SWEETWATER COUNTY — People are feeling a lot of uncertainty following WE Soda’s announcement that it will cut up to 350 positions and shift its production to a solution mining process.
Questions remain if WE Soda’s announcement is isolated or will be an avenue other operators in Wyoming’s trona industry will investigate as they continue dealing international competition and other factors impacting the business. Another question what the long-term impacts WE Soda’s actions will have on Sweetwater County. We spoke to a group of people during a labor demonstration Monday morning and asked them, “What concerns you about the future of Wyoming’s soda ash industry?”
Colleen Kincaid
“If one mine can do this, what’s going to stop the others?”
Mylynn Collins
“I worry about how it will affect local businesses. It’s important for us to support our community in times like this.”
Chris Leimback
“We want to make sure we can do it (the work to convert WE Soda’s traditional mine to a solution-based operation) locally so we can put Wyoming and Sweetwater County workers to work.”
Jacob Kerney
“Mostly how it’s going to affect our economy and our taxes.”
Tricia Agerton
“I’m concerned about it collapsing and what it’s going to do to the community.”
