WEDA Success Stories

307 Auto Glass

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Vickie Andrews opened 307 Auto Glass in Sheridan in January of 2015. She has a large shop with an overhead door to accommodate bigger vehicles and trucks and can repair or replace auto glass, replace door window regulators and switches, as well as window motors. Andrews worked with Susan Jerke...

307Health – Dr. Robert Chandler and Dr. Michael Tracy

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Robert Chandler and Michael Tracy, both established physicians, concluded there must be a better way to serve their patients and began searching for an alternative approach to delivering healthcare. In the care model typically used in hospitals and clinics, workloads and paperwork make it difficult for physicians to give patients th...

42◦ North points toward success

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Rick Young is pleased with the progress of 42◦ North. But like a marathon runner, he wants to set a pace that’s sustainable for the long haul. “For now, we’re good,” he said. “We don’t want to grow too fast because I think a lot of small businesses make the mistak...

Absolute Flooring

Category: 2015 Success Stories

One in four Americans between the ages 44 and 70 are interested in starting their own businesses or nonprofit ventures in the next five to ten years. These “encore entrepreneurs” have an average of thirty-one years of work experience and twelve years of community involvement. Lee and Nani Goepfert fulfille...

Ahhhsome Relaxation

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Ahhhsome Relaxation is a private business that offers a safe, secure, stress-relief environment. It builds on the health spa concept to provide customers a retreat where they can immerse in a series of private stations, accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to members who pay a monthl...

Alpenglow Instruments

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Have you ever heard the phrase, “you’ve got your head in the clouds?” If yes, perhaps someone thought you had unrealistic expectations or implied you were day dreaming, but that is not always the case. A team of researchers at Alpenglow Instruments LLC in Laramie knows that having your hea...

Atlas Carbon

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Energy Capital Economic Development is assisting Atlas Carbon in seeking a $25 million loan from the Wyoming Business Council and State Treasurers Office Large Loan Fund. Atlas Carbon is seeking the loan to expand its activated carbon plant in Gillette. The company now produces about 16 million tons of activate...

Automotive Unlimited

Category: 2016 Success Stories

SBDC helps auto shop secure facility Jerrold Thwreatt was at crossroads. He had worked as the lead mechanic at Mike Repair’s, an auto repair shop in Laramie, for 21 years. When the owner retired, Jerrold bought the owner’s tools and decided to create his own business at the same location. Automotive Unlimite...

Baggs Testing and Rental

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Baggs Testing and Rental provides drilling, exploration and production rental equipment and personnel to the oil and gas industry throughout Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. The business facility is located on a 35.4 acre site on Highway 789. The well maintained campus has equipment storage, maintenance and administration buildings, and temporar...

Business Blooms at Dandelion Farm

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Dandelion Farm owner Teresa Tibbets views her fresh-cut flower business as a kind of tribute to the beauty that manages to blossom despite the hardships on the wind-swept Wyoming landscape. “Every one of our bouquets has a story,” she said. “Flowers grown in Wyoming battle wind, snow, freezes, and a multitud...

Career Change Pays Off for Buffalo Artist

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Starting a small business can be precarious, and success is seldom assured. Entrepreneurship by its nature involves taking the initiative to create something new, or something better, despite significant risks. Patty Bills spent 26 years working for various government agencies, including the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service...

Casper Downtown Development Authority

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Recognizing that public gathering places are a key element of downtown revitalization, Casper Downtown Development Authority has been working on a downtown plaza slated to open by summer 2017. The plaza, will offer free and low-cost events throughout the year and will feature a splash pad, ice skating rink an...

Chugwater Chili Foresees Nationwide Expansion

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Among top sellers at the Wyoming State Museum’s store in Cheyenne is one product you might not expect: a chili seasoning. Chugwater Chili sells a zesty complement to cuisine that has won devoted fans across the country. Beth Miller, the museum store manager, said while the seasoning is popular among tourists t...

City of Evanston

Category: 2015 Success Stories

The City of Evanston has developed events to support businesses and industries. These include a “Build Your Business Forum” designed for local entrepreneurs and retailers. Robert Condie from the SBDC in Rock Springs spoke to attendees, followed by a local panel of experts. The City also hosts a Business t...

City of Rawlins Roadway Project

Category: 2015 Success Stories

With sponsorship by the City of Rawlins and grant writing assistance by Carbon County Economic Development Corporation, the City was awarded a BRC Community Readiness Grant for $468,000. It was used to construct a new roadway with curb and gutter, water lines, lighting, fire hydrants and landscaping to connect Airpor...

Cody Coffee

Category: 2015 Success Stories

The Cody Coffee story began as a hobby for the stay-at-home dad of two young boys and quickly grew into a thriving business. Jesse Renfors roasted small batches of coffee for friends and family, but requests and word-of-mouth spawned the idea of making it more of a full-time venture. Renfors me...

Coffee Depot Overcomes Obstacles, Prospers

Category: 2016 Success Stories

When Crystal Shearer planned to open Coffee Depot, a coffee and food shop located in downtown Cheyenne, lenders viewed her idea with skepticism. People before her had tried similar businesses with mixed results. “It was a big, big hurdle,” she recalled. “They’d seen a lot of coffee shops not do wel...

Corner Market

Category: 2015 Success Stories

After working at the Corner Market for many years, Sarah Newell had the opportunity to purchase the local grocery store. The grand re-opening was held July 1, 2015. Currently, the store employs 11 people, including Sarah and her husband. They carry a wide array of produce and grocery items, ...

Cowboy Jones Carpet Cleaning, LLC

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Alan Jones used the guidance and assistance from the SBDC to build his own business instead of purchasing an existing business. SBDC Regional Director John Privette helped prepare a business plan using information from the Market Research Center. Financing was obtained through a local bank, cleaning equipment was purchased, an...

Customers Praise Complete Chiropractics

Category: 2016 Success Stories

After Complete Chiropractics opened in June 2016, it didn’t take long for positive patient feedback to start rolling in. “Dr. Jake Smith is an excellent chiropractor. I highly recommend calling his office instead of suffering! I have been to many chiropractors, and he adjusts my neck very gently but gets ever...

Davis UHB seeks bright future

Category: 2016 Success Stories

A Fremont County inventor has started production and sales of a patented device that safeguards water hydrant pipes while at the same protecting the workers who install them. Say the word “hydrant,” and many people are likely to think of a fire hydrant. In fact, hydrants can take many forms. ...

Denver Air Connection

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Sheridan has secured commercial air service with Denver Air Connection, a 30 passenger jet service, with flights to Denver twice a day. Commercial air service is a vital element of our business sustainability and growth efforts. Commercial service opens the door for many businesses that provide goods and services aroun...

Derma Bella Means Beautiful Skin

Category: 2016 Success Stories

When Bob Smith attended a high school class reunion in Sheridan, little did he know that in addition to the joy of catching up with old friends, the event would be good for his skin. Bob, who lives in Socorro, N.M., underwent months of radiation treatment for throat cancer. The therap...

Double D Ranch

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Dwayne and Denise Oldham have been in the agricultural industry for over 40 years. The family established the Double D Rancn in 2005. Their enterprises consist of horse training and sales, prospect show lambs and cattle, custom fed beef and hay production. In addition, Dwayne is also a former Wyomin...

EWC ATEC

Category: 2016 Success Stories

The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded Eastern Wyoming College a $1.5 million dollar grant to aid in the construction of an Agriculture Technology Education Center (ATEC). ATEC will be a 27,000 sq. ft. facility, possessing industry leading labs & equipment, and will link Ag educatio...

FURever Friends Showers Pets with Love

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Something unexpected happened to Mandy Vining on her way to veterinary school. While working toward a bachelor’s degree in animal science at the University of Wyoming, Mandy decided to accept an internship with a pet groomer in Lusk, mainly as a way to bolster her credentials before applying to veterinary school. Bu...

Firefighter Training Station Opens in Evanston

Category: 2016 Success Stories

A new firefighter training center officially opened in November. Located next to the fire station on Highway 150, the new facility will help to train volunteer firefighters throughout the county and possibly region. Built by a private donation from Richard W. Salmela, the multi-purpose center contains five rooms, an atti...

Fit 24 and Prana Fitness & Yoga

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Jake Snow opened FIT 24, a state of the art exercise facility, in 2008. In 2010, Snow added a new fitness alternative with the opening of Prana Fitness & Yoga. The two businesses were located in adjacent suites in a busy shopping center on Casper’s west side. As memberships i...

Fremont Frameworks

Category: 2015 Success Stories

In September 2014, Jared and Annie Scott were approached about purchasing Fremont Frameworks, the local frame shop. They spent time with the previous owner and felt that it was a viable business and one they would be excited to take over. With some business plan and projections assistance from Sarah Hamlin...

Gilette Budget Inn

Category: 2015 Success Stories

The Khan brothers have more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, owning and operating multiple properties in Wyoming and adjacent states. The Khans utilized the long-term fixed rate financing available through the SBA 504 Loan Program, administered by WIDC-Frontier CDC, in participation with First National Bank, for purchas...

Glenrock Completes Strategic Plan

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Glenrock Economic Development Corporation is a nonprofit organization formed in 1998. Community members came together to form the GEDC, a group that would pursue businesses that were appropriate for the growth of the community. Several plans have been completed over the years, such as business surveys and community assessments. In 2016...

Goshen Care Center

Category: 2016 Success Stories

GCEDC assisted the Goshen Care Center to secure a $2.7 M grant and loan package from the Wyoming Business Council to develop 6000sf+ kitchen and dining area for their Care Center residents. With this expansion of the Care Center, they were able to retain 67 full time jobs and creat...

Goshen County BRE Progress

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Business Retention & Expansion (BR & E) Goshen County Economic Development Corporation was able to secure a USDA RBDG (Rural Business Development Grant) to provide training, technical assistance, and professional services for private business. The program is helping to retain, expand and develop small and emerging businesses in Goshen County. Sinc...

Goshen County Quarter Cent Tax

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Economic Development Quarter Cent Sales Tax – Progress Program Goshen County Economic Development Corporation pushes funds back into Goshen County to enhance economic development projects, thanks to economic development quarter cent sales tax. Started in 2010, the Progress Program was created as a way to utilize economic development sales tax fund...

Green River Clock Tower Plaza

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Green River Urban Renewal/Main Street Agency opened the CLOCK TOWER PLAZA in June. The City of Green River received a $162,500 Business Ready Community enhancement grant from the Wyoming Business Council to redesign and construct the plaza. The improvements included the redesign of the main entrance, the addition of wate...

HQ Southern BBQ

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Doug and Hiedi Nicol of HQ Southern BBQ chose to partner with the SBA and Jonah Bank of Wyoming to finance their restaurant. “We worked with Dustin Porter for a guaranteed small business loan,” Nicol says. “It was really important to my wife and me that we work with ...

Haid’s Plumbing & Heating and SBDC Navigate Federal Application

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Support from the Wyoming Small Business Development Network can take many forms, from writing detailed business plans to answering questions about day-to-day operations. For John Haid, owner of Haid’s Plumbing and Heating in Casper, the SBDC’s help came in the form of navigating a complicated federal application process. The Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Smal...

Hanna Grocery Plans Expansion

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Grocery stores in Hanna have been difficult to own and operate. In 2012 there were no local options for the people of Hanna and nearby residents to shop for food as the rural market proved to be challenging to succeed in with a retail food business. Even so, Kyle and Amelia Youn...

Hanna Hometown Market

Category: 2015 Success Stories

After the grocery store in Hanna closed several years ago, residents were forced to drive to Rawlins for food. Kyle and Amelia Young opened the Hanna Hometown Market in July of 2015. Combined with affordable housing costs, Young felt a grocery store would help to revitalize the town and open i...

Heritage Woodworks, Inc.

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Heritage Woodworks, Inc. is a licensed general contractor offering custom residential construction, ranch development, log and timber detailing, reclaimed lumber, handcrafted furnishings, and custom milling. Owners Matt and Kristin Hill relocated from Bozeman. Their style is unique to the area as they utilize reclaimed wood, hand-hewn timbers, hand-scribed logs, recycle...

Hilltop Family Dental, LLC

Category: 2015 Success Stories

As Hilltop Family Dental, LLC, grew, the space the clinic occupied was no longer suitable to accommodate patient volume, additional staff, new technology and additional services. With long-term, fixed rate financing through the SBA 504 Loan Program administered by WIDC-Frontier CDC, in participation with ANB Bank, Doctors Doing and Gallu...

Hub Café Recreates Historic Atmosphere

Category: 2016 Success Stories

The Hub Café has opened a new chapter in its history by looking back to find its future. The restaurant has been in Margaret “Babe” Lynch’s family since 1963, and for many years, Margaret operated the Moorcroft eatery. Then for a decade, the café was leased, so Margaret was no longe...

Hughes Manufacturing

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Todd Hughes started his business 30 years ago making high end floor medallions that install in hardwood floors. His work is in the houses of all living presidents, the White House and buildings around the world. In 2015, Hughes Manufacturing caught fire, leaving only a partial skeletal structure. Hughes ha...

In Color Gallery & Design

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Laura Harmon and her husband Chris purchased a building on Main Street in Buffalo and opened In Color Gallery And Design, an art gallery and color design studio. She displays her own work, which includes painted floor cloths and repurposed furniture. Harmon also offers interior design services to residential an...

JR’s Laser Tag Brings the Fun to You

Category: 2016 Success Stories

For Sterling Albers, what had been planned as a smooth transition from his job as a coal miner to the family’s entertainment business became a harsh surprise instead. Sterling owns JR’s Laser Tag & Family Fun Center based in Gillette. Laser tag is essentially a game of tag played with lasers...

Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce

Category: 2015 Success Stories

The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce earned a five-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2015. Of nearly 7,000 chambers in the country, just 102 have earned the honor. Chamber CEO says the accreditation is about following the industry’s best practices. The application process includes essays and supporting dat...

Jackson’s Hole Bowl Fills Indoor Recreation Need

Category: 2016 Success Stories

After an absence of 15 years, a new public bowling alley with 21st century character has opened in Jackson. The Hole Bowl, a bowling and entertainment center located in the Powderhorn Mall, was built with strong community support. Owner Jessica MacGregor said private investors bought 220 shares for $12,500 each to hel...

Lander Cooperative Promotes Local Artists

Category: 2016 Success Stories

A cooperative designed to help local artists exhibit and sell their work celebrated its one-year anniversary in November 2016. Alchemy promotes and sells the creations of its artist-members. In turn, the members each contribute their time to operate the cooperative’s gallery, which is located at 320 Main St. in Lander. Alchemy organize...

Mighty Ducts, LLC

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Stephen and Jo Underwood formed Mighty Ducts, LLC, put together a business plan, and secured a loan for their first truck in 1999. Committed to quality service and high standards, they voluntarily earned certification through the National Air Duct Cleaners Association in 2000. The business grew quickly and they no...

Montessori School of Casper

Category: 2015 Success Stories

The Child Care Loan Program was a result of a Community Development Block Grant through the Wyoming Business Council. The program is intended for non-profit and for-profit child care operators to improve their facilities, increase their capacities and create jobs. Montessori School of Casperis a Preschool through Kindergarten 501 (c)(3) non-profi...

Moorcroft Field Lighting Project Committee

Category: 2015 Success Stories

In an effort to bring added service to the community, the Moorcroft Field Lighting Project Committee partnered with Northeast Wyoming Economic Development Coalition (NEWEDC) to add lighting to the youth sports complex. NEWEDC helped the committee make the application and solicit a grant for $47,000 from the Daniels Fund for th...

Mountain West Telephone to start trenching fiber to Goshen County

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Goshen County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce businesses and residents of Goshen County will have different options for broadband services in 2017. Mountain West Telephone will be bringing fiber from their Chugwater location which ties into the I-25 fiber corridor, to Goshen County. Torrington will see immediate improvement...

NEW Growth Alliance (North East Wyoming Growth Alliance)

Category: 2016 Success Stories

In August, a memorandum of understanding between Gillette, Buffalo and Sheridan was created and passed by all three city councils for the NEW Growth Alliance. The NEW Growth Alliance combines the efforts of the three communities to market northeast Wyoming as a prime location to expand or start a business...

Nana's Learning Center, LLC

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Seeing a need for early childhood education, as well as more child care options, in the Douglas area Nana's Learning Center, LLC opened in September of 2015. S BDC Regional Director Leonard Holler assisted the owner, Ariana Avila, with business planning, cash flow projections, determining the financial feasibility of he...

Newcastle Evening Art Studio

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Susan Love is a seasoned business owner and the executive director of the Newcastle Area Chamber of Commerce. In her quest to bring people together to create a more dynamic downtown area and to share her love of art, she decided to open an evening studio and offer canvas painting...

North Range Business Park Data Center Expansion

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Microsoft continues to invest in Cheyenne. The latest is a planned $274 million dollar and 120 acre data center expansion in the North Range Business Park. This is the third land expansion since Microsoft announced in 2012 it would be building a data center in Wyoming, bringing their total investmen...

Once Upon a Child - Casper

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Cheryl Pesicka purchased Once Upon a Child in Casper because she was retiring from government employment but wasn’t ready to stop working. She entered a U.S. Small Business Administration mentoring program for “encore entrepreneurs” and started to think about her next steps. Leonard Holler, SBDC Regional Director, gave advice on th...

One Eyed Buffalo Brewing Company

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Owners Damien and Tanya Oliver opened One Eyed Buffalo Brewing Company on May 1 of 2015 after more than a year of planning. SBDC Regional Director Bruce Morse assisted them with fine tuning their business plan and ordered additional research on the community and industry from the Wyoming Entrepreneur Marke...

Peas in a Pod Child Care

Category: 2015 Success Stories

The Childcare Loan Program was a result of a Community Development Block Grant through the Wyoming Business Council to increase the availability of licensed childcare facilities in the state. The Wyoming Women’s Business Center was awarded the contract. The program is intended for non-profit and for-profit child care operators to improv...

Powell Business Offers Artistic Haven

Category: 2016 Success Stories

When the owners of Gestalt Studios at the Polar Plant in Powell began planning their new business, they envisioned an enterprise that would be greater than the sum of its varied parts. So they created an art supply store and gallery inside a former meat-packing and cold-storage plant, a place wher...

Powell Welding & Industrial Supply Adds Products, Customer Appeal

Category: 2016 Success Stories

With an assist from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network, Gary Cole now runs the type of business he had wanted for years. Gary, who owns Powell Welding and Industrial Supply LLC, went to work as a welder’s helper after high school. Later, he took jobs in welding supply an...

Prairie Monarch Bison

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Dylan Handrich, owner and president of Prairie Monarch Bison is a University of Wyoming graduate in engineering. The ranch was founded in 1992 by Handrich’s parents. Over 22 years, the family focused on producing a sustainable and eco-friendly bison product. The ranch has grown to a thriving business, providing premiu...

Qdoba Mexican Grill

Category: 2015 Success Stories

As store manager of Starbucks Coffee in Sheridan which is located in a busy commercial center on Coffeen Avenue, Patrick Akers saw the possibilities for a Qdoba Mexican Grill franchise near this same location. Akers attended Qdoba’s six week training program and purchased a 31,632 square foot lot at t...

Quality Inn & Suites

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Zarif Khan has extensive experience in the Wyoming hospitality industry as the owner of multiple properties throughout the state, including the Quality Inn & Suites on Centennial Drive. The property is a three story, 72 unit property with easy access from U.S. Interstate 80, and easy access to the Universit...

Ramada Plaza

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Satwant Sran, the majority owner of the Douglas Inn and Conference Center, has purchased the Ramada Plaza in Casper. This hotel and conference center property was built in 1964 and is an integral component of the Casper’s downtown hospitality scene. The hotel features 200 guest rooms, indoor pool, business an...

Ranchester Western Motel

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Tom and Lynda Jolly have owned and operated the Ranchester Western Motel since 2010. The motel features 17 units, guest laundry facilities, and lobby breakfast area. The property is conveniently located off U.S. Interstate 90 on U.S. Highway 14 (Dayton Street). This main street through downtown Ranchester is highly travele...

Rawlins Sporting Goods Store

Category: 2015 Success Stories

After serving as a Deputy Sheriff, Ray Mathill and his colleague, Jerry Black took their retirement savings to open up a new SPORTING GOODS STORE in downtown Rawlins. They sell and service bows and cross bows with a 20 yard indoor archery range, and guns – both new and high-en...

Rocky Mountain Animal Hospital

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Jane Mohr is the veterinarian and owner of Rocky Mountain Animal Hospital (RMAH) which opened in December 2010 in a leased building. As a new small business owner, Mohr started small. She managed to run the business with three employees, one of which was herself. Business grew fast and Jane kne...

SEKO Forklift Established Headquarters in Rawlins

Category: 2016 Success Stories

SEKO Forklift Scales has established their new continental headquarters in Rawlins, (Carbon County) Wyoming. We are the North American Distributor for SEKO Forklift Scales, a precision, modular weighing system that provides 1/10% error (floor scale equal) accuracy to the convenience and efficiency of standard forklifts. The SEKO Forklift Scales are very accurate...

Sierra Trading Post

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Sierra Trading Post is currently working on an expansion that will increase its footprint by 350,000 feet, basically doubling the capacity of the current warehouse. Sierra Trading Post was the first occupant in the Cheyenne Business Parkway, a Cheyenne LEADS owned park. They employ more than 700 people and mor...

Small Businesses Making Big News

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Several new small businesses are making big news in Evanston. Costa Vida, a fresh Mexican-style restaurant, is scheduled to open in January in the Becker’s Circle plaza near McDonald’s and Subway. Similarly, Jimmy John’s sandwich shop is performing a significant remodel to the old Rancherito’s building on Front Street. They...

Solar Business Makes Renewable Footprint

Category: 2016 Success Stories

In a state dominated by fossil fuels, a Fremont County start-up hopes to carve out a market niche for solar energy. Fenton Energy provides solar power systems for agricultural, commercial, and residential customers. “Anything that needs to be electrified, we can put electricity to do it,” said Jim Fenton, a co-owne...

Sundance Wyoming…Where the Film Festival Isn’t!

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Sundance Wyoming…Where the Film Festival Isn’t! Let the name Sundance evoke images of a rowdy Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid leading the Wild Bunch on the longest stretch of train and bank robberies in Old West history. Then imagine serene Native American villages camped at the base of th...

The Bread Doctor is Just What the Doctor Ordered

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Torrington’s newest baker is one of the many entrepreneurs to use some of that economic development money to start a family business. Ezdan Fluckiger started the Bread Doctor as a home business after taking an entrepreneur course three years ago at Eastern Wyoming College. Goshen County EDC assisted with tuition...

The Wandering Hermit Books and Gifts, LLC

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Dan Brecht opened The Wander Hermit Books and Gifts, LLC in late 2014. The store brings much needed retail items and enthusiasm to downtown Wheatland. Leonard Holler, SBDC Regional Director, helped Brecht prepare for this business with advice on the develop ment of a business plan, finding suppliers, the federa...

Thermosolv Receives Research Funds

Category: 2016 Success Stories

In addition to bank loans, the Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network can help companies secure other types of financing. The federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program encourages U.S. small businesses to engage in federal research and development projects. Through competitive contracts and grants, th...

Torrington Eastside Industrial Park – Certified site

Category: 2016 Success Stories

The Torrington East Side Industrial Park recently underwent a two-year examination of every conceivable environmental, infrastructure and zoning consideration. The result is Wyoming’s second business park to complete the state’s site evaluation and certification program known as Wyoming Certified Sites.

Trading Computers

Category: 2015 Success Stories

After moving to Laramie, Scott Tafel taught himself to make a faster, more reliable computer which could support multiple monitors (up to six or more monitors on one computer) and a business was born. Trading Computers is a specialty manufacturer serving the needs of the financial industry. The business grew fas...

Turner Performance Bedliners Come to Southwest Wyoming

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Tim Turner of Bridge Valley identified a local need for spray-in bedliners, thus making it unnecessary for people to travel to Utah for such products. So in July 2016, he started Turner Performance Bedliners. Truck bedliners typically are coatings that protect the inner-side of a truck bed from damage. But Ti...

Turning Talk into a Profitable Business

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Judy Fossum uses her voice as a painter uses a brush. From a palette of inflections and intonations, she creates moods and colorings, conveys message and meaning, for her clients throughout the country. Judy owns Judy Fossum VoiceOvers LLC of Cheyenne. She provides spoken narrations for television and radio spots, corporate an...

USMC Adopts MAGPUL GEN M3 PMAG

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Magpul Industries announced that after years of US Government testing of various commercial magazines and multiple versions of the USGI aluminum magazines, the United States Marine Corps has selected the Magpul GEN M3 Window PMAGs as the only magazines authorized for combat use. Via official message traffic, DTG191737Z Dec 16, SUBJ/M4/M16 SERIES/M27MAGAZINE GUIDANC...

WC Sports & Western Wear Changes with the Times

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Small town retailers often must be as creative as they are flexible. A local grocery store might add a small hardware section, and then a coin-operated laundromat, just to keep the doors open. WC Sports & Western Wear of Newcastle evolved from a business named The Wedding Closet, which as th...

Wagner's Outdoor Outfitters

Category: 2015 Success Stories

After working in the sporting goods industry for over 17 years, Shawn Wagner has realized his dream to own his own business. With some inheritance money, he was able to purchase the old Timberline Sporting Goods, located on CY Avenue in Paradise Valley. Shawn worked with Cindy Unger at th...

Walshakie Medical Center

Category: 2015 Success Stories

The Walshakie Medical Center broke ground on a $23.4 million dollar renovation project in June of 2015. The facility is owned by Washakie County and managed by Banner Health. The renovation will include a new ER with added privacy, two operating suites large enough for today’s necessary equipment, two procedur...

Wasatch Railcar Repair Contractors, Inc

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Wasatch Railcar Repair Contractors, Inc provides railcar repair, railroad equipment restoration, and locomotive steam system construction and repair services. WRRC is a Cheyenne business started in 2005. In 2015, WRRC began managing a freight car repair facility in Shoshoni. The 22,500 square foot shop expansion offers services from car cleanin...

Westmoreland Considers Purchase of Haystack Coal Mine

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Westmoreland Coal Company is currently considering the purchase of the Haystack Coal Mine, located just 13 miles northwest of Evanston off of Highway 189. This mine was originally built by Kiewit in 2011. A road to the mine was constructed the same year using funds from the Wyoming Business Counci...

Wind River Job Corps Center

Category: 2015 Success Stories

In August, the first students began vocational training at the new Wind River Job Corps Center. “This first of its kind in Wyoming, the Wind River Job Corps Center is a fantastic program to ensure that the citizens of Wyoming have the skills and training they need to be leader...

Wolf Creek Radio Broadcasting

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Shawn Faxon, 28-year-old owner ofWolf Creek Radio Broadcasting and the man behind Hits 106 was born, raised and educated in Wyoming. He saw an opportunity to own his own radio station and jumped in. “I started with the terrible approach of using credit cards,” Faxon says. “Then I realized tha...

Wyoming Art & Frame

Category: 2015 Success Stories

After a year of hands on training in the framing industry, Allison Kalpin and her husband, Dustin, purchased an existing Gillette business, Wyoming Art & Frame. They took the reins in February 2015 and the business has exceeded their wildest dreams. “Upholding a reputation of quality custom framing for over 3...

Wyoming Bearing & Supply

Category: 2015 Success Stories

Jamey Fifield and Trent Keller started Wyoming Bearing & Supply in April of 2010. WBS is a wholesale distributor of high pressure hoses, custom hose crimping and cutting, belts, gears and valves to a wide variety of industrial and manufacturing operations throughout the region. The company provides 24-hour technical suppor...

Wyoming Dinosaur Center Plans Move to Business Park

Category: 2016 Success Stories

The Red Rock Commercial Center was completed in 2008. The 22-acre space was made possible by a Business Ready Community grant from the Wyoming Business Council. There were a total of 14 shovel-ready lots in the business park. The Thermopolis-Hot Springs County Economic Development Company (EDC), in partnership with Ho...

Wyoming Malting Company

Category: 2016 Success Stories

Wyoming Malting Company broke ground on July 1, 2016, in Pine Bluffs. The Wyoming Malting Company plans to produce malt for the craft beer and distilling industries. Additionally, they plan to distill their own liquor and serve that product on site as well as sell regionally. They will use locally grown products an...

The Economic Developer Toolbox

WEDA Success Stories

WEDA Success Stories