Investing in Wyoming: Amplifying Innovation and Opportunity Together

The Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP) is helping to grow and diversify Wyoming’s economy. By supporting education pathways, entrepreneurship, and research, WIP is cultivating a skilled and ambitious workforce that meets community and statewide needs. 

Since its inception, WIP has been focused on developing partnerships to attract private donations and funding that will supplement WIP funding and drive program sustainability. WIP-supported programs have successfully leveraged WIP funds and programming to secure external funding from private donors, industry partners, and foundations. These successes underscore the value of the WIP's investments and highlights its mission to align higher education and workforce development.

WIP Program Investment Highlights

Controlled Environment Agriculture is one of the WIP’s standout programs, receiving $1,840,400 in WIP investments and securing an additional $2,000,800 from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). This partnership is advancing cutting-edge solutions to support sustainable food systems in Wyoming and beyond, demonstrating the potential of collaboration to address global challenges.

Photo of Advanced Manufacturing Building Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

Controlled Environment Agriculture is one of the WIP’s standout programs, receiving $1,840,400 in WIP investments and securing an additional $2,000,800 from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). This partnership is advancing cutting-edge solutions to support sustainable food systems in Wyoming and beyond, demonstrating the potential of collaboration to address global challenges.

The WIP invested $1,601,196 in shared software development programming at the University of Wyoming, Sheridan College, Central Wyoming College, Western Wyoming Community College, and Northwest College. This was furthered by $200,000 from the NSF CO-WY Engine. By equipping Wyoming’s workforce with modern skills in software development, the WIP’s software development programs are laying a solid foundation for technological growth, education, and research within the region.

The WORTH Initiative at the University of Wyoming has transformed, thanks to a $3,140,000 investment from WIP and $5,000,000 from a private donation. These resources have allowed the initiative to evolve into the Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute, creating a hub for support and expansion of Wyoming’s economy through the state’s outdoor recreation, tourism, and hospitality industries.

At Gillette College, the Community and Workforce Development program has expanded non-credit training programs to enhance local workforce skills with both existing facilities and new equipment for mobile training opportunities. One example is the college’s work to meet the high demand for CDL training by developing a dedicated program to meet local and regional needs. The Community and Workforce Development programming has benefitted from $1,719,687 in WIP funding and $692,000 in external funding from the Board of Cooperative Higher Education Services (BOCHES). BOCHES is a partnership between school districts and their nearest community colleges in Wyoming designed to provide educational services and higher education opportunities, adult education, job-specific training, and dual-credit courses for high school students.

Photo of Wyrkshop Mobile Makerspace.

The Concept Forge at the Laramie County Community College is a makerspace offering cutting-edge technology, expertise, and state-of-the-art equipment to support students, hobbyists, and professionals in turning ideas into reality through prototyping, product development, and production. They offer individual services, classes, and workshops for a variety of things such as high-end fused deposition modeling printing, laser engraving, 3D scanning, and more. The WIP contributed $500,000 to this initiative, while an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant provided an additional $2,300,000.

Thank You to Our Partners

Overall WIP programs have secured over $16 million in external funding that will help drive program sustainability. Collaborations with organizations such as the NSF, EDA, BOCHES, private donors, and others have amplified the impact of the WIP’s initiatives. The external funding secured reflects a shared commitment to workforce development and economic growth throughout the Cowboy State.

The WIP’s achievements would not be possible without the dedication and support of its external partners. Their contributions have been instrumental in turning ideas into impactful solutions, and together, we are shaping and sustaining a future-ready Wyoming.

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