Thermopolis (population 3,172) is  County Seat of Hot Springs County, Wyoming.  The town is situated at the confluence of two large river basins -- the Big Horn to the North and the Wind River to the South.  Hot Springs County's population is 4,809 (Wyoming has only 493,782 people).  However, about 80,000 people live within a hundred mile radius of Thermopolis.  This is the largest population in Wyoming within such a radius with the exception of the Cheyenne - Laramie area.  

Thermopolis is a prime candidate for growth because of its fundamental endowments, including a high quality of life, its  magnificent location, mild climate, healthy community attitude, and Wyoming’s business-friendly political-economic culture.  God simply isn't making any more country like this.

The local economy has historically been based on agriculture, tourism, and oil and gas production, but it is rapidly diversifying.  We are actively recruiting light manufacturing firms, companies whose business is telecommunications intensive, and businesses which can enhance our already outstanding amenities for destination tourism.

Schools are excellent, the work force productive, and the opportunity for low-cost business start-up and operation promising. There are no state or local income taxes – either personal or corporate – nor is there an inventory tax.  Wyoming’s state government is business-friendly, and Thermopolis is currently engaged in an aggressive economic development program, which has been instrumental in providing a  high-speed, broad-bandwidth wireless telecommunications system.  This system provides the means of overcoming an economic handicap -- our relative remoteness.  

Thermopolis' colorful valley is blessed with a wonderful micro-climate.  The wind seldom blows, little snow falls, and there is an average of 320 days of sunshine per year.  The Big Horn Basin stretches roughly a hundred miles north and south, averaging forty or fifty miles in width. Its 11,000 square miles are divided into four counties (Hot Springs, Washakie, Big Horn and Park) with a total population of about 47,000. Directly south of Thermopolis, moreover, U.S. Highway 20 winds through the 12 miles of the spectacular Wind River Canyon and into the Wind River Basin. Most of the Wind River Basin is in Fremont County, which has a population of about 34,000. 

The labor force within an hour’s commute of Thermopolis totals about 17,000. An important factor for would-be employers is the  significant level of underemployment in the region, with many people working at jobs below their qualifications and capacity because they wish to live here. It must be understood that driving sixty miles in Wyoming, with its low traffic volume and good highways, is about like driving fifteen miles in a metropolitan area. Again, the heavily impacted Front Range area of Colorado can serve as a labor recruitment area.

Throughout Wyoming’s history many of its brightest and best educated young people have found it necessary to leave the state to use their training to highest advantage. Many of these well-trained, experienced people would like to return home. Because of the small population in the state it is relatively easy to identify and contact expatriate Wyomingites with sought after skills. This population constitutes a potential, highly qualified addition to the state’s labor force. The development of Thermopolis’ telecommunications infrastructure provides the region with unprecedented potential for economic development.

The town of Thermopolis nestles in a valley of green meadows and red buttes, prominently including a distinctive volcanic plug called "Roundtop."  Circling around the base of Roundtop is a spectacularly-situated golf course.  Just south of town the Wind River emerges from a 2,000 feet-deep, sheer-walled canyon that is a geological textbook, exposing strata from more geologic periods than almost any other spot in North America.  

At a romantic spot called "The Wedding of the Waters," the Wind River's name changes to the Big Horn River, and it flows more placidly north through Thermopolis on its way to Montana. The Big Horn offers world-class trout fishing -- people catch lunker rainbows right in town!  

Looming on the eastern and western horizons are snow-crowned ranges of the Rocky Mountains -- the Owl Creeks, Absarokas, and Big Horns.  Yellowstone and Teton National Parks are both within a few hours drive.  Yellowstone is, for birds, about 90 miles north of Thermopolis, but even for earth-bound folks Yellowstone's East Gate is only a couple of hours away.

Thermopolis is home to Hot Springs State Park, named for one of the world’s largest mineral hot springs.  The park's amenities feature relaxing swimming and soaking in the warm mineral waters -- even in the winter time! Other prime attractions in town are the Wyoming Dinosaur Museum and its associated Old West Wax Museum and Cultural Center and a world-class Teddy Bear display.  The Hot Springs County Museum is one of the best small museums in the state.   

Thermopolis' high (4,300 feet above sea level) sunny, dry climate is probably the best in Wyoming: the average temperature in July is about 72, in January about 19.  The river, its numerous tributaries flowing down from the mountains, and Boysen Reservoir (20,000 acres about 20 miles south of town) offer white-water rafting, canoeing, boating, and fine fishing. Big game, waterfowl and upland game birds are plentiful, so hunting is superb.  Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are readily available in the nearby mountains.

A good bit of the nearly two million acre Wind River Indian Reservation, home of the Northern Arapahoe and Eastern Shoshone tribes lies in Hot Springs County, and Hot Springs State Park is Wyoming's by virtue of a treaty between the Shoshone Tribe and the Federal Government and a transfer from the Federal Government to Wyoming.