Local grants, advising and steps to start or grow Albany County businesses

1. Laramie Main Street Alliance / Downtown Laramie

The Laramie Main Street Alliance runs incentive programs — “loans, grants, and design assistance – to encourage thoughtful investment in downtown buildings and businesses.” Call 307-760-3355 to ask about program availability, how to apply, or to request their Welcome Booklet for new businesses and the Downtown Development Plan. The alliance stresses that “All our resources are FREE to any downtown business or building owner,” and it also offers marketing consultation and business-development classes tailored to downtown market niches and needs. Action steps: call the number above, download the Welcome Booklet from Main Street’s site, and sign up for their business email newsletter to track application windows and trainings.

2. Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network — Laramie office

The Wyoming SBDC Network provides “No-cost, confidential small business advising for all business life cycle stages, including pre-venture, startups, and established businesses; additional services for government contracting, government-funded technology innovation programs, and market research.” The Laramie SBDC office is at 406 South 21st St., Laramie, WY 82070; phone 307-766-3405. You can schedule advising for business plans, cash-flow modeling, loan packaging, or market research — all at no charge — and the SBDC also partners on local events such as the Small Business Showcase. Action steps: call 307-766-3405 or follow the SBDC’s Small Business Training portal to register for workshops and advising sessions.

3. Small Business Showcase (pitch + networking event)

Attend the Small Business Showcase to hear short pitches and build relationships: the event is scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 5:30–7:00 PM and is “presented in partnership with the Wyoming SBDC Network.” “Attendees will hear short pitches from local small business owners representing a variety of industries,” and the event “is all about networking” — you’ll have time to talk with presenters and potential collaborators. Registration is required; registration instruction from the organizers reads: “Visit Small Business Training – Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network to save your spot.” Action steps: register via the SBDC training portal, prepare a 60–90 second pitch if you want to present, and bring business cards or product samples for direct connections.

4. Albany County Library & Wyoming Library to Business program

Albany County Library lends equipment to help entrepreneurs create e-commerce-ready product photos — explicit loanable items include a lightbox, tripod, and tripod phone adapter “to take professional-quality product photos for e-commerce.” The library also offers access to research databases and referrals to economic development assistance organizations throughout the state; the Wyoming Library to Business program provides additional statewide resources. Action steps: visit the Albany County Library website for hours and branch details, reserve the photo kit before a product shoot, and ask staff for database access and referrals to local business services.

5. Laramie Chamber Business Alliance

The Laramie Chamber Business Alliance is a “member-based nonprofit with a mission to improve the economic well‑being of the city of Laramie and all of Albany County.” The Chamber is listed on Main Street’s resource page as a core partner for networking, referrals and local promotion. Action steps: consider Chamber membership for promotional channels and events, contact the Chamber through Main Street referrals, and look for local Chamber networking events to expand customer and vendor contacts.

6. University of Wyoming business and tech programs

Several UW units are listed as entrepreneur resources: the College of Business, UWISE Network, Entrepreneurship Program, Office of Engagement and Outreach, and the Wyoming Technology Business Center. These programs can help with commercializing research, accessing academic expertise, and connecting student talent to your venture. Action steps: reach out to the UW offices that match your needs (entrepreneurship mentoring, tech transfer, business coursework) and explore campus partnerships or student internships to lower early-stage labor costs.

7. Wyoming Workforce Services & Business Training Grants

Main Street’s resource list includes “Wyoming Workforce Services - Business Training Grants” and the state Department of Workforce Services’ Business Resource Locator. These grants are listed as local funding avenues for employer training and upskilling. Action steps: contact Wyoming Workforce Services through the Business Resource Locator to confirm current grant amounts, eligibility, and application timelines for training support.

8. Local Crowd Laramie (community crowdfunding)

Local Crowd Laramie is presented as a way to “raise money for your business start up or expansion.” Crowdfunding can validate demand and secure early customers while raising working capital. Action steps: research Local Crowd Laramie campaign rules, prepare a compelling campaign page with photos (use the library lightbox if needed), and build a local outreach plan before launching to hit funding goals.

10. Retail Coach (market data and leakage analysis)

Retail Coach is listed as a source of “leakage, demographic and psychographic data” — useful when choosing a retail location or refining product assortments. Action steps: commission a Retail Coach analysis (or request a sample report) to quantify local spend leakage and define target customer profiles before signing a lease downtown.

11. Manufacturing Works and industrial supports

Manufacturing Works appears on Main Street’s resource list as a local industry support; manufacturing-focused businesses should investigate tooling, supplier, and workforce programs. Action steps: contact Manufacturing Works via Main Street referrals to learn about equipment financing, training partnerships, or regional supplier networks.

12. State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)

The SHPO is listed among resources — relevant if your project involves a historic downtown building where preservation tax credits or design guidance could apply. Action steps: consult SHPO early for design review requirements, eligibility for historic tax incentives, and advice on renovating downtown facades.

13. Wyoming Business Council and Wyoming Main Street

Both the Wyoming Business Council and Wyoming Main Street are named as statewide partners that support access to capital, technical assistance, and Main Street revitalization programs. Action steps: use Main Street’s downtown tools in tandem with WBC programs for larger capital projects or community-scale redevelopment.

14. Wyoming Women’s Business Center and Wyoming Technology Business Center

The Wyoming Women’s Business Center and the Wyoming Technology Business Center at UW are listed as specialized supports — the former focused on women entrepreneurs and the latter on tech commercialization. Action steps: reach out to the Women’s Business Center for gender-specific training and mentorship, and the Technology Business Center for IP, tech-transfer or startup support.

15. Coworking spaces: Cotangent and the Durlacher

Cotangent and the Durlacher are listed as local coworking options on Main Street’s resource page. Coworking can lower overhead and offer networking with other startups. Action steps: contact each space directly (listed names on Main Street) to compare membership fees, conference-room access, and proximity to downtown customers.

16. Local marketing, events and placemaking supports

The Albany County Tourism Board (“Market Your Events”), Laramie Beautification Committee, and Doing Business in Laramie appear as practical partners for event promotion, beautification grants, and local regulatory guidance. Action steps: coordinate with the Tourism Board to list events, consult the Beautification Committee on storefront improvements, and use Doing Business in Laramie guidance for permitting and local compliance.