• New institute aims to boost Wyoming’s tourism and outdoor recreation sectors through education and innovation

The University of Wyoming has taken a monumental step in enhancing the state’s tourism and outdoor recreation sector with the establishment of the Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute. Funded by a generous $5 million donation from Jay and Karen Kemmerer, former owners of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, this initiative aims to elevate Wyoming’s outdoor recreation, tourism, and hospitality industries.

“WORTH stands for Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Tourism Hospitality,” explained Chad Baldwin, Associate Vice President at UW. He emphasized the potential for towns like Kemmerer to shine as tourism destinations, stating, “The town of Kemmerer, people don’t really think of it necessarily as a tourism town, but why not? We have potential across Wyoming to capture and keep more tourists and have them spend money and see what a beautiful state we have.”

The newly formed institute will build on the foundation laid by the WORTH Initiative, which began in 2021 under the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources. This transition will allow for expanded programs and services, addressing the growing demand for skilled graduates in a sector that employs over 33,000 people and generated $4.8 billion in revenue in 2023.

Director Dan McCoy expressed excitement about the resources available to enhance programs and services that will benefit students and the state’s visitor economy. Key initiatives will focus on improving student experiences through internships, supporting faculty excellence, and advancing research in Wyoming’s unique outdoor sectors.

This investment supports education and fosters economic growth in the state’s second-largest industry. The Kemmerers’ long-standing commitment to Wyoming’s economy, dating back to the late 1890s, is evident in their significant contributions, particularly in tourism.