Investment to Help Fremont County Entrepreneurs
CASPER, Wyo., Oct. 27, 2020 – The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing nearly $100,000 in economic development on the Wind River Reservation and in rural Fremont county. The Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) received the funding through the Rural Business Development Grant program.
“Investing in the Wind River Development Fund is one of the many ways USDA supports rural small business activity in our communities,” said Wyoming State Director F.E. Wally Wolski. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural Wyoming in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural Wyoming thrives, all of Wyoming thrives.”
The Wind River Development Fund will use the grant to develop a financial training and business development program for emerging entrepreneurs in and near the communities of Ethete, Fort Washakie, Arapaho, and Crowheart, Wyoming. WRDF will offer at least 20 quarterly financial literacy and training session in conjunction with economic planning and development organizations, the Wyoming Business Council and the Wyoming Small Business Development Center. The program estimates it will reach at least 67 entrepreneurs across the noted communities and ultimately result in more than 20 business expansions in the area.
Wind River Development Fund is organized exclusively for the promotion of social welfare to promote community and economic development on the Wind River reservation through assistance to local businesses, tribal entities and individual tribal members. Since 2004, WRDF has received 10 RBDG awards totaling $1.01 million.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wy.
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