American Rescue Plan

Mountain West states have millions of dollars left to help the student population experiencing homelessness and must decide where they’re going by the end of September. But they’re optimistic they can meet the deadline.

The Wyoming Grant Assistance Program offers grant assistance to state agencies, local and tribal governments, nonprofits and small businesses that face barriers to access grant funding.

The State Lands and Investment Board (SLIB) approved the funds needed to repair a failing million gallon water tower in Wheatland on Thursday.

The program services small businesses by providing free networking and goal management counseling. The program has helped secure $887,000 in commercial loans and has trained 300 Wyoming entrepreneurs on aspects of business finances to marketing.

Great Plains Hall in Arapahoe and Blue Sky Hall in Ethete on the Wind River Reservation are being renovated. Both halls have been used as emergency centers and community gathering places. The projects are funded by tribal funds and federal Covid relief money.

Currently, four companies–Tyson, Cargill, JBS, and National Beef–control 85 percent of the market. Last year saw the best year ever for beef sales, but for every dollar spent on meat at the grocery, only about $0.37 made it into the pockets of ranchers.

A virtual town hall was held last Friday, to update the public on the final recommendations that Governor Mark Gordon is proposing for allocating the American Rescue Plan Act funding.

A Wyoming Business Council initiative is trying to map out which parts of the state have reliable high-speed internet access, and which do not.