Wyoming is the most sparsely populated state in the Union, and its economy is heavily dependent on businesses involved in tourism, real estate, and mining, many of which are small-scale operations. If you own a company in Wyoming or you’re thinking of starting one, check out the Wyoming-specific funding options below. These grants and loans are available to businesses that operate within Wyoming’s borders.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Capital Access
Loan or Grant title:Wyoming Capital Access Direct Loan Program
The Wyoming Capital Access Direct Loan Program offers loans of up to $ 250,000 to individuals planning to start or expand a business within the state. To be eligible, a company must meet the Small Business Association’s small business size standards and must be able to demonstrate both a) a need for funding, and b) the ability to repay the loan.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Business Council
Loan or Grant title:SBIR Matching Grant Program
Any Wyoming-based business that has been awarded funds through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) federal funding programs may be eligible for a grant that matches the SBIR or STTR amounts. (Don’t know what the SBIR and STTR programs are? Take a peek here.) The grant money may be used to explore research and development (R&D) or the tech potential of an organization. The grant amount is up to $ 100,000 for first-time Phase I funding recipients, $ 70,000 for repeat Phase I recipients, or $ 200,000 for Phase II recipients. To be eligible, the business must be headquartered and registered in Wyoming, remain in Wyoming for a minimum of three years, and conduct its research activities there.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Department of Agriculture
Loan or Grant title: Specialty Crop Program
The Wyoming Department of Agriculture has opened a limited grant window for agricultural businesses to apply for a grant to extend the growing season of specialty crops. The purpose is to fund research projects that extend Wyoming’s short growing season, with the results to be shared with other producers.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Workforce Services
Loan or Grant title:Business Training Grant
Business Training Grants support Wyoming businesses seeking to enhance employee skills or address a specific skill deficiency required for their current job. Grant funds must not replace existing funds already earmarked for training purposes, and the skills to be acquired must better position the business to remain competitive in its industry marketplace. Funding limits are as follows: $2,000 per trainee, $3,000 per trainee for select industries, $75,000 per business, with all totals being per fiscal year.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Workforce Services
Loan or Grant title:Internship Grants
Internship Grants support Wyoming businesses in offering structured learning experiences, designed to improve work skills, knowledge, and abilities. Intern hours are capped at 480 over a six-month period, with businesses being reimbursed up to $18 per hour. Companies can host up to three internships per fiscal year. There is a short annual application window for this program, so check the webpage for up-to-date deadlines and requirements.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Workforce Services
Loan or Grant title: Wyoming Safety Improvement Fund
The Wyoming Safety Improvement Fund supports businesses seeking to enhance safety within their organizations through training or the acquisition of health and safety equipment. Grants of up to $10,000 are available and require a 10% matching contribution from the business. Businesses must be in good standing with Wyoming Workers’ Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, and with the Wyoming Secretary of State. Quarterly deadlines and application information can be found on the program website.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Business Council
Loan or Grant title:Large Project Loan Program
The Large Project Loan Program supports projects with a strong potential to create jobs, increase sales, and be completed as intended. The projected economic impact over a three-year period determines financing. Wyoming businesses with a total project cost exceeding $5 million are eligible to apply, with a maximum loan amount of $25 million. The loan amount can’t exceed 75% of the loan-to-value ratio, and a business must fund at least 25% of project costs via non-state funding. Loans may be used for working capital, equipment, inventory, or to purchase real estate or other fixed assets.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Business Council
Loan or Grant title:Wyoming Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund
The Wyoming Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund assists businesses in financing brownfield rehabilitation or cleanup projects. Businesses that revitalize abandoned or contaminated commercial or industrial spaces for profit are eligible to apply for a loan. Businesses can get up to 30%, or $200,000, of their principal portion forgiven.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Business Council
Loan or Grant title:State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
The Wyoming State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) helps businesses fund international marketing events. Companies can receive up to 75% reimbursement of their expenses, up to $5,000. The grant period ends September 30, 2025, so be sure to apply soon.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Business Council
Loan or Grant title:Market Expansion Grant
The Market Expansion Grant helps Wyoming businesses offset the cost of expanding into markets outside the state. Eligible businesses can receive up to 75% reimbursement of their expansion costs, up to $4,000.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Business Council
Loan or Grant title:Kickstart Grant Program
The Kickstart Grant Program provides grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to growth-oriented startups in Wyoming. To be eligible, businesses must be founded in Wyoming, have fewer than 25 employees (at least half of whom are Wyoming residents), and demonstrate potential for growth outside Wyoming markets.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Business Council
Loan or Grant title: 50/50 Financing Program
The 50/50 Financing Program helps Wyoming businesses looking to expand their operations. In partnership with a local bank, the Wyoming Business Council covers up to 50% of the business’s total project, up to $2.5 million. Businesses can use the funds for working capital, equipment, inventory, and real estate.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Business Council
Loan or Grant title:Succession Financing Loan
The Succession Financing Loan helps business owners transition ownership of an existing Wyoming business. Eligible business owners can get up to $500,000 to purchase a Wyoming business that has been in operation for at least seven years.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Business Council
Loan or Grant title: Contract Financing Loan
This Contract Financing Loan helps Wyoming businesses finance raw materials needed to take on larger contracts. Eligible businesses can get up to $200,000.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Business Council
Loan or Grant title:Main Street Loan
The Main Street Loan was created to help businesses finance building improvements to maintain their buildings’ historical character. The maximum loan amount through the Wyoming Business Council is $100,000, or 75% of the total loan amount, whichever is less.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Business Council
Loan or Grant title:Large Project Loan Program
Wyoming’s Large Project Loan Program is designed to support businesses taking on significant economic and growth projects within the state. These projects have the potential to create job opportunities, boost the economy, and enhance the value of communities. Eligible businesses need to spend at least $5 million on a growth project to qualify for a loan. The maximum loan amount is $25 million.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Business Council
Loan or Grant title:Value-Added Ag Loan
The Value-Added Ag Loan supports Wyoming producers, producer groups, and agribusinesses that need funds for machinery, equipment, or facilities. Eligible businesses can get up to $200,000 from the Wyoming Business Council.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Business Council
Loan or Grant title:Challenge Loan
The Challenge Loan program gives eligible Wyoming businesses up to $1 million in loan funds. There are several acceptable loan types under this program, including commercial loans, real estate loans, economic disaster loans, and natural gas fueling infrastructure loans.
Department or Agency: Wind River Development Fund
Loan or Grant title:Small Business Loans
Wind River Development Fund is a community development financial institution serving businesses on or near the Wind River reservation. Eligible companies can obtain loans ranging from $1,000 to $400,000 to use for working capital, real estate acquisition, and equipment and machinery purchases.
Department or Agency: Wind River Development Fund
Loan or Grant title:Small Business Agriculture Loans
The Wind River Development Fund gives agriculture loans to eligible farmers and ranchers on or near the Wind River reservation. Eligible businesses can get loans from $1,000 to $400,000 for working capital, real estate acquisition, equipment and machinery purchases, startup expenses, and growth projects.
Department or Agency: MoFi
Loan or Grant title:MoFi Business Loans
MoFi is an alternative small business lender serving businesses in Wyoming (and a few other states) that can’t qualify for financing from banks or credit unions. MoFi offers business loans starting at $1,000; businesses can use the funds to establish operations, expand, or purchase an existing business.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Smart Capital Network
Loan or Grant title: Growth Capital Program
The Wyoming Smart Capital Network provides eligible businesses with commercial loans for working capital, equip;ment, construction, and real estate financing. The maximum loan participation amount is $1 million. To be eligible, businesses have to be located in one of the participating counties and have fewer than 750 employees.
Department or Agency: Wyoming Women’s Business Center
Loan or Grant title:Lending Program
The Wyoming Women’s Business Center offers microloans to women-owned businesses in the state. Eligible companies can obtain loans ranging from $500 to $50,000 to cover startup expenses, expansion, working capital, equipment, and inventory.
