1. Wyoming Community Assessments – Phase 2 A project made possible by a grant awarded by the USDA to the Wyoming Community Network

2. Grant Partners Wyoming Chamber of Commerce Executives Wyoming Economic Development Association Wyoming Association of Municipalities Wyoming Business Council Energy Division Wyoming Rural Development Council Manufacturing-Works Small Business Development Center CANDO (Converse Area New Development Organization)

3. What is the project? A hands-on approach to teaching community leaders to assess their own communities and learn to identify and address their needs. By providing this training, participants will learn to increase capacity for community and economic development and better utilize resources to help specific businesses grow.

4. Who is eligible to participate? 43 Wyoming municipalities with less than 80% of national MHI (median household income)

5. Phase 2: Group 1 Glendo Lusk Guernsey Hartville Chugwater LaGrange

6. What tools will be used? Community Assessments – Review existing assessments (or schedule one if not already done) – Assemble the appropriate team to address each rural community’s priority needs: M-W SBDC WBC/Regional Directors/Energy Office WAM WEDA WCCE CANDO/Economic Development Entities

7. Tools: Objective Data Develop and analyze data for each county (pull from Department of Employment, Workforce Services, Family Services, etc.) and purchase additional info as needed, including: Retail Leakage Commuting Population Demographics Business/Industry Data

8. Tools: Training Training – conducted by partners & will vary with each community to include – Strategic planning – Effectively using Objective Data – Business assessments Operations, equipment, products, markets, personnel – Reducing costs and facilitating growth – Utilizing statewide resources – Grant writing

9. Tools: Measurement/Deliverables Monitor the number of resources used to engage and assist local businesses and the business assessments conducted in each community. Each community will use and incorporate into their community planning process the objective data provided to them. Completion of one or more of each community’s priority projects as determined by their community assessments.

10. Additional Tools August 25-27, 2010 – Casper Innovation Engineering Leadership Institute 3-day Intensive Program for senior management that will change the way you lead your business. Scholarships available! Call Manufacturing-Works 1-800-343-1423 August 17-18, 2010 – Riverton WEDA Summer Economic Development Conference “Using the Building Blocks to Build Your Community” Scholarships available! Call WEDA 307-332-5546 October 18-24, 2010 – Cheyenne Grant Writing Training 4-day workshop that teaches tools and techniques for writing effective grant proposals. Call Wyoming Rural Development Council 1-307-777-5812

11. Additional Tools January 11 & 12, 2011 – Cheyenne WEDA Winter Economic Development Conference and Legislative Reception www.wyomingeda.org Scholarships available! Call WEDA 307-332-5546 WEDA 2010/2011 membership (October-September) Membership dues discount for 2 years