Competition Stiff For Business Ready Grants

Cheyenne, WY – Only about half of the funding for this year remains in the state's newest economic development program. Five Business Ready Community program grants have been approved so far. They were considered first because they would help existing businesses. But 15 communities are now competing for the four and a half million dollars remaining. Many will lose out because the total cost of the applications is over 13 million dollars. Afton Town Administrator Gregg Wilkes believes the Wyoming Business Council is running the programs backwards. Afton's application is for infrastructure to hopefully make the town ready to attract new business. He fears his town's application will be left behind due to funding constraints.