What's New? 

GRO-Biz Conference & Idea Expo

A can't miss for Wyoming businesses

Join U.S. Senator Mike Enzi and Governor Matt Mead for the 2012 GRO-Biz Conference and Idea Expo to learn how to sell your products in a multi-billion dollar federal government market, attend workshops, and network with more than 50 federal and state government agency representatives and to learn more about the services offered through the Wyoming Business Resource Network.

For more information about the GRO-Biz Conference and Idea Expo Feb. 22-23 in Laramie, Wyo., visit regonline.com/2012grobizidea

Business Council News Highlights 2011

NEW WEBSITE: The Business Council completed the redesign and launch of its newly improved website. New functions and features include powerful search capabilities, project and director listings that are linked to Google Maps, enhanced video content, social media integration and an intuitive interface that makes finding information about Business Council programs easier than ever. Visit website

LINKWYOMING: A statewide broadband mapping and planning project, LinkWYOMING's goal is to create increased access and use of broadband to better serve Wyoming residents. The state 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.

NCAR CONSTRUCTION: Major construction at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) - Wyoming Supercomputing Center is on schedule. The center will allow scientists to run complex computer models and processes to answer questions relating to climate change and weather forecasting. Wyoming is a prime location for this project due to the state's broadband services, inexpensive power resources and the local climate.

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.

FEATURED WYOMING BUSINESS:

Accentrix Horsehair Pottery

Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Glenrock, Wyo., Accentrix Horsehair Pottery is owned by Adele Young who creates one-of-a-kind pottery from a small studio in her home.

Dolphins statue

She mixes her own clay and uses a unique firing process. Each hand cast piece is pulled from the kiln while glowing red hot. Horse hair and other organic materials are placed on the surface and spontaneously ignite. The black designs are the carbon that is left behind. No two patterns are ever alike. Her work includes vases, pots and lamps, as well as statues depicting wildlife, horses and rodeo themes. She also creates lovely hand-loomed knitted items and custom pet memorial pendants. Visit Adele's website for more information.  

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. 

FEATURED PARTNER:

Wyoming Market Research Center 

The Wyoming Market Research Center offers online research designed to assist companies in identifying customers and target markets. A variety of services are available, including:

• Competitive Intelligence
• Customer Markets
• Construction Project Reports
• Industry Developments & Trends
• Website Optimization
• Survey Development
• E-Business Opportunity Analysis
• Geocoding/Mapping
• Local, State and National Demographic Trends
• Federal and State Regulations

All services are free of charge. For more information visit the Wyoming Market Research Center website. For free consulting, contact Mike Lambert, manager, Wyoming Entrepreneur Market Research Center at 307-766-2688 or by email at mikelamb@uwyo.edu

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 

Welcome New Board Members!

Both the Wyoming Rural Development Council and Wyoming Main Street welcomed new board members in December. Patrick Henderson, executive director of Whitney Benefits of Sheridan, Wyo., is the newest WRDC board member and Scott Balyo, executive director of the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce is Wyoming Main Street's newest advisory board member.

Wyoming Point-in-Time and Housing Inventory Counts

The annual Point-in-Time and Housing Inventory Counts will take place in Wyoming Wednesday, Jan. 25. Partners from across the state will work together to count the number of homeless people in Wyoming. An unsheltered, or street count will be taken as well as a count of those that are sheltered. An inventory of beds available for Wyoming's homeless will also be included in this count. If you have any questions or would like to participate in this year's count contact Mary Randolph at 307-777-6430 or Britta Fuller at 307-777-5271.

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 your EQ? (*energy quotient)

Find out with an energy audit! Applications are now available for Wyoming businesses and non-profits. Receive up to a 75 percent reimbursement on an energy audit. Your business may be eligible for funds to help with the energy improvements, too. Apply online. Visit energywisewyoming.com for more information.

Agribusiness News

• Gain improved understanding of market volatility and the reason markets change.
• Complete break-even worksheets and determine profitability objectives.
• Participate in group marketing discussion and apply marketing principles for specific operations needed.
• Develop marketing plans to describe how to utilize cash markets and cash contract, utilize risk management tools - insurance, hedging and carry markets, etc. - to ensure profitability.

More information 

Regional Offices

The Business Council has seven regional directors that live and work in their region. They help businesses, local governments and organizations overcome their development challenges.

Finding Capital

Often when a business owner contacts the regional directors it's because they are looking for capital to expand. Maybe the business owner was turned down by a bank or they are looking for additional options. The Business Council has several loan programs that can be combined with other programs to cover various scenarios. We can also connect business owners with local sources of capital. It is surprising to find out how many local governments and economic development organizations have revolving loan funds that can make microloans or fill the gap between conventional financing and equity. Regional directors also work with business owners to structure their expansion project in different ways to bridge financing challenges or to leverage different sources of capital.  

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