Campbell County has a Budding Entrepreneurial Community that Supports All Industries

The Gillette College Foundation - Office of Economic Transformation is investing in local entrepreneurs and developing a community where business owners can network, discover resources, and actively take steps to turn ideas into realities. Not only are these efforts transforming local towns and cities, but they are putting Wyoming on the map as an entrepreneurial hub across multiple industries.

“Wyoming is very generous when it comes to providing resources and services to entrepreneurs,” says Dana Miller, Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Coordinator for OET. “The challenge is connecting the two.”

The hard work by the OET and entrepreneurs who have new business ideas will have a noticeable impact on the economic development of Gillette and other parts of Campbell County. Keep reading to learn more about its initiatives and how they are paying off. 

Entrepreneurship is One of Three Pillars of Future Growth

The rise of entrepreneurship in Campbell County started with the development of a strategic plan funded by a three-year federal planning grant the Gillette College Foundation received from the Economic Development Administration (EDA). The county wanted to identify opportunities for Northeast Wyoming to transform and diversify the local economy and to lessen its dependence on a single industry due to the declining coal market. One of the top three opportunities was fostering entrepreneurship.

The next step was to identify barriers to entrepreneurship that prevented new business owners from succeeding. The OET discovered that while there are plenty of resources in Campbell County, many new business owners aren’t familiar with them. There needed to be a strong community that entrepreneurs and startup owners could connect with to gain support.

“We learned we can fast-track entrepreneurs by connecting them with the right people and opening doors for them that were unobtainable on their own,” says Miller.  

Essentially, OET along with community partners wanted to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem where business owners can grow together – and grow the local industries and economies of Campbell County in the process. 

A StartUp Challenge to Spotlight Entrepreneurs 

Helping Northeast Wyoming entrepreneurs find resources is valuable for growth, and the first step was to create the Energy Capital StartUp Challenge. In partnership with Energy Capital Economic Development, OET led a 2-month marketing blitz to recruit entrepreneurs for the program. That’s where the connections began. Participants shared their business plans, financing needs, marketing ideas, and goals for growth, then were graded against each other. There were three winners in the first year, all manufacturers, but each from a different industry (agriculture, energy, and entertainment).

“It was a diverse group and the amount of statewide & national recognition they received from the challenge press launched their businesses beyond their expectations,” says Miller. Two entrepreneurs have gone on to win additional capital grants through the Wyoming Business Council. The agriculture winner from a year ago now ships its products to all 50 states and to a few countries abroad.

The StartUp Challenge works as a beacon to attract other entrepreneurs who can participate or join the business ecosystem. Participants who don’t win still gain valuable insights, connections, and ideas to improve their business models. Outside of the StartUp Challenge, Northeast Wyoming business owners can participate in boot camps and other learning events to grow their skills.  

“Campbell County is now on the map for entrepreneurship due to the success of our Startup Challenge and having dedicated resources,” says Miller. 

OET is Seeking Startups for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Cohort 

Campbell County is starting to reap the benefits of investing in entrepreneurs in other ways. It is participating in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses cohort that selects 40 Wyoming businesses for a six-month program. This is a mini-MBA program to develop a five-year business plan that is free for participating business owners.

“The timing is outstanding,” says Miller. “This is the perfect opportunity to bring local businesses together.”

Wyoming startups can apply to the program today if they think they would be a good fit, or contact Dana Miller at dana.miller@transformgillette.net to learn more.

“Wyoming businesses and local governments are already noticing Gillette because of the OET’s initiatives,” says Brett Kahler, executive director of the Wyoming Economic Development Association (WEDA). “Participation in Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses cohort can elevate Campbell County and Wyoming as a whole on a national scale and showcase the value our state provides.”  

The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem is Just Getting Started

Miller and her team have done a tremendous amount of work to build Campbell County’s entrepreneur ecosystem, and they’re just getting started.

“Keep your eyes on us because there’s a lot more to come,” says Miller. “We are focused and have a community of entrepreneurs just waiting to be discovered. With support from our community leaders, Gillette College, the Chamber, and Energy Capital Economic Development we have a vision for our future and have the drive to make things happen.”

Keep Up With Other Growing Wyoming Communities 

Gillette and Campbell County have done an excellent job of fostering entrepreneurship, which will help the region thrive long into the future. New industries are forming each day as startup dreams become realities and entrepreneurs get the resources to succeed. WEDA cannot wait to see how this region grows, especially with the support of the OET, Energy Capital Economic Development (ECED), and Gillette College.

Learn more about the great things happening in Wyoming. Get to know our partners and keep up with the latest news. When we work together and share resources, Wyoming has unstoppable growth potential.