Wyoming Startup Business Builder Grant Program Supports Local Food Industry

Strategic Insights -

In 2024, the Wyoming Regional Food Business Center launched the Startup Business Builder grant program, providing direct monetary awards to small- and medium-sized producers and food makers to increase local and regional food supply chains and capacity. The program partnered with the University of Wyoming Extension and offered a free six-part educational series to grant applicants. The Wyoming Startup Business Builder grant application deadline followed shortly after the market course's final session in March, resulting in 24 projects being awarded funding for a total of approximately $313,000 in allocations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Wyoming Regional Food Business Center launched the Startup Business Builder grant program in 2024, providing direct monetary awards to small- and medium-sized producers and food makers.
  • The program had 24 grant recipients, with a total allocation of approximately $313,000, allowing them to expand their post-production operations.
  • Applicants could apply for up to $15,000 in funds, which were used for a variety of purposes, including the purchase of cold storage equipment and hiring marketing consultants.
  • Grant recipients were required to participate in a free six-part educational series, "Market Course: A Guide to Selling Wyoming Local Foods," hosted by the WYRFBC team and University of Wyoming Extension.
  • The program's goals were to increase local and regional food supply chains and capacity, and to strengthen Wyoming's food system independence and resilience.
  • The program had a net economic impact of more than $36 million annually to Wyoming's economy.
  • The grant recipients met virtually for follow-up meetings, which allowed them to ask questions about the reporting process and fund delivery, and to share knowledge, collaborate, and coordinate their projects.
  • Some of the specific grant recipients and their projects included:

+ Branch & Vine Herbs, LLC, which received funding to expand its local food access.

+ ETNSH Inc., doing business as Pure Oats, which received funding to retail expand its Wyoming Oats.

+ High Country Fungus LLC, which received funding to develop a mushroom extract product line.

+ Horizon Honey LLC, which received funding to expand its rural product delivery operations.

  • The grant recipients will continue to receive their awards in accordance with the RFBC's mission, despite the federal legislation eliminating funding for the RFBC.

Statistics:

  • 24 projects were awarded funding through the Wyoming Startup Business Builder grant program.
  • The total allocation for the grants was approximately $313,000.
  • The grants were used to expand post-production operations, including purchasing cold storage equipment and hiring marketing consultants.
  • The program had a net economic impact of more than $36 million annually to Wyoming's economy.
  • The grants ranged in value from $3,000 to $15,000.

Sources:

  • University of Wyoming Regional Food Business Center (WYRFBC)
  • University of Wyoming Extension
  • Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center (RFBC)
  • USDA
  • Meaningful Marketplace podcast
  • Northwest and Rocky Mountain RFBC's Impact Stories