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
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
-John Saris
Credit Portfolio Manager, Wyoming Smart Capital Network
John Saris joined DCN as the Credit Portfolio Manager in October 2024 and is primarily responsible for overseeing all of DCN’s credit support programs designed to increase lending to small businesses by supporting loans led by private lenders (primarily community banks). These programs help businesses, many of which are owned by individuals from historically disadvantaged communities, accesses financial resources that otherwise would not be available.
From 2009 to 2024, John was the Finance Manager at Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency. Under his management, more than 2,000 Oregon companies were able to access more than $2 billion of financing through Oregon’s direct loan, loan guarantee and private activity bond programs with portfolio losses of less than 0.5%. The funding provided assisted in promoting business start-up & expansion resulting in more than 15,000 jobs created and retained. While at Business Oregon, John served on the Board of Directors for the Council of Development Finance Agencies for 14 years and served as the Board Chair for 3 years.
Prior to joining Business Oregon, John worked for 9 years at U.S. Bank in commercial banking as a SBA Business Development Officer serving Oregon and SW Washington supporting the banks SBA lending programs for over 150 branches.
In 2024, John & Carrie successfully completed a thru hike of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada that traverses the San Jacinto, San Bernadino, Sierra and Cascade Mountain Ranges in California, Oregon and Washington.
-Jan Lehenbauer
Controller, Wyoming Smart Capital Network
Jan Lehenbauer, CPA, is the Controller for Development Capital Networks. She brings over 20 years' experience in accounting to DCN, having worked for a range of commercial enterprises managing financial reporting and budgeting, as well as conducting audits. Jan is a Certified Public Accountant, certified in Oklahoma.
Jan and her staff are responsible for the financial accounting for the DCN entities and sister organizations. This includes overseeing annual audits as well as ensuring tax returns are prepared and timely filed.
Jan received her Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the Colorado State University - Pueblo. She is a Colorado native, but has lived and worked in Oklahoma since 2011.
-Sam Weinstein
Development Loan Officer, Wyoming Smart Capital Network
Sam Weinstein, an engaged professional in the greater Cheyenne community, has made impactful contributions to the mortgage banking sector and community engagement for over 15 years. He holds a degree in Communication and Sociology from the University of Wyoming. Guided by a commitment to community partnership, education, and social understanding, Sam's journey is focused on improving lives.
Starting his career at a local credit union in Wyoming, Sam balanced commercial loan responsibilities with community outreach, setting a precedent for his future endeavors. He then transitioned to roles at Pinnacle Bank, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, and CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC. In these positions, he excelled in mortgage operations and built strong relationships within the real estate community, blending financial expertise with community advocacy.
Beyond his professional achievements, Sam's deep community involvement includes leadership roles in organizations like the Wyoming Mortgage Lender's Association and the Kiwanis Club of Cheyenne, as well as educational mentorship roles. He even serves as the Honorary Commander of the 321 Missile Squadron, show casing his commitment to the military realm.
Through his expertise in mortgage banking and dedicated community leadership, Sam Weinstein inspires individuals and organizations to create more connected, empowered, and vibrant communities.
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 Haswell
Sheridan County Commissioner
Rural Development Fund Interim Vice Chair
Affiliates
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 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.