SBDC, Manufacturing Works and local partners tell appropriations committee statewide planning and infrastructure funding are essential

Representatives of Wyoming’s small‑business and manufacturing assistance networks, together with local economic-development organizations, told the Joint Appropriations Committee that a functioning statewide economic-development system must start with local and regional planning and consistent infrastructure funding.

Jill Klein, state director of the Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network, said the SBDC functions as an “umbrella” for entrepreneur services and reported the network served roughly 1,000 clients last year, supported more than $69 million in government contract wins and tracked services that translate into about 3,000 jobs supported across its programs. Klein described procurement assistance (Apex Accelerator), SBIR/STTR support and cybersecurity and AI training as key services for making early-stage businesses bankable.

Rocky Case, director of Manufacturing Works at the University of Wyoming and the state’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), told the committee that MEP helps manufacturers with lean processes, quality, automation and workforce readiness. Case said the program uses federal and state funding and partners with vetted third-party vendors so the state can offer targeted expertise without hiring specialists for every shop floor need.

Startup Wyoming’s Blossom Cole Lemley and Christine Langley described early work mapping founders across all 23 counties and pilot programming to build mentorship, capital education and commercialization pathways. Lemley said Startup Wyoming’s annual operating budget is roughly $500,000 and that the group is pursuing federal tech-hub and EDA grants, connecting founders to national labs and building an investor pipeline for rural scaling.

Local-government and practitioner groups (WAM, WCCA, WEDA and regional EDOs) urged a regional approach: Ashley Harpstra and Brad Enzi said projects succeed when communities have infrastructure-ready sites (water, sewer, roads, broadband, power), clear permitting, workforce and housing capacity, and predictable, transparent funding rules. Enzi urged that economic development be locally led but state‑supported to coordinate funding, permitting and long‑term strategy.

Committee members asked for specific data. An agency official provided broadband calculations: about 53,000 broadband-serviceable locations at roughly $4,877–$5,109 per location, implying capital costs around $260–$270 million (split roughly $70.5M CPF, $198M BEAD) and noting $52M in private provider match.

Public commenters reinforced the presentations. Beth Blackwell (Newcastle grants-and-loans specialist) argued that small water systems and SRF loan requirements make grants and regional planning essential for tiny communities; she urged planners on state payroll to help rural places prepare competitive projects. Chris Rodke (Fremont County resident) urged better public engagement and earlier release of project documents; he argued that public comment opportunities before votes, not only afterward, would increase trust.

What happens next: presenters asked the committee to preserve and better align the portfolio of state tools—technical assistance, competitive grants, site-readiness funding and flexible matches—so communities can compete for federal dollars and attract investment. The committee said it will use the testimony to shape interim recommendations.

Speakers quoted: Jill Klein (SBDC), Rocky Case (Manufacturing Works), Blossom Cole Lemley (Startup Wyoming), Ashley Harpstra (WAM/WEDA) and Beth Blackwell (City of Newcastle).