CHEYENNE Through the Business Relief Program, more than $419.9 million was awarded to 8,576 applicants with a total of 39,149 full-time employees. More than 7,000 unique Wyoming businesses (6,664) and nonprofits (396) benefited.
The Legislature initially allocated $325 million for the program and Governor Gordon shifted additional unallocated CARES Act funding to accommodate the high demand for relief assistance as COVID-related challenges persisted. Under the BRP umbrella, five funds (Interruption, Relief, Mitigation, Agriculture, and Endurance) targeted financial assistance to the diverse needs of industries, large companies, small businesses, and select nonprofits.
While operating continuously since the start of the pandemic, Wyoming’s trona industry suffered a significant decrease in the demand for soda ash due to the global impacts of COVID-19.
More than $500 million in federal funding helped Wyoming businesses in 2020
In the past nine months, the Wyoming Business Council has infused almost $513 million into the stateâs economy, helping businesses and nonprofits weather the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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In March 2020, the U.S. Congress allocated the State of Wyoming $1.25 billion as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
During a Special Session in May, the Wyoming Legislature passed three bills to guide how that money was to be spent, initially earmarking $325 million for business and nonprofit relief through the COVID-19 Business Relief Program (BRP), which the Business Council administered.
In the past nine months, the Wyoming Business Council has infused almost $513 million into the state’s economy, helping businesses and nonprofits weather the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March 2020, the U.S. Congress allocated the State of Wyoming $1.25 billion as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. During a Special Session in May, the Wyoming Legislature passed three bills to guide how that money was to be spent, initially earmarking $325 million for business and nonprofit relief through the COVID-19 Business Relief Program (BRP), which the Business Council administered.
“Thanks to Governor Gordon, the Wyoming Legislature, and our partners, we were able to place relief funding directly into the hands of businesses and nonprofits, keeping doors open and more folks employed,” said Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell. “Combining the relief funding with some of the country’s most business-friendly health orders allows W