Outdoor recreation firms like Weatherby Firearms are headquartered in Northeast Wyoming for one reason – their customers love it here. Whether they’re hiking in the beautiful Big Horn Mountains, living the cowboy lifestyle on our trails, fishing, hunting, RV-ing, or flying – outdoor people are here. And if you make their gear, this is where you want to develop, test, and let your customers experience your product. Wyoming’s startup-friendly business climate doesn’t hurt, either. You’ll love building your business in beautiful Northeast Wyoming.

Wyoming Welcome Startups!

There’s a reason Kauffman ranks Wyoming fourth in early-stage entrepreneurial activity – behind only California, Missouri, and Florida. More people launch startups here, and more of those startups thrive. That’s because Wyoming combines a tax-free and regulatory-friendly business climate with special programs designed to nurture startups.

• Kickstart: Wyoming provides $5,000 – $50,000 grants to Wyoming startups with high growth potential and fewer than 50 employees.
• SBIR Matching Funds: Wyoming will match funds for state businesses that receive federal Small Business Innovation Research of Small Business Technology Transfer funds. Qualifying companies that commit to growing in Wyoming can receive matching funds of up to $200,000.

Wyoming Technology Business Center

The University of Wyoming operates the Wyoming Technology Business Center, including the Sheridan-Area Incubator. WTBC offers operating space for startups, as well as counseling to guide entrepreneurs through all stages of business development.

Area 59 Makers Space

Northeast Wyoming Technical College’s Gillette College campus operates Area 59, the state’s largest makers space. Members can access tools including CAD/CAM workstations and 3D printers to create prototypes, develop packaging, and more.

The outdoor destination for your customers – and for you.

In 2017, 8.7 million visitors spent $3.6 billion in Wyoming – more than $270 million in the three-county Northeast Wyoming region alone. They come to explore the mountains and canyons of the Bighorn Range and to attend destination events at the world-famous Cam-Plex.

If you’re an outdoor lifestyle entrepreneur, it’s probably because you love the outdoors, too. Needless to say, the same natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities that make Northeast Wyoming a draw for your customers make it a great place to live. And you’ll find affordable, dynamic communities with thriving economies and plenty of civilized pursuits too.

• Bighorn National Forest features 32 campgrounds, 14 picnic areas, 2 visitor centers, 2 ski areas, 7 lodges, 2 recreation lakes, 3 scenic byways and over 1,500 miles of trails.
• CAM-PLEX offers full-service recreational vehicle and camping facilities with more than 1,700 on-ground campsites. CAP-PLEX’s campgrounds host events ranging from recreational vehicle rallies, concerts and balls to the National High School Finals Rodeo.