses

5

C. Project Proposal

X Marketing Upgrade Aircraft New Route

Travel Bank Service Restoration Subsidy

Surface Transportation X Regional Service X Revenue Guarantee

Launch New Carrier X Start-up Cost Offset First Service

Study X Secure Additional Service Other (explain below)

D. Existing Landing Aids At Local Airport

X Full ILS Outer/Middle Marker X Published Instrument Approach

Localizer Other (specify)
E. Project Cost

Subtotal Total Amount

1 Federal Amount Requested $1,000,000

2 State cash financial contribution 0

Local cash financial contribution

3a Airport cash funds 0

3b Non-airport cash funds $125,000

3 Total local cash funds (3a+3b) $125,000

4 TOTAL CASH FUNDING (1+2+3) $1,125,000

In-Kind Contribution

5a Airport In-Kind Contribution ** $60,000

5b Other In-Kind Contribution ** $65,000

5 TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION $125,000

6 TOTAL PROJECT COST (4+5) $1,250,000

F. In-Kind Contributions **

Please describe the source of funds 

5a. Airport fees waived

5b. Reduced marketing costs.

G. Application Subject to Review by State Under Executive Order 12372

a. This appliation was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372

Process for review on (date):

b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372, but has not been selected by the State for review.

X c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372

H. Is the Applicant Delinquent On Any Federal Debt?

 (If "Yes", provide explanation)

X No.

Yes. (explain)
Table of Contents

Overview............................................................................................................................ 1

Sheridan’s Air Service Needs............................................................................................. 2

Geographic Setting and Challenges................................................................................... 2

Historic Air Service............................................................................................................. 3

Current Air Service Deficiencies......................................................................................... 4

Service Issues Leading to Decreased Ridership.............................................................. 6

A. Reliability.............................................................................................................. 6

B. Lack of Service/Amenities.................................................................................... 7

C. Inflated Fares ....................................................................................................... 8

Current Air Service Needs.................................................................................................. 9

Air Service Development Efforts...................................................................................... 10

Program Overview and Plan ............................................................................................ 12

A. Program Goals.................................................................................................... 12

B. Plan Specifics/Allocation of Funds...................................................................... 12

C. Financial Oversight............................................................................................. 13

D. Implementation Timeline................................................................................... 13

E. Legal Sponsor ..................................................................................................... 14

Alternatives ..................................................................................................................... 14

Previous Project Goals..................................................................................................... 14

Priority Selection Criteria................................................................................................. 15

A. Higher Average Fares......................................................................................... 15

B. Local Contributions ............................................................................................ 15

C. Public/Private Partnerships................................................................................ 15

Public Partnerships:..................................................................................................... 15

Private Partnerships: ................................................................................................... 16

D. Material Benefits to the Local Community......................................................... 16

Letters of Support............................................................................................................ 17
1

OVERVIEW

Sheridan County Airport serving Sheridan, Wyoming seeks $1,000,000 through a Small

Community Air Service Development Grant for a revenue guarantee and startup

expenses to attract SkyWest Airlines to begin service to Denver.  The Airport is currently

served by only one carrier, and service is expensive, insufficient and unsatisfactory.  

SkyWest would bring improved service and increased competition to the market, which

would bring fares more in line with the nearby airports that are currently capturing a

large portion of the Sheridan market.  SkyWest supports this proposal.  
2

SHERIDAN’S AIR SERVICE NEEDS

The Sheridan County Airport serves the cities of Sheridan and Buffalo and all of Sheridan

and Johnson Counties. The Sheridan County Airport is located two miles southwest of

Sheridan’s Central Business District, near the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains, and is

a vital access point for business and tourism in the area.  The local economy depends on

the airport for convenient service to the national air transportation system.  However,

because Sheridan is only served by one carrier, current service is inadequate and

airfares are grossly disproportionate to the market.    Sheridan residents often opt to

make the two‐hour drive to Billings, Montana, where there are more non‐stop

destination options with cheaper, more reliable flight schedules.  

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING AND CHALLENGES

Sheridan, Wyoming, is located midway between Yellowstone

Park and the Black Hills at the foot of the majestic Big Horn

Mountains.    Sheridan is a lively tourist area, with robust

wildlife and a rich history, including many notable Indian War

battle and fight sites nearby.  Sheridan’s downtown is listed on the National Register of

Historic Places and has the largest number of turn‐of‐the‐century buildings in the

region.

Sheridan County, the City of Sheridan, and the surrounding area have experienced an

extraordinary boost in economic development and growth in population beginning in

the middle of the last decade.  During calendar year 2007, enplanements from Sheridan

County Airport increased approximately 60 percent over calendar year 2006, the largest

increase of any commercial airport in the State of Wyoming.  Since that time, although

the economic and population growth have continued, enplanements have drastically

decreased due to the loss of Sheridan’s second air carrier (discussed below).   

Today, Sheridan is not close to any large center of air service

and is even farther away from any airports with substantial

low‐fare alternatives.  The Sheridan County Airport is serviced

by Great Lakes Airlines, whose only direct destination from

Sheridan is Denver International Airport (DEN).    Billings,

Montana is the largest city with a sizeable amount of air

service, but is a minimum two‐hour drive from Sheridan.  

However, even in Billings, low‐cost service is limited to twice‐

a‐week service on Allegiant Air to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los

Angeles and Oakland.    Another low‐cost option in Billings is
3

daily service to Portland and twice‐daily service to Seattle on Alaska Airlines.  Frontier

Airlines also flies out of Billings with twice a day to Denver.

   

Legacy carriers Delta Airlines and United Airlines also operate flights out of Billings.  

Delta Airlines flies nonstop to Salt Lake City and Minneapolis.  United Airlines operates

nonstop service between Billings and both Denver and Chicago.

Denver and Salt Lake City are the closest airports with significant service and a large

low‐fare airline presence, but Denver is six hours and Salt Lake City is eight hours by car

from Sheridan.   

HISTORIC AIR SERVICE

Great Lakes Airlines, the only current scheduled carrier serving Sheridan County Airport,

began operating out of Sheridan under the federal Essential Air Service (EAS) program in

1998.  Although the Sheridan market was devastated by the events of September 11,

2001, and experienced a temporary decline in ridership, the market gradually

recovered.  Great Lakes continued to operate out of Sheridan as its only carrier until the

beginning of 2005, when it pulled out of the market, citing rising fuel costs and off‐peak

seasonal traffic.   

On January 10, 2005, the Department of Transportation selected Big Sky Airlines to

provide EAS flights at Sheridan for two years, receiving an annual subsidy.  The Sheridan

County Commission protested the selection of Big Sky Airlines, arguing that the

selection “will most certainly lead to the further leakage of airline travelers to Billings,

Montana” given the airline’s smaller planes, which, the Commission claimed, would

“sacrifice the comfort of [the Sheridan] traveling public.”  The Commission noted that

“[t]o a great degree, our community is comprised of older travelers who will be

reluctant to board these small planes.”   

Great Lakes Airlines resumed daily flights from the Sheridan County Airport to Denver

beginning May 11, 2007, and for a time, Sheridan was served by two carriers.  However,

in December 2007, Big Sky petitioned to suspend service due to financial issues.  At that

time, Big Sky operated 21 nonstop round trips a week to Denver and 7 to Billings with 19

‐seat Beech 1900 aircraft.  The D.O.T. allowed the airline to discontinue service, citing

the availability of service by Great Lakes.    The community, however, expressed

disappointment with the decision.    The Sheridan County Commission noted that “In

June of 07' Great Lakes committed to operate two of their three daily weekday flights

utilizing Brasilia aircraft which would afford Sheridan 79 seats each direction on

weekdays and on weekends they would operate all their flights with the Brasilia

providing Sheridan with 180 seats.    Since June of 2007, Great Lakes has not provided
4

service with the Brasilia aircraft as promised.  On an average Great Lakes provides only

55% of the committed Brasilia flights monthly.”  After Big Sky ceased service and Great

Lakes became the only carrier serving Sheridan, Great Lakes stopped operating Brasilia

aircraft out of Sheridan altogether.    

CURRENT AIR SERVICE DEFICIENCIES

Sheridan has experienced a steady decline in ridership since 2007, when it was served

by two airlines.  Currently, Great Lakes Airlines is the only air carrier serving Sheridan

County Airport.  Great Lakes offers daily flights to Denver, using Raytheon/Beech 1900‐D

Regional Airliners.    Great Lakes operates in conjunction with code‐share agreements

with United Airlines and Frontier Airlines at the Denver International Airport and the

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport hubs.

Great Lakes is the nation’s largest carrier of Essential Air Service routes.    About 42

percent of its total revenue comes from government subsidies.  However, in Sheridan,

Great Lakes no longer operates under the EAS program.   With a capacity decrease of

21.5% year over year from 2011 to 2012, Great Lake Airlines continues to pull capacity

out of Sheridan.  In the first quarter of 2012, Sheridan County Airport has seen a 30%
5

decrease in flights to and from Denver compared to the first quarter of 2011.    With

fewer seats on fewer flights available, passengers are further discouraged to fly out of

their local airport when lower fares, better reliability and more flight times are available

up the road in Billings.  

Leakage continues to be a huge struggle for Sheridan County Airport.  The insufficient,

expensive and unsatisfactory service currently offered is the driving factor behind the

number of passengers deciding to drive out of the city and fly out of another airport.  In

2011, Sheridan County Airport retained 27,637 local passengers.  However, 41,764 local

passengers were leaked to other regional airports.  Only 40% of the local passengers are

flying out of their own airport.   The other 60% have been lost most likely to cheaper

fares, better service and more reliable performance.

Ridership has steadily declined since the second carrier serving Sheridan, Big Sky, exited

the market in 2008.    Since that time, service by Great Lakes has declined, fares have

increased, and reliability continues to be an issue.  These factors have led to decreased

ridership and an increase in leakage to nearby Billings.   

In 2010 the Wyoming Department of Transportation, Aeronautics Division completed an

economic impact study of air service in the state of Wyoming.  This study found that the
6

average visitor to Wyoming stayed 4.8 days and spent $82 per day on average.   

Sheridan’s Air Service Economic Impact

Passengers Segments 41,314 27,637

% Visitors to SHR 55% 55%

Visiting Passengers 11,400 7,600

Average Length of Stay 4.8 days 4.8 days

(from 2009 Economic Impact Study)

Average Daily Spend $82 $82

(from 2009 Economic Impact Study)

Incremental Economic Dollars

Filtering Through the Airport $4.49 million $2.99 million

Change in Economic $ Since 2007 ($1.5 million)

2007 Passenger Traffic 2011 Passenger Traffic

.

Applying these numbers to Sheridan’s decline in ridership has resulted in a drastic

decline in economic dollars filtering through Sheridan County Airport, with a change of

$1.5M since 2007.    This data suggests Sheraton Country Airport is only capturing

approximately 20‐25% of its true market.

In 2007, Sheridan ranked 5th out of Wyoming’s ten airports in terms of passenger traffic.  

Traffic has decreased 33% from 2007 to 2011, putting Sheridan at 8th in the state of

Wyoming in terms of ridership.    Laramie Regional Airport and Worland Municipal

Airport are the only two airports that carry less traffic than Sheridan in Wyoming.  

Source: WYDOT Aeronautics.

Service Issues Leading to Decreased Ridership  

A. Reliability

Flight delays and cancellations are a significant problem with existing service at Sheridan

County Airport and are one of the primary reasons for decreased ridership in recent

years.    During the past three years (January 2009‐December 2011), Great Lakes had

8,737 scheduled flights between Sheridan and Denver.    Of those 8,737 flights, 404

(4.6%) of them were cancelled.  Of the 8,333 that actually operated, only 4,983 (59%)
7

operated on time.  This means that 43% of the time, a passenger was either delayed or

cancelled and pushed to a later flight.    According to the Bureau of Transportation

Statistics, the national on‐time arrival performance between the same time frame

shows that 79.63% of all flights nationwide operated on time.  Thus, the on‐time arrival

rate of flights in and out of Sheridan County Airport is clearly much worse than the

national on‐time arrival rate.

Many of these travelers (at least 46%) are catching connecting flights in Denver, the only

direct destination out of Sheridan.  Accordingly, these delays and cancellations, most of

which were controllable, result in a high risk to Sheridan travelers of missing their

connecting flights in Denver.  In an effort to avoid this risk, many Sheridan residents opt

to fly out of Billings, which has a much lower rate of delays and cancellations.  According

to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, flights operated between Billings and Denver

had an 84.4% on‐time arrival rate in 2011.

B. Lack of Service/Amenities

Another reason for the high leakage rate to Billings is the lack of amenities on Great

Lakes flights.    Great Lakes flies Raytheon/Beech 1900‐D Regional Airliners out of

Sheridan.    These small planes seat only 19 passengers and do not have lavatories.  

Sheridan is comprised of older travelers who are reluctant to board these small, less

comfortable planes.  In addition, because of the aircraft’s small size, the FAA does not

require the airline to staff flights using the Beech 1900‐D with flight attendants.   This

creates a negative perception to the public with regard to both safety and service on

these flights.

Great Lakes Airlines Performance 2010‐2011

On Time 59%

Delayed 36.31%

Cancelled 4.69%
8

C. Inflated Fares

Another reason for decreased ridership and leakage to nearby airports is high fares.  

Average fares from Sheridan County Airport are higher than average fares from other

Wyoming airports, much higher than average U.S. domestic fares, and, most significant

from a leakage perspective, higher than average fares from nearby Billings.  
9

CURRENT AIR SERVICE NEEDS

The primary problem Sheridan County Airport faces today is a decline in ridership.  This

decline reflects a need for:   

 Competitive fares

 Reliable service

 A carrier that offers more amenities to induce local residents, particularly older

riders, to fly out of Sheridan rather than other nearby airports

 More destination options, in particular, direct‐hub access
10

AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS

Sheridan County Airport, in conjunction with its public and private partners, has

accomplished the following in recent years:

Air Service Enhancement Program

In 2002, state government officials recognized the economic value of aviation in the

state of Wyoming, leading to the most significant recent air service development effort,

which came in 2004 with the passing of the Air Service Enhancement Program (“ASEP”).  

The plan addressed the state of Wyoming’s tremendous need to focus on and improve

air service.   ASEP was originally funded at $6M per biennium.   To date, the state has

expended $26.7M, with $2.6M reallocated to the air service account due to varying

successes.   

The primary goals of ASEP are to:

 work with existing airlines to improve operational reliability,  

 continue to improve fares

 focus on ways to decrease leakage   

 ensure carriers are financially stable to operate in the state

 achieve financial stability on existing EAS markets

Air Service Task Force

Established in 2006 through Forwarded Sheridan, the “Task Force” is funded by Sheridan

County and the City of Sheridan.  The primary purpose of the Task Force is to meet with

airline officials over concerns and potential air service development.  The Task Force has

also been responsible for creating proposals and contracting consultants aimed at

creating new relationships and service current and potential carriers.   
11

748,396

755,020

714,306

743,616

692,700

677,287

734,595

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

620,000

640,000

660,000

680,000

700,000

720,000

740,000

760,000

780,000

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

US Domestic (000)

Wyoming

Wyoming Passenger Traffic

Compared to US Domestic Traffic

1997‐2003

37.81%

8.1%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

Passenger Growth Rates 2003 ‐

2010

Wyoming & US Domestic Totals

Wyoming Cumulative US Cumulative

From 1997 to 2003, the state of Wyoming saw a 2% decrease in passenger traffic when

US domestic traffic saw a 10% increase in traffic.  

Because of ASEP, the Sheridan County Airports development efforts, and the marketing

efforts made possible by the 2005 Small Community Air Service Development Program

awarded to the state of Wyoming, passenger growth rates in Wyoming have increased

37.81% from 2003 to 2010.
12

PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND PLAN

A. Program Goals

The primary goal of this proposal is to increase ridership at the Sheridan County Airport

by making more affordable, comfortable and reliable air service available to local

residents through competition by a second carrier.   

Attracting SkyWest as a second carrier in the Sheridan market will achieve these goals

by providing:   

Reliability

SkyWest’s overall cancellation and delay record far outperforms Great Lakes’ service in

Sheridan.    During 2011, SkyWest flights were on time 81.7 percent of the time, as

compared to 59 percent of Great Lakes flights departing from Sheridan County Airport

over the past two years.    SkyWest only cancelled 0.4 percent of its flights in 2011,

compared with six percent of Great Lakes flights over the past two years.  

Comfort

The local community has historically shown great support for larger aircraft, as

demonstrated by: (1) the Sheridan County Commission’s comments in 2005 in

opposition to Big Sky’s receiving EAS funding and (2) the Sheridan County Commission’s

comments in 2007 when Big Sky was exiting the market, conveying the community’s

disappointment that Great Lakes failed to deliver on its promise to operate out of

Sheridan using the larger Brasilia aircraft.    Sheridan residents want larger planes and

more amenities.    

SkyWest’s fleet is comprised of larger planes than those that Great Lakes currently uses

out of Sheridan.  All of SkyWest’s aircraft have lavatories and flight attendant service.   

Affordability

Due to the increased competition for passengers, markets served by multiple carriers

have lower average fares than those served by a single carrier.  This has proven true in

Sheridan, which has seen rising fares since 2007, when it was served by Big Sky in

addition to Great Lakes.  SkyWest’s entry into the market will reduce average fares in

Sheridan.   

B. Plan Specifics/Allocation of Funds

Sheridan County Airport seeks $1,000,000 through a Small Community Air Service

Development Grant for a revenue guarantee and start‐up expenses to attract SkyWest
13

Airlines to begin service to Denver.  Sheridan County Airport will allocate funds under

the Small Community Air Service Development Program as follows:

Revenue Guarantee

The Sheridan County Airport proposes to use up to $1,000,000 of the cash funds

available as part of a revenue guarantee.    This revenue guarantee is intended to

incentivize SkyWest to begin air service between Sheridan and Denver.  The funds shall

be available to mitigate losses for up to two years after the start of service.  The exact

terms will be negotiated with SkyWest once the grant money is awarded.

Marketing and Advertising

The Sheridan County Airport will provide $125,000 in advertising funds for the new

service.

Facilities Use Abatements/Startup Cost Offsets

The airport proposes In‐kind contributions of $125,000 to reduce the risk and encourage

use of the airport during the first years of service.  This could include, but not be limited

to: reduced terminal fees, gate fees, landing fees, and fuel flowage fees.

Other Costs

The airport will not use SCASD funds for administration, or monitoring and reporting of

results under the grant.  Additional expenses incurred will be paid out of the airport’s

general operating funds.

C. Financial Oversight

As the governing body operating Sheridan County Airport, the Sheridan County Board of

County Commissioners will be responsible for all fiscal issues and D.O.T. reporting

requirements.   As a government entity, D.O.T should be assured that proper financial

oversight for implementation rests in the hands of the Commissioners.    The Board of

Commissioners understands that it is responsible for program expenditures and will

submit invoices to D.O.T for reimbursement based on the grant request.

D. Implementation Timeline

Assuming the Department of Transportation will award the Small Community Air Service

Development grants late in 2012, the Sheridan County Airport intends to pursue an
14

aggressive timeframe for implementing air service under the terms of the grant.

Sheridan County Airport has obtained SkyWest’s support for this proposal.  If Sheridan

County Airport receives grant money, it will develop appropriate dates and timelines in

order to achieve success.     

E. Legal Sponsor

Sheridan County Airport is the legal sponsor of this proposal.  They will be responsible

for administering the programs outlined in this proposal.  The Sheridan County Airport is

a government entity.

ALTERNATIVES

Sheridan County Airport believes that bringing in a reliable alternative to compete in the

Denver market will increase ridership, lower fares and reduce leakage to other regional

airports.  Based on past and current demand from the region to and from Denver, the

airport believes that this is a reasonable goal.  Denver provides a substantial amount of

connecting possibilities for passengers.  If for any reason during the course of the Plan’s

implementation there is a need to change or discontinue any component of the plan

due to service changes or any other circumstances, a modified project proposal will be

submitted to D.O.T.

PREVIOUS PROJECT GOALS

Sheridan County Airport’s 2012 Small Community Air Service Grant differs substantially

from the 2005 SCASD grant awarded to the state of Wyoming.  The 2005 Grant awarded

to the State of Wyoming used to correct the misperceptions about Wyoming’s air

service offerings through an advertising campaign.    That and increasing passenger

retention at all Wyoming airports were the two main goals of the proceeds from the

grant.  Although that award has proven successful for the state as a whole, the current

2012 proposal seeks to address the problems of decreased ridership and leakage that

are unique to Sheridan County Airport.  
15

PRIORITY SELECTION CRITERIA

A. Higher Average Fares

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, over the past five years, Sheridan’s

average airfares have exceeded the national average by up to $80 round‐trip, and have

exceeded the two closest large low fare airports of Denver and Salt Lake City by up to

$102 round‐trip.

Receiving a Small Community Air Service Development Grant to implement SCA’s

proposal will help to stabilize fares in the Sheridan community through an increase in

competition.  

B. Local Contributions

The Sheridan local community would contribute a total of $250,000 to implementing

SCA’s proposal.  The local contributions would come in the form of $125,000 in cash and

$125,000 as In‐kind contributions.  Of the In‐kind contributions, $60,000 would be in the

form of waived fees at the airport and $65,000 in the form of reduced advertising

expenses in the community.

C. Public/Private Partnerships

Sheridan County Airport will actively work with a number of important economic

partners in the area to support the new airline service.  These business partners have

historically assisted in the economic development and growth of businesses in the

Sheridan area.

Public Partnerships:

Sheridan County‐ As owner and operator of the airport, Sheridan County Board

of County Commissioners support all air service development efforts by the

airport.

City of Sheridan‐ The City of Sheridan supports all air service development efforts

of the airport.  The City will always use its authority to encourage passengers to

use the airport.

Sheridan and Johnson County‐  Sheridan County is home to Sheridan County

Airport.  Total population of both counties as of 2010 is 37,719 people.
16

Private Partnerships:

Forward Sheridan, Inc.‐  is an economic development organization in Sheridan

County dedicated to maintaining, developing, and supporting economic vitality in

Sheridan County.

Sheridan Chamber of Commerce‐  Prides itself on being the proactive voice of

local businesses, working for the promotion, protection, and prosperity of its

members and community.

Sheridan Travel and Tourism‐  This entity has worked in cooperation with the

airport over the years and has also supported the airport with grants to help with

marketing.

Others‐  Other local businesses that support the development efforts of the

Sheridan County Airport include: Holly Seed, Canyon Ranch, Eatons’ Dude Ranch,

Brittain World Travel, BHJ Realty, and Northern Wyoming Community College

District‐Sheridan College.

D. Material Benefits to the Local Community

If implemented, this proposal will provide multiple benefits to a very broad spectrum of

travelers.  Generally, it would consist of all people within a 60+ mile catchment area of

the Sheridan Airport traveling to virtually anywhere in the world, via the large hub

airport in Denver.  Retaining the large amount of leakage would help keep money in the

community.    Implementation of this proposal would increase competition, decreasing

average airfares, reduce leakage, and most likely increasing the quality of service.  Out‐

of‐state travelers would be more likely to travel into Sheridan with the increase in

reliable service and decrease in fares.  With some of the country’s best parks, tourism is

the second largest industry in Wyoming, and tourism in Sheridan would likely increase

with the proposal’s implementation.  
17

LETTERS OF SUPPORT