CHEYENNE, WYO. – The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) is making a strategic adjustment to the 2026 Business Ready Community (BRC) grant and loan program calendar. To best support Wyoming communities as they adapt to newly updated program rules, the WBC is combining the June 1 and Sept. 1 application deadlines into a single, focused deadline on August 1, 2026.
This decision is primarily driven by the implementation of the updated BRC program rules, which were signed into effect by Governor Mark Gordon on Feb. 27, 2026. The shift to an August deadline serves as a bridge, providing communities and local economic developers with the necessary time to fully understand the updated requirements and align their project proposals with the new state standards.
“Our role is to be a steady partner to Wyoming’s communities as they tackle their biggest challenges,” said WBC CEO Josh Dorrell. “By providing this extra time, we aim to ensure that local leaders can move forward with confidence. This combined deadline allows both our team and our partners to focus on the quality and sustainability of projects under the rules approved by the Governor earlier this year.”
Important Timeline & Updates
- Combined Deadline: Applications are now due by Aug. 1, 2026.
- Approval Process: Applicants will present before the WBC Board of Directors in December 2026 and the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) in January 2027.
- Application Updates: WBC staff is currently revising the BRC application to ensure full compliance with the new rules signed in February.
- New Guidelines: The WBC team is finalizing comprehensive program guidelines to help applicants navigate the new requirements and prepare for board presentations.
WBC Regional Directors and BRC staff stand ready to assist communities through this transition. We encourage all prospective applicants to reach out early to discuss project eligibility and ensure their project proposals meet the updated criteria for long-term economic impact.
Questions?
For more information or to begin the application process, please reach out to our team:
- BRC Staff: Noelle Reed, Grants Portfolio Manager
- Regional Directors: Find your local Regional Director
