State smooths the path to grant funding for smaller towns

Wyoming’s smaller towns may now have an easier path to obtaining federal grant funding through a new state program that aims to fill the gaps in knowledge and capability.

Governor Mark Gordon announced last week that the Wyoming Grant Assistance Program (WYGAP) is now active through the State Budget Department and will be looking to assist local governments, nonprofits and small businesses in finding, pursuing and managing the grants they need.

The program acknowledges the hurdles that often face smaller communities when it comes to seeking funding. These can include a lack of staff resources, lack of knowledge or experience in obtaining grants and a lack of clearly identified needs that can result in grant-ready projects.

These are problems often mentioned in local government. As an example, Crook County Museum District and the City of Sundance found themselves stymied in efforts to obtain funding for Old Stoney when the rules changed to require qualitative reporting of the impact the project will have.

Grant management technical assistance is offered at no cost through the program, with requests accepted on a rolling basis.

The services on offer range from training and general assistance to needs planning, project scoping, grant application development and post-award support.

The assistance comes through Hagarty Consulting and CliftonLarsenAllen, both of which are now under contract with the Wyoming State Budget Department.

“Over the past two years, in partnership with Senators Lummis and Barrasso, we have responded to community requests for assistance in accessing available federal grants,” Governor Gordon said in a press release announcing the program.

“The interest in these opportunities has been overwhelming, and they can be used to reduce local community tax burden while improving services. The Grants Management Initiative will help our local governments and small businesses succeed.” 

The Wyoming Grants Connect Hub has also been developed through the Grants Management Office to provide a one-stop-shop resource of grant opportunities. The searchable database currently includes more than 300 funding options from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction act and CHIPS and Science Act, as well as state agency grant programs.