SWEETWATER COUNTY — Local and state leaders have made their thoughts known about the recent layoff and transition announcement We Soda made Wednesday morning, expressing disappointment and concern about the 350 impacted employees and their families.

Keaton West, the chairman of the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners, said Craig Rood, We Soda’s director of public relations and government affairs, called him at about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday morning to break the news. 

“I’m a bit heartbroken,” West told TRN Media’s Al Harris. “It’s a bit hard to process.”

He said the news came suddenly and was the first time he heard about the company entertaining layoffs. He said the most significant issue is the loss of employment, calling it “a huge hit for Sweetwater County.”

The company is terminating 33 mine production roles, 43 mine services roles, 48 mine maintenance positions, 59 surface production jobs, and 37 surface maintenance jobs. Those positions are expected to close between Jan. 4-17, 2027. 

“WE Soda is treating the event as a plant closing of the conventional underground mining operating unit, carried out in phases, and/or a mass layoff,” the company wrote in its Federal WARN Notice to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. 

West said the county will need to look at what We Soda’s decision means for the county’s future. The county relies on the minerals industries for funding its operations, and the downturn in the soda ash industry has impacted county revenues. 

“It’s not good news and we have concerns and want to dig in and learn more about it,” West said.

Rock Springs Mayor Max Mickelson also expressed concerns about the impacted employees.

“These are our friends and neighbors, and the loss of good-paying jobs has consequences that extend well beyond the employees themselves. It affects families, local businesses, and the economic stability of our entire community,” Mickelson said.

He said the economic pressures impacting the soda ash industry have been developing for some time, saying the announcement is disappointing, but the challenges impacting the soda ash industry are not unexpected. Mickelson said the soda ash industry’s struggles are a reason he has worked toward realistic financial planning and long-term fiscal sustainability for Rock Springs.

“We cannot control global markets or the decisions of private employers, but we can control how responsibly we prepare for changing economic conditions,” Mickelson said. “Our obligation is to maintain essential services, manage public resources carefully, and work with our local and state partners to support affected workers and encourage continued economic opportunity.” 

He said Rock Springs has faced difficult economic circumstances before and praised the area’s capable workforce and strong community.

“We need to approach this challenge with clear eyes, compassion for those affected, and a commitment to doing the work necessary to protect our community’s future,” he said.

Governor Mark Grodon spoke with Harris Wednesday morning, saying he was notified of the decision “a day or so ago.” Gordon pointed to competition from China as a major factor in the challenges We Soda and other soda ash companies face. He said a new Chinese mine opened and has produced a “prodigious” amount of trona for soda ash. 

“It speaks to the fact that we don’t have many friends in China,” Gordon said.

He said the decision is incredibly sad, but the shift is designed to make We Soda’s operation more cost-efficient. He said the state isn’t giving up on the miners that will be displaced through We Soda’s shift. He also said the situation will have a huge impact on the state. Gordon thanked We Soda for how it is handling the staff reduction, mentioning the owner of the Black Jewel mine in Campbell County had simply locked the gate leading to the mine when the company shut down. 

“We Soda has given up a bit of a chance to get our ducks in a row,” he said. 

Gordon said the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services is mobilizing services to help impacted workers, while the state also will contact the U.S. Department of Labor for potential funding assistance. He also said he spoke with Western Wyoming College President Kirk Young about We Soda retraining some employees to continue working for the company.