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Howdy Partners!
The lazy days of summer have finally arrived but the Wyoming Business Council is busier than ever. In this issue of the Council Connection we highlight the latest news about NCAR, the National Center for Atmospheric Research; LinkWYOMING, a statewide broadband mapping and planning project; GRO-Biz, our University of Wyoming and Wyoming Business Council Resource Network Partner of the Month; the new CDBG loan program for child care facilities; Main Street Program awards -- and more!
As always, we look forward to your feedback and would love to hear from you.
Until next time,
Your friends at the Wyoming Business Council
Contact us at
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What's New?
NCAR Construction on Schedule
Boulder County Business Report:
The future home of one of the world's largest supercomputers is almost complete outside Cheyenne.
Major construction at the National Center for Atmospheric Research-Wyoming Supercomputing Center is wrapping up this August, and crews will start to test the facility's infrastructure while administrators are set to select the supercomputer that will occupy the site this fall. Read More.
LinkWYOMING
The Wyoming Business Council and the State Chief Information Officer are working together on LinkWYOMING, a statewide broadband mapping and planning project whose goal is to create increased access and use of broadband to better serve Wyoming residents. With robust broadband connectivity, Wyoming can benefit from improved economic development, greater access to education and health care, enhanced public safety, better government efficiencies, enhanced agricultural applications, increased tourism and better access to telecommuting opportunities. Read more.
To learn more about the project be sure to attend one of the seven regional LinkWYOMING face-to-face meetings in a town near you. Meeting Schedule.
CDBG 2012 Annual Action Plan
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2012 Annual Action Plan for the state of Wyoming and the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice are available in draft form for the public to review and comment. The documents can be viewed on the CDBG Public Information page on the Business Council website.
Entrepreneurship Classes at LCCC
Mike Martin, manager of Business Finance, will be teaching three entrepreneurship classes this fall at LCCC.
Successful Entrepreneurship - focusing on identification of skills, personal traits and characteristics necessary to succeed as an entrepreneur.
Analyzing Business Opportunities - an introductory course that explores the small business climate and the forces that create business opportunity.
Creating a Business Plan - students evaluate a business opportunity, collect and organize research data into a marketing plan, and prepare a financial plan for the small business idea.
Each class runs eight weeks and earns two credit hours per class. Contact LCCC for registration information. |
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Upcoming Events
Business & Industry
July 7 - Webinar Series, Economic Gardening Project
July 22 - July 31: Cheyenne Frontier Days General Mercantile at Frontier Park. Store hours 11 a.m to 8 p.m. Over 50 Wyoming businesses offer unique Wyoming-made products.
Agribusiness
Farmers Markets Calendar |
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Wyoming First Program
The Wyoming First Program assists Wyoming companies with the identification and promotion of their Wyoming-Made products and services. To learn more about this program or to become a member, visit Wyoming First.
PROFILE OF THE MONTH:
Roast!
Located at the foot of the Big Horn Mountains in Sheridan, Roast! is owned by Jim and Caren Smith whose passion for coffee inspired their business. They offer custom coffee roasting and blending services and are capable of supplying restaurants and coffee shop/drive-thru restaurants.
The Smiths purchase beans from green coffee brokers who buy the beans from the actual growers in Brazil, Columbia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Hawaii, Kenya, Sumatra and Peru. Roast! offers a variety of beans ranging from mild to bold, including Peruvian Organic Fair Trade, Columbian Organic, Big Horn Mountain Blend and Tanzanian.
Roast! only ships freshly roasted beans. Package sizes range from small ¼-pound bags to large 2 1/2-pound bags. Larger quantities and wholesale pricing are available upon request. To learn more about their delicious coffee visit Roast! |
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Business Resource Network
The Wyoming Business Council's Resource Network partners provide assistance for Wyoming businesses. For more information visit the Wyoming Business Council's Resource Partner page.
PARTNER OF THE MONTH:
GRO-Biz Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
PTAC's mission is to assist existing Wyoming businesses with identifying and securing federal, state and local government contracting opportunities.
PTAC services include:
- Educating businesses about government contracting opportunities
- Identification of potential markets
- Helping you to decide if your business is a good match for government contracting
- Government contracting registrations
- Applying for certifications
- Bid or proposal development support
- Bid Match services at no charge
- Dodge Construction report services
- General procurement and business coaching
Services also include free one-on-one assistance, periodic training workshops around the state, and an annual procurement conference. Offices in Casper, Cheyenne and Thermopolis serve businesses throughout Wyoming. Visit GRO-Biz PTAC for more information.
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Main Street/Rural Development News
The Main Street Program provides Wyoming communities with opportunities to revitalize historic downtown districts.
The Wyoming Rural Development Council assists rural communities in Wyoming on such issues as land use, community development and leadership development.
More information
Main Street Programs Receive Awards
Three Wyoming communities were recognized recently for their innovation and dedication to revitalizing local downtown districts.
Rock Springs: The Wyoming Main Street 2011 Leadership Award was awarded to Jana Pastor, chair of the Rock Springs Main Street Program. She has helped raise funds for downtown improvements, as well as personally sponsored many downtown events. With her leadership, the volunteer base for the Rock Springs Main Street program has increased 50 percent. Watch video
 | | Jana Pastor of Rock Springs |
Glenrock: The 2011 Wyoming Main Street Innovation Award for an Aspiring Program was presented to the Glenrock Downtown Development Committee. Recognized for embracing and integrating all principals of the Main Street program into their own, this community has successfully implemented new and creative ideas with the help of many active volunteers and a dedicated program leader. Watch video
 | Glenrock Downtown
Development receives award. |
Dubois: The 2011 Wyoming Main Street Innovation Award for a Certified Main Street Community was awarded to the town of Dubois. The Dubois program was chosen for the dedication and hard work that earned the community the title of number two top Western town in the country by True West magazine. They have also developed a marketing theme for all town publications and created a signature community event. Watch video
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Dubois Main Street Program
receives award. |
Congratulations to Rock Springs, Glenrock and Dubois for their success and continued efforts in revitalizing their communities! |
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Investment Ready Communities
The Wyoming Business Council helps communities build infrastructure needed for economic development and provides community development resources so Wyoming towns, cities and counties may become "business ready." More information
IRC NEWS:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds come to the state of Wyoming from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. They are primarily aimed at bringing services, jobs and community infrastructure to low- to moderate-income citizens.
A new program will be available to the public in July: the CDBG Child Care Facility Loan Program. This program provides reasonably priced loans to licensed child care providers or to those who need facility upgrades in order to become licensed.
The purpose of this new program is to create jobs for low and moderate income citizens, to expand childcare capacity for existing providers, to increase the number of licensed providers and to alleviate greater workforce and economic restraints posed by the lack of available licensed childcare within Wyoming communities. For more information contact Sandy Quinlan (307-777-2825) or Julie Kozlowski (307-777-2812). |
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Energy News
The Wyoming Business Council administers the State Energy Office funded through the U.S. Department of Energy. The office works to expand opportunities for alternative or renewable energy use in Wyoming. More information
Moving Forward to Serve the Energy Efficiency Need of Wyoming
The State Energy Office has embarked on a journey to identify who it is and how it can better serve the citizens of Wyoming. Earlier this year, the office launched a market research effort to help it get a feel for where residents stand now on the subject of energy efficiency. The results of the research were presented to the State Energy Office in mid-June. Now, armed with this information the State Energy Office will begin charting a two-year messaging path. It has begun drafting its Mission Statement and is working with the Wyoming Business Council Marketing Department to create a recognizable brand for the State Energy Office. The final steps will be to create and implement programs to better serve the energy efficiency needs of Wyoming citizens. |
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Agribusiness News
The Agribusiness Division assists farmers, ranchers and agribusiness to develop and expand domestic and international markets for agriculture products; add value to assist livestock and crop products and provides agribusiness development assistance and leadership development opportunities. More information
Wyoming L.E.A.D. Program Seeking Applicants
Applications are currently being accepted for the Wyoming Leadership Education and Development Program (L.E.A.D.), an adult leadership program for agricultural producers and agribusiness men and women. The program develops communication and leadership skills for participants, and helps increase their awareness of agricultural opportunities. The application deadline for Class 12, which will begin in November, is Aug. 31. For more information contact Cindy Garretson-Weibel (307-777-6589).
Diversified Ag Tour Boasts Large Attendance
The 9th annual Diversified Ag Tour, hosted in June by the Wyoming Business Council and Wyoming Women in Agriculture, had a record attendance of 75 from across the state. Participants had an opportunity to see value-added ag-related businesses, as well as tour several diversified ranches. |
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Regional Offices
We operate seven regional offices throughout the state in order to serve you better. Your local regional director is usually your best source of information on our programs and services. They all have a wealth of experience and the local knowledge needed to assist you. Contact them today!
East Central - Kim Rightmer
Northeast - Dave Spencer
Northwest - Leah Bruscino
South Central - Pat Robbins
Southeast - Tom Johnson
Southwest - Elaina Zempel
West Central - Roger Bower
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Thank you for reading this month's Council Connection. Please send us your feedback. Contact us at info.wbc@wyo.gov |
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