business

Entrepreneurship is thriving in the rural Mountain West, according to a new index released by the e-commerce company Shopify. The data comes as new business applications are on the rise nationwide.

The YES House began the business in the fall of 2022 in an introductory business class that teaches students about the skills that are necessary to operate a successful business. Originally an in-house venture, awareness of the business has spread throughout the community where deliveries are being made. Though uncertain of where its future is currently, there's talk of expanding to a food cart or truck to service local community events.

A new study reveals that publicly traded companies in the West rarely disclose risks posed by wildfires in their federal filings.

A new currency is gaining popularity in several states in our region. The company that makes it is using new technology to simplify buying and reselling a precious metal.

Bison Blockchain is constructing a facility just west of Cheyenne that will be Black Hills Energy's first customer under a special tariff that aims to help companies with high energy demands, such as blockchain ones. Around 45 megawatts is expected for use when the company begins operations, which could go as high as 75 megawatts depending on the company's future growth.

Last year, the University of Wyoming Sheep Program launched the UW Blanket Project. They designed, created and sold limited edition blankets made from the wool of the UW sheep herd. Now, that program has become the Wyoming Wool Initiative and it's more than just blankets.

A high speed internet provider is setting up shop in a handful of communities across the state. Bluepeak is investing $70 million to provide high speed internet to places like Laramie, Casper, Sheridan, Cheyenne and Rock Springs.

The Palms Casino Resort closed for two years after the COVID pandemic hit. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians bought it last year and its reopening makes the Palms the first Las Vegas casino to be fully owned and operated by a Native American tribe.

As of April 1, adults in New Mexico can buy recreational marijuana, making it the latest Mountain West state to legalize cannabis as federal lawmakers consider broader decriminalization. Under the new law, anyone 21 and older can buy up to 2 ounces of recreational marijuana, and on Friday many New Mexicans lined up to shop.

Wool that's produced in Wyoming is often sent out of state where it enters a worldwide market. Much of it is sent overseas for production. But one local business is trying to change that.