CASPER, Wyo— Wyoming Business Council said it infused almost $513 million into businesses and nonprofits in the last nine months to help them weather the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 900 of them were in Casper.
“Combining the relief funding with some of the country’s most business-friendly health orders allows Wyoming communities to start the year in a much better place,” said Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell. “However, we realize we’re not out of the woods yet.”
Wyoming was allocated the minimum $1.25 billion as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March, 2020.
During a Special Session in May, the Wyoming Legislature passed three bills to guide how that money was to be spent, initially earmarking $325 million for business and nonprofit relief through the COVID-19 Business Relief Program (BRP), which the WBC administered.
The BRP consisted of five funds: Interruption, Relief, Mitigation, Agriculture, and Endurance. In total, almost $420 million was awarded through these funds.
Overall, through BRP and additional relief programs including Connect Wyoming, the Wyoming Meat Processing Expansion Grant Program, the Energy Rebound Program, and the Hospitality Loss Relief Program,
$512.6 million was distributed statewide to eligible businesses and nonprofits. A summary breakdown of Business Council-administered programs is provided below.
In 2021, the WBC said it plans to “shift from recovery relief and continue its efforts with private businesses, industries, and communities to adapt, add value to Wyoming’s core industries, activate new sectors, and increase resiliency.”
“We understand the demand for additional assistance and will continue to work with state and federal stakeholders on any possible COVID-19 related economic development and relief efforts,” Dorrell added.
The WBC said it confirmed eligibility of businesses in multi-layered process that used a dozen databases in coordination with multiple state agencies, including the state Auditor’s Office.
Some initiatives included:
Connect Wyoming: $56.4 million for 33 contracts and projects “provided internet access in areas where there is no or little broadband so Wyomingites can access telehealth, and remote learning or work situations more seamlessly,” WBC said.
Meat Processing Expansion Grant Program: $4.8 million was awarded to 29 applicants to provide support for Wyoming meat processing facilities and Wyoming citizens impacted by supply chain disruptions and regional shutdowns of processing facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Energy Rebound Program funded 293 oil and gas projects totaling $30 million from 67 eligible companies. According to company estimates, these projects will provide more than 5,000 jobs in Wyoming and will produce over $150 million in oil and natural gas in the next year.
In December, Governor Gordon created the Hospitality Loss Relief Program to provide pandemic relief for hospitality businesses and nonprofits whose operations were interrupted by the reduced hours provisions in recent health orders.
Through the program, 144 businesses and nonprofits were awarded a total of $1.5 million in funding, WBC said.
