We believe sustainable economic development is achieved through knowledgeable investing and great partnerships that support and engage the local community of entrepreneurs.
A partnership that a Consortium of Wyoming municipalities shares with the WSCN has been a catalyst for commercial businesses in Wyoming. The WSCN team professionally manages the original State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) allocation on behalf of our collection of municipalities. WSCN works to serve Wyoming small businesses with the capital necessary to obtain bank financing. Through this effort, the communities benefit from job creation/retention and the regional banks across Wyoming benefit from a flexible lending partner.
Kathy Lenz
Kathy Lenz
Resource and Economic Development Manager for Sen. Cynthia Lummis

Our History

The U.S. Treasury Department created the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) in 2010. Out of this initiative, 17 municipalities joined together as a consortium to host the program in Wyoming. They selected Development Capital Networks (DCN) to form and administer the fund, which became the Wyoming Smart Capital Network (WSCN). DCN continues to manage WSCN capital access programs. The founding municipalities included Laramie, Casper, Cheyenne, Cody, Douglas, Edgerton, Gillette, Green River, Hanna, Hartville, Midwest, Pine Bluffs, Powell, Rawlins, Rock Springs, Sundance and Wheatland. In 2017, WSCN fully deployed its $13.2 million SSBCI allocation. This capital has leveraged over $117 million in private bank financing and seed capital. What began as an investment from the federal government, is now an evergreen fund that continues to re-invest in Wyoming small businesses.

In 2018, WSCN expanded its service area to include the 10 counties of the original 17 Wyoming municipalities. In 2020, with support from WSCN and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Rural Development Fund (RDF) was formed, expanding service to two additional counties. In 2021, RDF received a grant from the Economic Development Administration, with matching funds provided by WSCN, to deliver our program to the entire state. That same year, WSCN was invited to join the Wyoming Community Navigator Program. The programs mission is to help traditionally underserved business communities hurt most by the pandemic recover, rebuild, and diversify Wyoming’s economy.

Interested in Wyoming Economic Development?

The recent stimulus bill is set to reauthorize the SSBCI program with additional funds. If you are interested in supporting WSCN in its efforts to bring capital to new and growing Wyoming companies, please .
Our Team draws on extensive experience to design, build and manage development funds that enhance regional economies.

Administrators and Managers

-Mark Huston

Enterprise Manager, Wyoming Smart Capital Network
+ Development Capital Networks, LLC
971-373-3321

-Jan Lehenbauer

Controller, Wyoming Smart Capital Network

-Emily Kremers

Marketing and Education Manager, Wyoming Smart Capital Network

-Sam Weinstein

Development Loan Officer, Wyoming Smart Capital Network
We know that innovation thrives in communities
rich in capital, talent and knowledge.

Advisory Council

Janine Jordan
City Manager
City of Laramie
WSCN Advisory Council Chair

Leslie Brumage
Finance Officer
City of Cody

J. D. Cox

City Manager
City of Douglas

Michelle Henderson
Finance Director
City of Gillette

Ann Calvert
Town Clerk
Town of Hanna

Matt McBurnett
Director of Administrative Services
City of Rock Springs

Kaela Nelson
Finance Director
City of Powell

Tom Sarvey
City Manager
City of Rawlins

Rural Development Fund Board of Directors

Christi HaswellChristi Haswell
Sheridan County Commissioner
Rural Development Fund Interim Vice Chair

Wyoming SBDC NetworkJill Kline
State Director
Wyoming Small Business Development Center
Rural Development Fund Interim Chair

Manufacturing WorksRocky Case
Center Director
Manufacturing Works, Wyoming MEP
Rural Development Fund Secretary/Treasurer

Affiliates

Development Capital Networks logo


Development Capital Networks, LLC brings together an experienced national and local team to build and administer state and local debt and equity funds.

Cimarron Capital Partners logo


Cimarron Capital Partners is a pioneer in strategic fund investing with over 25 years of experience designing and managing venture capital and private equity programs for regional economies.


Rural Development Fund logo


Rural Development Fund supports small businesses in Wyoming with capital from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Fund anticipates additional monies will be made available in the near future to serve the entire state.