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February is Career and Technical Education Month

Thursday, February 25, 2021

February is Career andTechnical Education (CTE) month. CTE is education that directly prepares students for high-wage, high-demand careers including health care, information technology, advanced manufacturing, hospitality and management, agriculture, family consumer science, and many more. CTE encompasses many different types of education from classroom learning to certification programs to work-based learning. Upton CTE teachers include Karla Ludemann, Aric Keller, Mary Rankin, Jenna Frederick, and Bill Dalles. Upton High School currently has 70 students enrolled and 62 of them are taking one or more CTE classes. Currently, Upton High School offers 56 CTE courses for students to take. Upton also offers explorator...

Report: Wyoming Airports Contribute $2 Billion to Economy

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Wyoming’s 34 airports generate more than $2 billion in economic activity each year, according to a Wyoming Department of Transportation study. The department’s 2020 review of the economic impact of Wyoming’s airports, the first conducted since 2013, also showed that the airports generate $87.7 million per year in state and local tax revenues. The study bases its measurement of economic activity on the payroll paid employees of airports and related businesses and those arriving at or leaving from the airports and the annual spending by airports, related businesses and passengers. It is based on figures from late 2019 and early 2020, before th...

Governor Gordon issues executive order for Rental Assistance Program

Monday, February 15, 2021

CHEYENNE — Governor Mark Gordon issued an executive order to allow the Wyoming Department of Family Services to begin its preparations to administer the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This allows the state to prepare its distribution plan for this program while providing the opportunity to work with the Legislature on details before launching the program, according to a press release. “The need for this program cannot be understated, but it requires significant work to run it effectively and that’s what begins now,” Governor Mark Gordon said. “Wyoming’s network of nonprofit and community service organizations continue to report statistics demonstrating Wyomingites’ nee...

Governor Continues to Relax COVID-19 Protocols as Hospitalizations Decline

Thursday, February 11, 2021

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon announced a continued relaxation of health orders as data from most Wyoming counties shows declines in both case counts and hospitalizations. Beginning Feb. 15 attendance limits for indoor and outdoor gatherings will increase, reflecting the state’s progress in its fight against COVID-19. Indoor gatherings that incorporate social distancing and face coverings are permitted for up to 25 percent of capacity or 500 persons, and outdoor gatherings of up to 1,000 persons. In addition, sporting events, artistic performances, restaurants and gyms all will see capacity limits eased. “We are making good progress against this virus. Levels are returnin...

Wyoming SBDC Launches Website to Aid Small Businesses

Tuesday, February 09, 2021

There is a new, no-fee e-commerce marketplace available to Wyoming small businesses from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC). They are expanding services through the CARES Act Recovery Program and launched shopwyoming.com. Read full article.

5 Tips for a Thriving Company Culture

Wednesday, February 03, 2021

Given the uncertainty businesses face in 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, company leaders are looking at every phase of their operation to determine ways they can improve. Workplace culture is one area commanding attention. As the virus caused business limitations and forced many companies to go fully remote in 2020, workplace culture was challenged in new ways. This was a reminder to company leaders to make this a priority, forcing them to find ways to strengthen it in the new year, says Mark McClain, CEO and co-founder of SailPoint and the ForbesBooks author of Joy and Success at Work: Building Organizations that Don’t Suck (th...

4 Keys To Startup Success In Crowded Markets

Monday, February 01, 2021

Many would-be entrepreneurs spend a lot of time trying to think of the next big thing. Most end up spinning their wheels and never getting a new venture off the ground. It’s hard to come up with an original business idea. However, if you look at some of the most successful businesses in the world, you'll find that they aren't based on new ideas at all. The truth is that you don't have to be original to start a successful business. Many startups succeed in crowded markets by doing their homework and executing their business plans. Nerd Wallet, for example, succeeded amon...

2021 GRO-Biz Conference Registration Now Open

Friday, January 29, 2021

Wyoming’s premier government contracting event for small business owners and entrepreneurs will feature expert speakers, unique networking opportunities and valuable assistance from several entrepreneurial organizations. Registration is now open for the 2021 GRO-Biz Conference which will take place virtually on March 9-11. This year’s event is offered at no cost and focuses on providing training, resources and matchmaking opportunities to help Wyoming businesses expand their market to federal, state, and local government agencies. There will be plenty of opportunities to network during the event and attendees will be able to choose from a large selection of workshops concentrating on: Government Contracting Legal Updates Rea...

Cities With the Most Construction Workers

Thursday, January 28, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had sweeping impacts on the economy and virtually every industry sector. While the construction industry has weathered the storm better than some hard-hit industries—such as leisure and hospitality—construction is facing some unique challenges. Construction companies are currently contending with project cancellations and delays, supply chain disruptions, and COVID infections among workers. Some parts of the country are more reliant on the construction industry than others, and some are facing worse COVID outbreaks and more stringent business restrictions, meaning the pandemic’s impact on the construction industry has had differential geographic impacts. While construction jobs account for 5.2 percent of all job...

Norman & Trandahl Sworn in at 2021 Initial Meeting

Thursday, January 21, 2021

By Ann Barker, Gazette Reporter The Upton Town Council held their first meeting of the year on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. Newly-elected Councilman Nick Trandahl was sworn in by Clerk Kelley Millar. Mayor Beck then proceeded to Annual Appointments. Councilman Justin Norman is the new Vice Mayor, and General Government and Fire Department Commissioner. Councilman Dennis Stirmel will now be the Police Department Commissioner. Councilman Joe Watt will continue to serve as Water and Sewer Commissioner. Councilman Nick Trandahl will be the Streets and Landfill Commissioner. Mark Hughes was reappointed as the City Attorney and Chris Ringer will again be the Municipa...

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...

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...

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...

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, ...

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