CASPER (WNE) – The price of building is skyrocketing in Wyoming, driven primarily by the escalating cost of essential materials. Construction has borne the brunt of inflation in recent years, with the price of labor and critical components like sand, gravel, and crushed stone surging since 2019. This economic trend is intensifying the state’s housing crisis and casting a long shadow over ambitious infrastructure projects.

The U.S. produced a staggering $35 billion worth of crushed stone and sand and gravel last year, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. These materials are indispensable for everything from drainage and foundations to asphalt and concrete. Wyoming, however, is feeling the pinch more acutely. The cost of crushed stone here has jumped by a staggering 46.2% since 2019 – triple the national average. While the increases for gravel and sand are less dramatic, the overall price hike for these essential materials in the state stands at a hefty 22.3%, ranking 16th highest in the nation.

These mounting expenses are a key factor in Wyoming’s housing affordability crisis, prompting lawmakers to explore innovative solutions like new tax structures and federal partnerships for affordable housing on public lands. Moreover, the rising costs threaten to slow down the implementation of the Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, which allocates billions for critical infrastructure improvements across the country.