Business Resources Put Success within Reach in Northeast Wyoming

Wyoming is a land of incredible opportunity, as expansive and inspiring as its vast open plains and iconic vistas. Lesser known, but perhaps of greater importance, is the fact the state is filled with enterprising individuals with unique ideas and inspiration to create. Northeast Wyoming is a microcosm of the entire state, with numerous organizations and resources all aimed at helping improve the economic environment and, ultimately, quality of life. Many advantages await businesses and residents choosing to locate and operate in northeast Wyoming. 

“There is a whole network of helpful people in northeast Wyoming who are eager to help bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and the resources they need to be successful, both through direct assistance and by extension of their valuable network,” said Cameron Anderson, co-owner with his father Jess, of Gillette-based AND3 Innovations, an early-stage business in wind turbine blade recycling.

Powder River Energy Corporation is proud to serve this vibrant and dynamic group of individuals, organizations, and businesses as they pursue their dreams and aspirations. The list below is just a snapshot of some of these collaborative Wyoming organizations that foster an environment where entrepreneurs can start businesses, small endeavors can grow, and large operations can achieve their desired success. 

Business Resources

Gillette is home to Energy Capital Economic Development (ECED), a nonprofit focused on business retention, expansion and recruitment in Wyoming. Its FUEL Business Incubator is a resource of workspaces, mentoring, business counseling, high-speed wireless internet, classes and events that help entrepreneurs and businesses with startups, operations and growth. Anderson and his father, Jess, were one of the three award recipients in ECED’s inaugural  Energy Capital Start-Up Challenge in 2023, supported through the University of Wyoming’s IMPACT 307, which seeks to catalyze innovative and scalable Wyoming startup businesses.  

“Just being associated with the challenge has led to more progress in the last 60 days than I was able to make in several years on this project. The experience has legitimized our business idea in the eyes of industry players & led to connections with a blade material supplier as well as a potential end-user of our product,” said Anderson. “While we are thankful for the award funding, the relationships developed as a result of the challenge are what will allow for our idea to grow beyond the concept stage.”

Area 59 at the Gillette College Center for Innovation & Fabrication is a makerspace for entrepreneurs, small business professionals and hobbyists to prove their ideas and generate business momentum. Equipment valued at nearly $1.5 million is available for use by members. It's also an excellent resource for introducing youth to STEM, robotics, virtual reality, and more. Learn more with this video.

The Wyoming SBDC Network is a collection of eight field offices throughout the state with business advisors dedicated to connecting businesses and entrepreneurs to the services and resources necessary to start and grow their enterprises.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBTT) programs are conduits between small businesses, research institutions and federal research funds. The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal coordinating agency collaborating with the Wyoming SBDC Network and the University of Wyoming to help entrepreneurs and small businesses fund their ideas into valuable innovations. 

Manufacturing Works assists manufacturers and producers via in-depth collaboration to develop solutions that improve their top-line potential and bottom-line growth. Since 2019, the organization has helped its Wyoming clients achieve nearly $110 million in new sales and create or maintain more than 1,000 jobs. Read about this Gillette company’s success with Manufacturing Works.  

Breakthrough 307 is a group of accredited individuals organized as Wyoming’s only angel investment group to provide early-stage seed capital to Wyoming companies displaying high growth potential. Additionally, entrepreneurs benefit from the ideas and experience of the supportive group. 

Wyoming’s low-income mothers have a resource in Climb Wyoming for the ability to achieve self-sufficiency. More than job placement, Climb Wyoming’s programming aims to change the generational cycle of poverty that so many people experience. Professional trainers provide industry-specific training, mental health services, employer matches and graduate services.

The Wyoming Business Council is the state’s premier organization that leads economic growth for resilient communities, thriving businesses, and opportunities for residents. With a focus on breaking down barriers to economic development, the WBC acts as conduits to financing programs and critical consulting services for businesses and individuals alike.

Locate to Northeast Wyoming Today

Northeast Wyoming is a boon for businesses, workers and families. Wyoming presents a favorable economic environment for businesses and residents, beginning with a low tax burden. Professionally, that climate is defined by the absence of a corporate state income tax, occupation tax or franchise tax. The Tax Foundation ranked Wyoming as the best state in the country in its State Business Tax Climate Index.  Coupled with a skilled workforce developed through generations of experience and a can-do government attitude toward business needs, businesses have a fast track to success.

But beyond the business potential, northeast Wyoming offers the opportunity for individuals to achieve a highly-sought superb quality of life. A similar personal low-tax burden exists, with no personal state income tax and a low cost of living led by low property prices. Precious low crime rates are of extreme value for healthy communities. Outdoor recreation abounds, hiking, hunting, fishing, and more, from the rugged beauty of the majestic Big Horn Mountains to the world-famous Devils Tower National Monument and nearby Missouri Buttes in the Bear Lodge Mountains to the open spaces and plains of the Thunder Basin National Grassland. 

Powder River Energy Corporation's dedication to the communities of northeast Wyoming goes well beyond the expansion of energy accessibility in the region. Contact us today for the assistance necessary to make your dreams a reality!