Workforce Training and Loan Programs

• The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services offers employers financial incentives for employee training.
• Wyoming is the first state approved to license Georgia’s Quick Start Program.
• Wyoming community colleges and the Wyoming Business Council are participating to provide training in: (a) Customer Service, (b) Manufacturing, (c) Warehousing and Distribution.
• Wyoming Workforce Services Business Training Grants for Existing Positions can provide up to $2,000 per trainee per fiscal year for established Wyoming businesses with existing employees who need a skill upgrade or retraining in their current occupations.Business Training Grants for New Positions can provide between $1,000 and a maximum of $4,000 per trainee per fiscal year, depending on the employee's full-time status and wage amount. Grants for New Positions were developed to assist Wyoming businesses in two ways: Wyoming Business Expansion and New Business Recruitment. The Pre-Hire Economic Development Grant Program is designed to train skilled workers in a particular business or industry. Applications are completed through a partnering of four entities that contribute separate needs or services to the program. The WDTF is administered by the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, application forms are available at: www.wyomingworkforce.org. 
  
   Wyoming Business Council Loan Programs
  The Wyoming Business Council also provides loan programs for business: 
• Business Ready Community Grant & Loan Program
  This program finances publicly owned infrastructure.
  • Eligible Grant and Loan Activities – Infrastructure such as water, sewer, streets, telecommunications, rights-of-way, land, buildings, or amenities within a business park, industrial park, industrial site or business district or other appropriate physical projects in support of primary economic development.
  • Eligible Applicants - Cities, towns, counties and joint powers boards are the primary applicants for this program.
  • Eligible Types of Projects:
    • Business Committed Projects – An infrastructure project where an application has a business committed to expand or locate in the community. Limits: $3m grant to community, $1.5m low-interest loan per project with a 10% total project match. Requires mature Business Plan and financial information. Lease payments required on building.
    • Community Readiness Projects – The community wants to build infrastructure to ready itself for new business development under a specific strategy or plan of action. Limits: $1.5m grant to community with a 10% total project match.
• Loan Programs
  The Wyoming Business Council also funds the following business loans:
  
  • Wyoming Partnership Bridge Loan – The Business Council can participate with a local lender on a loan to a business. The state’s portion is up to 35% of the project with a maximum of $250,000.00.
  • Wyoming Partnership Guaranteed Loan Participation – The Business Council can participate with a lender that has secured a federal guarantee loan (i.e. SBA, USDA, etc.) to guarantee repayment of a loan made to a business. The maximum shall be 50% of the loan, or $500,000, whichever is less.
  Evanston has had a successful history with the Wyoming Business Council programs. The City of Evanston’s staff is familiar with the reporting requirements and have written and administered the Wyoming Business Council’s funding programs.

You can reach the Wyoming Business Council at 307-777-2800 or 800-262-3425