For immediate release: January 27, 2011
For more information:
Scott Balyo, Marketing and Public Relations
Wyoming Business Council
Office: 307.777.2851
Cell: 307.631.4681
Email: scott.balyo@wybusiness.org
Wyoming’s Business Resource Network helps businesses succeed, expand
By Bob Jensen
CEO, Wyoming Business Council
CHEYENNE - Every day, entrepreneurs around the country take the bold step of opening their own business. While many of these eventually become success stories, over a million U.S. businesses close their doors each year.
One way to help ensure the success of a new or expanded business is to establish it in a place that is both business-friendly and has a resource network in place to help it succeed.
Wyoming has long been recognized as one of the best states in the U.S. to start, expand or relocate a business. It consistently ranks in the top five nationally for having a business-friendly climate while placing an exceptionally low tax and regulatory burden on business owners.
Other distinct advantages that set Wyoming apart are the programs and services available to entrepreneurs and business owners.
Wyoming’s Business Resource Network provides an extensive array of programs and services, most of which are coordinated through the Wyoming Business Council, the state’s economic development coordinating agency, and the University of Wyoming Office of Research and Economic Development.
Being an entrepreneur is hard work, so the members of the Business Resource Network work hard to make it as easy as possible for someone to start or expand their business and be successful here. All of the components of the Network operate in a coordinated way to help small business owners succeed.
Whether someone needs help developing a business plan, wants to learn about financing options or needs market research to help support a desire to expand, there is a person who can help them. Our partners are strategically located throughout the state, in many cases in the same office as a Business Council Regional Director, so no matter where you are geographically, we have a local resource available to provide assistance.
The Wyoming Business Council operates seven regional offices, providing business owners with a local contact to help them navigate potentially complex information and options. In addition, Wyoming’s Small Business Development Center is another excellent place for entrepreneurs to receive assistance and advice. It has offices and staff across the state as well.
One business, LBI Renewable in Buffalo, Wyo., manufactures all-natural, environmentally friendly materials to mediate hazardous chemical spills and is a company that has worked with the Business Resource Network to help them grow.
In speaking with its CEO, Joseph St. Pierre, he said that Wyoming is a very friendly state toward businesses, and they have a lot of helpful agencies – the Wyoming Business Council being one of them.
St. Pierre said that LBI has been working very closely with the Business Council and Resource Network for three years and that Wyoming is probably one of the greatest states to be in business since it’s very cooperative in helping businesses grow.
If you are a business owner or entrepreneur and want more information about how the Business Resource Network can work for you, contact that Wyoming Business Council at 307-777-2801 or 1-800-262-3425, or go to www.wyomingbusiness.org.
The Business Resource Network includes the following programs and services:
Manufacturing-Works – Provides assistance to manufacturers and technically oriented businesses. www.manufacturing-works.com
Wyoming Business Leadership Institute – Held twice annually, the institute is designed to give executive leadership the skills and knowledge to strengthen their companies. Courses are taught by University of Wyoming faculty members. www.wyomingbusinessinstitute.com
Wyoming Chamber Partners – The organization for Chamber executives within the state, representing local business interests. www.wyomingchambers.com
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services – Delivers workforce coordination to build on the state’s economic success. www.wyomingworkforce.org
Wyoming Economic Development Association – The organization for economic development professionals in the state, providing leadership and support to foster economic development at the local and state levels. www.wyomingeda.org
Wyoming Market Research Center – Provides low to no-cost market research and analysis to Wyoming businesses.
Wyoming Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) – Helps Wyoming businesses compete for government contracts. www.gro-biz.com
Wyoming Research Products Center (RPC) – Provides assistance to Wyoming businesses and individuals in securing intellectual property protection. www.uwyo.edu/rpc
Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative – Assists qualified Wyoming small businesses and individuals in accessing funds available through the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. www.uwyo.edu/sbir
Wyoming Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) – Helps Wyoming small businesses and entrepreneurs with business counseling, management assistance and marketing assistance. www.uwyo.edu/sbdc
Wyoming Travel and Tourism – The state agency dedicated to promoting tourism and tourism related businesses in Wyoming. www.wyomingtourism.org
Wyoming Women’s Business Center – Offers Wyoming’s current and prospective business owner’s assistance including business counseling, training, technical assistance, mentoring, microloans (not gender specific) and networking opportunities. www.wyomingwomen.org
Wyoming Business Council
The mission of the Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. The Business Council, a state government agency, concentrates its efforts on providing assistance for existing Wyoming companies and start-ups, helping communities meet their development and diversification needs, and recruiting new firms and industries targeted to complement the state’s assets. For more information, please visit www.wyomingbusiness.org.
Robert Jensen, Chief Executive Officer, Wyoming Business Council
Robert Jensen joined the staff of the Wyoming Business Council in March 2004 and has served as CEO since July 2007. Prior to the Business Council, Jensen worked for 27 years with Fleischli Oil Co., a regional petroleum distribution company, the last five years of which he served as president.
Jensen is a 1981 graduate of the University of Wyoming, College of Business. In addition, in his business career he has helped coordinate the feasibility and planning process for redevelopment of the former Union Pacific Depot and Depot Square under the authority of the Cheyenne-Laramie County Economic Development Joint Powers Board, and was a partner in the renovation of The Historic Plains Hotel in downtown Cheyenne.
Jensen, a fourth-generation Cheyenne native, has been active in civic and economic development organizations and has served on numerous boards including Cheyenne LEADS, Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Cheyenne Downtown Development Authority, Laramie County Library Board, University of Wyoming College of Business Advisory Council, Wyoming Workforce Development Council and the Wyoming Chapter-National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Jensen is married and he and his wife Jill have one daughter, Jessica.
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For more information:
Scott Balyo, Marketing and Public Relations
Wyoming Business Council
Office: 307.777.2851
Cell: 307.631.4681
Email: scott.balyo@wybusiness.org
Wyoming’s Business Resource Network helps businesses succeed, expand
By Bob Jensen
CEO, Wyoming Business Council
CHEYENNE - Every day, entrepreneurs around the country take the bold step of opening their own business. While many of these eventually become success stories, over a million U.S. businesses close their doors each year.
One way to help ensure the success of a new or expanded business is to establish it in a place that is both business-friendly and has a resource network in place to help it succeed.
Wyoming has long been recognized as one of the best states in the U.S. to start, expand or relocate a business. It consistently ranks in the top five nationally for having a business-friendly climate while placing an exceptionally low tax and regulatory burden on business owners.
Other distinct advantages that set Wyoming apart are the programs and services available to entrepreneurs and business owners.
Wyoming’s Business Resource Network provides an extensive array of programs and services, most of which are coordinated through the Wyoming Business Council, the state’s economic development coordinating agency, and the University of Wyoming Office of Research and Economic Development.
Being an entrepreneur is hard work, so the members of the Business Resource Network work hard to make it as easy as possible for someone to start or expand their business and be successful here. All of the components of the Network operate in a coordinated way to help small business owners succeed.
Whether someone needs help developing a business plan, wants to learn about financing options or needs market research to help support a desire to expand, there is a person who can help them. Our partners are strategically located throughout the state, in many cases in the same office as a Business Council Regional Director, so no matter where you are geographically, we have a local resource available to provide assistance.
The Wyoming Business Council operates seven regional offices, providing business owners with a local contact to help them navigate potentially complex information and options. In addition, Wyoming’s Small Business Development Center is another excellent place for entrepreneurs to receive assistance and advice. It has offices and staff across the state as well.
One business, LBI Renewable in Buffalo, Wyo., manufactures all-natural, environmentally friendly materials to mediate hazardous chemical spills and is a company that has worked with the Business Resource Network to help them grow.
In speaking with its CEO, Joseph St. Pierre, he said that Wyoming is a very friendly state toward businesses, and they have a lot of helpful agencies – the Wyoming Business Council being one of them.
St. Pierre said that LBI has been working very closely with the Business Council and Resource Network for three years and that Wyoming is probably one of the greatest states to be in business since it’s very cooperative in helping businesses grow.
If you are a business owner or entrepreneur and want more information about how the Business Resource Network can work for you, contact that Wyoming Business Council at 307-777-2801 or 1-800-262-3425, or go to www.wyomingbusiness.org.
The Business Resource Network includes the following programs and services:
Manufacturing-Works – Provides assistance to manufacturers and technically oriented businesses. www.manufacturing-works.com
Wyoming Business Leadership Institute – Held twice annually, the institute is designed to give executive leadership the skills and knowledge to strengthen their companies. Courses are taught by University of Wyoming faculty members. www.wyomingbusinessinstitute.com
Wyoming Chamber Partners – The organization for Chamber executives within the state, representing local business interests. www.wyomingchambers.com
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services – Delivers workforce coordination to build on the state’s economic success. www.wyomingworkforce.org
Wyoming Economic Development Association – The organization for economic development professionals in the state, providing leadership and support to foster economic development at the local and state levels. www.wyomingeda.org
Wyoming Market Research Center – Provides low to no-cost market research and analysis to Wyoming businesses.
Wyoming Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) – Helps Wyoming businesses compete for government contracts. www.gro-biz.com
Wyoming Research Products Center (RPC) – Provides assistance to Wyoming businesses and individuals in securing intellectual property protection. www.uwyo.edu/rpc
Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative – Assists qualified Wyoming small businesses and individuals in accessing funds available through the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. www.uwyo.edu/sbir
Wyoming Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) – Helps Wyoming small businesses and entrepreneurs with business counseling, management assistance and marketing assistance. www.uwyo.edu/sbdc
Wyoming Travel and Tourism – The state agency dedicated to promoting tourism and tourism related businesses in Wyoming. www.wyomingtourism.org
Wyoming Women’s Business Center – Offers Wyoming’s current and prospective business owner’s assistance including business counseling, training, technical assistance, mentoring, microloans (not gender specific) and networking opportunities. www.wyomingwomen.org
Wyoming Business Council
The mission of the Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. The Business Council, a state government agency, concentrates its efforts on providing assistance for existing Wyoming companies and start-ups, helping communities meet their development and diversification needs, and recruiting new firms and industries targeted to complement the state’s assets. For more information, please visit www.wyomingbusiness.org.
Robert Jensen, Chief Executive Officer, Wyoming Business Council
Robert Jensen joined the staff of the Wyoming Business Council in March 2004 and has served as CEO since July 2007. Prior to the Business Council, Jensen worked for 27 years with Fleischli Oil Co., a regional petroleum distribution company, the last five years of which he served as president.
Jensen is a 1981 graduate of the University of Wyoming, College of Business. In addition, in his business career he has helped coordinate the feasibility and planning process for redevelopment of the former Union Pacific Depot and Depot Square under the authority of the Cheyenne-Laramie County Economic Development Joint Powers Board, and was a partner in the renovation of The Historic Plains Hotel in downtown Cheyenne.
Jensen, a fourth-generation Cheyenne native, has been active in civic and economic development organizations and has served on numerous boards including Cheyenne LEADS, Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Cheyenne Downtown Development Authority, Laramie County Library Board, University of Wyoming College of Business Advisory Council, Wyoming Workforce Development Council and the Wyoming Chapter-National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Jensen is married and he and his wife Jill have one daughter, Jessica.
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