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Howdy Partners!
Welcome to the Council Connection, the official newsletter of the Wyoming Business Council.
August marks the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas
(Aug. 15-20) where representatives of the Business & Industry (B&I) and Agribusiness Divisions of the Business Council will be on hand to support Wyoming companies and the agricultural community. After a decade presence in various locations around the Wyoming State Fair Grounds, the Wyoming Products Pavilion has taken a new name and changed locations. The new Wyoming Mercantile will open its doors to fairgoers for the very first time under its new name, in its new building and new location on the Midway. We look forward to seeing you at the fair!
This edition of the Council Connection features the results of the 2011 Wyoming Manufacturing Survey; details about WYECIP from the State Energy Office; the 4th Annual Ag Photo Contest; and Merlin's Hide Out, a tannery business in Thermopolis and member of the Wyoming First Program.
We also extend a warm welcome to Dave Simonsen, the Business Council's new program manager in the Investment Ready Communities Division.
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?
2011 Wyoming Manufacturing Survey
Administered through the Wyoming Business Council Business and Industry Division and University of Wyoming partner Manufacturing-Works, the 2011 Wyoming Manufacturing Survey shows which goods and services are being procured outside Wyoming. It also identifies common trends leading to the creation of incentives that would encourage existing Wyoming businesses to expand, diversify and meet those needs.
The survey encompasses feedback from nearly 1,200 Wyoming manufacturing companies. See the official Survey Results at our website.
Governor Mead Special Guest at State Fair Governor Matt Mead and Mrs. Mead are anticipated as special guests at the Wyoming Mercantile ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas, Aug. 20 at 1:30 p.m. |
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Upcoming Events
Aug. 13-20 Wyoming State Fair in Douglas
Aug. 27-29 Denver Merchandise Mart featuring Wyoming First products
Aug. 31 The Main Street 101 Training in Glenrock
Sept. 1 Ag Photo Contest deadline
Sept. 7-8 Wyoming Economic Development Association (WEDA) Fall Conference - (Registration Form)
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:
Merlin's Hide Out
Located in Thermopolis, Merlin's Hide Out is a hide tanning business specializing in buffalo hides and robes. Each hide is of premium quality and unique in color, featuring long thick hair that is soft and supple.
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An authentic piece of American Western heritage, buffalo hides can be used as bedding, accent rugs or beautiful wall hangings. The company recently expanded its operation to include other furs such as badger, beaver, cow, coyote, deer, fox, mink and more. For more information visit MerlinsHideOut
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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:
Wyoming Research Products Center (RPC)
The Wyoming Research Products Center is the technology transfer office for the University of Wyoming and has an outreach mission to assist Wyoming entrepreneurs or inventors in identifying, protecting and commercializing their intellectual property.
Expertise:
- Reviewing new idea disclosures to evaluate innovations from a patenting, trademark or copyright perspective
- Educating entrepreneurs on how ideas are protected
- Helping entrepreneurs develop multi-layer intellectual property portfolio
- Performing comprehensive patent, prior-art, and trademark searches and providing reports summarizing the results
For more information about the Wyoming Research Products Center call 307-766-2520 or go to the RPC website.
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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
Wyoming Communities May Apply Now for Main Street Program
Wyoming Main Street is accepting applications from communities interested in participating in its program which uses historic preservation to help revitalize downtowns. Interested communities should submit a letter of intent to apply to the Wyoming Main Street office by Sept. 16, 2011. Read more.
Main Street 101 Training
The Main Street 101 training session for the Douglas, Glenrock, Platte County and Torrington region is scheduled for Wednesday Aug. 31 in Glenrock.
For more information about the Main Street program applications and the 101 Training contact Scott Wisniewski at 307-777-2934 or scott.wisniewsk@wyo.gov |
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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:
Welcome Dave Simonsen to the WBC Team!
Dave Simonsen is the new program manager for the Business Ready Community/Community Facilities Grant and Loan programs. He comes to Wyoming from Norfolk, Nebraska and has 12 years of economic development experience. Dave has a graduate degree from the University of Oklahoma in Organizational Management with an emphasis in entrepreneurial and economic development. The IRC is proud to welcome Dave to the team. His experience and enthusiasm will be a great asset to the Business Council. |
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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
What is WYECIP?
The Wyoming Energy Conservation Improvement Program is a performance contracting program that helps local and state governments identify and fund building improvements with resulting energy and maintenance cost savings. WYECIP began in 2006 and was re-launched in 2011. The program provides a list of pre-qualified firms that provide these specialized services and that have agreed to use template contract documents. WYECIP also offers a consultant resource to help during the performance contracting process. |
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Agribusiness News
The Agribusiness Division assists farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses in developing and expanding domestic and international markets for agriculture products, adding value to livestock and crop products, and providing agribusiness development assistance and leadership development opportunities. More information
Wyoming State Fair
Agribusiness is proud to celebrate the state's agricultural community at the Wyoming State Fair, Aug. 13-20. Events include the Hay Show, Farmers Market, and Wyoming Made products at the new Wyoming Mercantile.
The Agribusiness Division is seeking Wyoming Made products to be sold at the Wyoming State Fair Wyoming Mercantile. Contact Terri Barr at 307-777-2807 for more information.  | |
"Ram Royalty" by Cat Urbigkit
of Pinedale, Wyoming
2010 Grand Prize winner |
Ag Photo Contest Deadline Sept. 1
There's still time to submit your photos for the 4th Annual Agribusiness Division Photo Contest. Amateurs, professionals, youth and adults are eligible and there are no subject categories. However, all submissions must be agriculture related and taken in Wyoming. Submission information |
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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 (307) 577-6012
Northeast - Dave Spencer (307) 689-1320
Northwest - Leah Bruscino (307) 754-5785
South Central - Pat Robbins (307) 382-3163
Southeast - Tom Johnson (307) 766-5357
Southwest - Elaina Zempel (307) 877-2203
West Central - Roger Bower (307) 857-1155
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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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