Governor unveils state grant resources for communities

JACKSON — Gov. Mark Gordon announced the launch of a grant assistance program that will increase access to federal funding and support grants management in communities across the state.

The Wyoming Grant Assistance Program is possible after the State Budget Department established the first centralized Grants Management Office. The program will focus on providing state agencies, local government, nonprofits and small businesses with technical assistance at no cost to pursue hundreds of grants that align with local priorities.

“Over the past two years, in partnership with Senators Lummis and Barrasso, we have responded to the community requests for state assistance in accessing available federal grants,” Gordon said in the announcement. “The interest in these opportunities have been overwhelming, and they can be used to reduce local community tax burden while improving services.”

He said the grants management initiative will help local governments and businesses succeed.

“The Town of Jackson is excited to learn more about WYGAP’s services and support,” Jackson Director of External Affairs Susan Scarlata said. “Our municipality and county have been lucky to receive a Safe Streets For All grant and funds through other federal programs focused on everything from water quality to composting. We are glad to learn that our governor and senators have made increased access to federal funds a focus to help support the great work done by local governments across our state.”

Wyoming communities are already taking advantage of the program.

Riverton Depot Foundation Grant Facilitator Cathleen Cline worked with the new assistance program to apply for funding from the federal Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program and is developing an application for the Safe Streets for All Program.

“The support we have received has been invaluable,” Cline said.

The Grants Management Office also created the Wyoming Grants Connect Hub so that communities could search more than 300 funding opportunities from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act, as well as state grant programs.

Interested parties are invited to join the Grants Management Office for a webinar to learn about the initiative and services available.

For information on the grants initiative and requests for assistance, contact sbd-grants@wyo.gov. Organizations looking for assistance can visit the WYGAP website to apply: SBD.Wyo.Gov/Grants/Grant-Assistance-Program.

This story was published on July 15, 2024.