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Annual Impact Report: Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network

Thursday, January 14, 2021

As we continue into 2021, I wanted to provide you with the latest Impact Report from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network. The Wyoming SBDC Network provides no-cost, confidential business advising and technical assistance to all Wyoming entrepreneurs thanks to support from the State of Wyoming and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Since 1994, the Wyoming SBDC Network has added $303.2 million to the Wyoming economy through capital infusion. Last year, our assistance led to $18 million in capital infusion — a return on investment of 24:1 for Wyoming. More metrics can be seen below and in the full 2020 Annual Impact Report. If yo...

Weston County Gazette's 2020 Citizen of the Year

Thursday, January 14, 2021

By Gazette Assistant Publisher/Editor Nicholas Trandahl The year 2020 was one of uncertainty, and few, if any, institutions had to juggle that uncertainty more than our nation’s schools. Here in Upton, the schools of Weston County School District #7 served as a model for how to handle these unprecedented challenges. Though he surely and rightfully would credit the entire staff and faculty of WCSD#7 for tackling those challenges, we here at the Gazette would like to give some credit to WCSD#7 Superintendent Clark Coberly, our 2020 Citizen of the Year. A 1989 graduate of Upton High School, Coberly returned to Upto...

Governor Gordon Announces Assistance Program for Businesses Impacted by Early Closures

Friday, December 11, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 8, 2020 CONTACT: Michael Pearlman, Communications Director Michael.Pearlman@wyo.gov Governor Gordon Announces Assistance Program for Businesses Impacted by Early Closures CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon, the Wyoming Business Council, and the Wyoming Department of Health are all working together to quickly roll out a relief program to businesses that now have reduced hours of operation. Governor Gordon has maintained the importance of keeping businesses open, and while hours are reduced for the next several weeks this business support effort is critical. “I want to thank everyone for joining together to protect their communities and also to support local businesses,” Governor Gordon said. “We hop...

Governor's Hospitality Loss Relief Program Open for Applications

Friday, December 11, 2020

Governor Mark Gordon announced the opening of the Hospitality Loss Relief Program, which provides pandemic relief for hospitality businesses and nonprofits whose operations have been interrupted by the reduced hours provisions in recent health orders. Awards up to $50,000 are available for Wyoming bars, taverns, restaurants, or hotels that derive their primary revenue between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. from on-premises sales and consumption of malt beverages, wine, and/or liquor. The Hospitality Loss Relief Program opened Dec. 10 and closes Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. Learn more and apply here. A calculation worksheet, video tutorial, and frequently asked questions also ar...

Biden’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Friday, December 04, 2020

Inauguration Day promises sweeping change across the federal government—and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is no exception. Ajit Pai, the FCC’s current Republican chairman appointed by President Trump, will depart the agency on January 20, as is customary with past agency leaders. With his departure may come some sweeping changes at the Commission. The FCC’s current policy and enforcement priorities may shift, especially with the Republicans slated to lose their majority with the departures of Pai and Commissioner Mike O’Rielly (whose replacement Nathan Simington from the Commerce Department was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee). Under a Biden-Harris administration, Democrats will have a 3-2 majorit...

How is COVID-19 affecting student learning?

Friday, December 04, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced uncertainty into major aspects of national and global society, including for schools. For example, there is uncertainty about how school closures last spring impacted student achievement, as well as how the rapid conversion of most instruction to an online platform this academic year will continue to affect achievement. Without data on how the virus impacts student learning, making informed decisions about whether and when to return to in-person instruction remains difficult. Even now, education leaders must grapple with seemingly impossible choices that balance health risks associated with in-person learning against the educational needs of children...

Rural small businesses need local solutions to survive

Thursday, December 03, 2020

The COVID-19 small business crisis is prolonged and uneven, inflicting a disproportionate toll on microbusinesses in underserved communities that are the lifeblood of their local economies. While much attention has been paid to small business closures in urban communities across the country, the same dynamic is unfolding in underserved rural areas, with dire consequences. Still rebounding from the Great Recession, rural small businesses entered the COVID-19 crisis with compounding, preexisting vulnerabilities. Rural small businesses lack adequate access to capital and broadband connectivity, and are largely concentrated in the industries most immediately vulnerable to the pandemic’s effects. And just like in non-rural communities across the nation, minority-owned rural small businesses face heightene...

Funding Secured to Develop Upton Small Business Plan

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

The community of Upton recently received a boost to help spur local economic development, thanks to more than $40,000 in grant funding provided by state, regional and local sources. The Upton Economic Development Board (UEDB) pulled together the funding and resources to complete a feasibility study on local business assistance and attraction. The feasibility study will assist Upton develop a master plan to improve the climate for small businesses by addressing the needs of current business owners, while seeking to bring more businesses to the Upton area. The project is designed to examine existing business strengths, current and future needs an...

Farkas Adds Economic Development Role at UW

Monday, November 16, 2020

Steve Farkas, assistant dean in the University of Wyoming College of Business, is taking a new, additional role aimed at connecting the university with external partners in pursuit of projects to boost Wyoming’s economy. Farkas has agreed to serve as assistant vice president for strategic partnerships in UW’s Office of Research and Economic Development. His service in this capacity will be in addition to his ongoing role in the College of Business, where he leads the college’s strategy and engagement initiatives. “I am thrilled that Steve Farkas is joining our economic development team,” says Ed Synakowski, vice president for research and economi...

WEDA Members Achieve National Certified Economic Development Designation

Monday, November 16, 2020

Congratulations to Sharon Fain, Rocky Mountain Power VP for Wyoming, and Betsey Hale, Chief Executive Officer for Cheyenne LEADS, for achieving the designation of Certified Economic Developer from the International Economic Development Council. The CEcD designation recognizes qualified and dedicated practitioners in the economic development field and sets the standard of excellence within the profession. Candidates must pass a rigorous and comprehensive examination, which has three parts and spans two days. The exam tests a practitioner's knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the following key areas of economic development: business retention and expansion finance & credit analysis marketing and attraction strategic planning entrepreneurial & small business development managing economic development organizations neighborhood development strategies real estate developmen...

Upton Teacher is Light for Future Generations

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

This is the fourth article in a feature on the Women Business Leaders of Upton Teachers serve multiple roles in communities, often going well beyond their primary roles offering classroom instruction. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional challenges for teachers looking for methods to reach their students. One teacher at Upton High School, Karla Ludemann, gives her time and effort seeking fresh approaches to prepare her students for life beyond high school. “The new generation of citizens requires not just strong academic skills, but also curiosity, imagination, empathy, entrepreneurship, resilience, confidence and determination to create and manage their careers in new ways,&rdquo...

BLACK HILLS ENERGY ANNOUNCES CLEAN ENERGY GOALS FOR UTILITY OPERATIONS

Friday, November 06, 2020

CHEYENNE, Wyo. ? Nov. 5, 2020 ? Black Hills Energy today announced corporate-wide clean energy goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity for its electric and natural gas utility operations over the next 10 to 20 years. For its electric operations in Wyoming, South Dakota and Colorado, the company has established a goal to reduce GHG emissions intensity by 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2040, based on 2005 baseline levels. The company’s electric operations have reduced total GHG emissions by 25% since 2005. The company’s Colorado electric utility has achieved an approximate 50% reduction in GHG emissions since 200...

Blockchain And Bison Mix On The Western Plains Of Wyoming

Tuesday, November 03, 2020

In just a few years, the State of Wyoming has become synonymous with blockchain innovation, due in large part to its groundbreaking regulatory infrastructure for blockchain technology and digital assets. This extraordinary trajectory continues with the creation of the UW Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation which was announced today. The Center sits astride four UW colleges—including the College of Business, College of Engineering and Applied Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the College of Law—as well as the state’s community colleges. According to UW President Ed Seidel, the Center is interdisciplinary “because that’s how the world works.” Continue readin...

First Person: Effects of the Global Pandemic on Company Supply Chains

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

AD: Will more companies be re-shoring or near-shoring as a result of the global pandemic? Jensen: For certain, most companies are closely examining the options available to them to avoid future supply chain interruptions. Part of the challenge of making a decision on a future sourcing direction is that this story isn’t over. As the pandemic progresses, every week, sometimes every day, brings new information to light regarding risks associated with both the supply available for companies to transact business, as well as the fluctuations in the demand associated with their specific product offerings. It is very safe to say that at present...

Governor Gordon Directs CARES Act Funds to Assist Wyomingites Seeking Health Insurance

Friday, October 23, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 23, 2020 CONTACT: Michael Pearlman, Communications Director Michael.Pearlman@wyo.gov Governor Gordon Directs CARES Act Funds to Assist Wyomingites Seeking Health Insurance CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon has directed federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to assist Wyoming residents in signing up for health insurance. The Governor has allocated $600,000 for the effort, which will be directed to the Enroll Wyoming Program. The funds will be used to hire trained enrollment counselors to provide outreach, education and assistance, and to ensure Wyomingites are made aware of the upcoming Open Enrollment period (November 1- December 15). “Wyoming is facing increased numbers of uninsure...

The State Business Tax Climate Index Is Your Guide to Economic “Wins Above Replacement”

Friday, October 23, 2020

Earlier this week we published our annual State Business Tax Climate Index, which measures tax structure. It’s an extremely valuable diagnostic tool, enabling readers to compare states’ tax structures across more than 120 variables. Unlike most studies of state taxes, it is focused on the how more than the how much, in recognition of the fact that there are better and worse ways to raise revenue. Inevitably, though, the publication of the Index raises some questions, like: if Wyoming and South Dakota lead in the rankings, why aren’t more companies heading for the Black Hills? Tax competition is a little like WAR—not conflict, but Wins Above Replacement. The term comes from baseball...

Enduro Race Brings Big Attention to Small Town

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

For 25 years, professional motorcycle riders have come to Wyoming’s Black Hills just outside Upton to test their off-road abilities on the tree-lined tracks coursing over the native rocky terrain. On September 20, Upton will host the 26th annual Inyan Kara Enduro Race, an off-road, long-distance cross-country competition part of the Rocky Mountain Enduro Circuit. “This race has helped put Upton on the map,” said Debbie Douglas, who helped run the race with her husband Paul and others for over 20 years. “Everyone wants to be a part and to see folks get star-struck with the professional riders in town i...

Sisters Continue Upton Family Grocery Tradition

Monday, September 14, 2020

This is the third article in a feature on the Women Business Leaders of Upton Sisters Buffy Helwig and Jaki Gustaf knew that running the family grocery would be hard work and dedication. But in January, when they bought Joe’s Food Center in Upton from their mother, little did they know what the next few months had in store for them. “We were raised understanding that women know how to work hard,” said Helwig. “But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we had that comfort to fall back on that ‘girl power’ we had seen from our mother and other women in Upton.” Th...

Upton Makes Onshoring Possible Now

Thursday, September 10, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a crisis for businesses across the country. Of the U.S. manufacturing companies recently surveyed by Thomas, 60% reported COVID-19 business disruptions to their supply chains and product deliveries. Onshoring is one solution to reducing the risk of future disruptions and delays. Though companies may not be looking to move their entire operations back to the United States, opening U.S. manufacturing facilities as part of their global operations certainly is. In that scenario, Upton offers many onshoring advantages, such as an ideal location on a major transportation route from Canada to Mexico, a rail-served business park, ...

Youth Hunter Education is a Priority in Upton

Friday, August 07, 2020

What: 13th Annual Wyoming State Youth Hunter Education Challenge When: August 22 (Check-In at 7:00am & events begin at 7:30am) Where: Upton Gun Club Who: Youth age 18 and under Registration: There is a $10 entry fee and all participants must bring a copy of their Hunter Education Class card. Register online, download the registration form or contact Rick Rothleutner, YHEC Director at rrrothleutner@yahoo.com or 307- 281-9980 or Katie Simpson, Hunter Education Coordinator at katie.simpson@wyo.gov or 307-777-4542. Hunting in Wyoming is well-known as a large draw for recreational enthusiasts, many of whom begin hunting as a youth. Learning to hunt safely is important to continuin...

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