Small Businesses Continue to Drive Job Growth Across America
Washington, D.C. — A new analysis from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce highlights the significant role small businesses play in America's workforce, finding that small businesses account for the vast majority of hiring activity nationwide. According to the Chamber's review of hiring data dating back to 2001, small businesses have been responsible for an average of 78.2% of all hiring, with that number rising to 80% of hires since 2025. The report reinforces what many communities already know: small businesses
Casper College students score gold at 2026 SkillsUSA Wyoming State Championship
Casper College students earned top honors at the 2026 SkillsUSA Wyoming State Competition and will head to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, June 1-5, in Atlanta. In Atlanta, students from across the United States compete as teams and individually in a wide range of career and technical fields. Casper College students won five gold medals in the following categories: Pin Design, Fionna Kerkes; Job Interview, Katelyn Moeller; Technical Drafting, Howard McNiven; Architectural
Seven nonprofit finalists win at 2026 SparkTank competition
Casper College’s SparkTank project selected seven nonprofit organizations as finalists to compete for funding from a $46,300 prize. Following the presentations, the panel of judges decided to award money to all seven groups. Allied Angels was awarded $4,500, Interfaith was awarded $7,000, the Iris Club House was awarded $6,000, Olivia Caldwell was awarded $7,000, Patriot Express Honor Trips was awarded $11,300, Project Kenny was awarded $3,000, and the Self Help Center received $7,500. Twenty nonprofit
Independence Day 250 at the Ford Wyoming Center
Casper, WY — [May 20, 2026] — In 2026, America turns 250, and the Ford Wyoming Center is inviting the community to celebrate in a big way with Independence Day 250, a free, family-friendly Fourth of July event on Saturday, July 4, 2026, beginning at 4:00 p.m.This special celebration will honor the nation’s semi-quincentennial with an afternoon and evening packed with patriotic fun, community spirit, and one of Casper’s favorite holiday traditions, a spectacular fireworks finale.Guests can enjoy a wide
Free Resources Available to Help Wyoming Small Businesses Grow & Thrive
Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a variety of free tools, training opportunities, and business resources available to help small businesses strengthen operations, improve marketing, access funding, and plan for long-term growth. From startup guidance and grant resources to AI training and marketing support, many of these programs are available online and accessible to businesses nationwide, including right here in Wyoming and Natrona County.Resources Available to Small
Boys & Girls Clubs Expands Summer Sports Opportunities Through New Partnerships and Programs
Casper - As the school year comes to a close and families begin preparing for summer activities, the Boys & Girls Clubs is excited to announce an expanded lineup of summer sports opportunities designed to keep youth active, engaged, and connected throughout the summer months. This summer’s programming will feature exciting new partnerships, expanded athletic opportunities, and the introduction of new sports to the Casper community. A major highlight of the summer lineup is the continued partnership
U.S. Chamber’s CO—100 Program Highlights Opportunities for Wyoming Small Businesses
Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is continuing to spotlight outstanding small businesses across the country through its CO—100: America’s Top 100 Small Businesses program, a national recognition initiative celebrating innovation, growth, community impact, and entrepreneurship. The CO—100 program recognizes small and mid-sized businesses that are making a difference both locally and nationally. Businesses selected for the CO—100 receive national recognition, networking opportunities, media
How Customer Photos, Reviews & Social Posts Are Helping Businesses Grow
Washington, D.C. — A recent resource from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce highlights the growing impact of user-generated content (UGC) and how businesses are using customer photos, reviews, testimonials, and social media posts to increase trust, engagement, and sales. From boutique retailers and restaurants to tourism destinations and service-based businesses, user-generated content is becoming one of the most effective marketing tools available, especially for small businesses working with limited
How Casper's Regional Hub Status Should Shape Your Digital Presence in 2026
Casper isn't just a city of 59,000 — it's the commercial center for much of central Wyoming. Customers drive in from Lander, Douglas, and Riverton to access services, expertise, and products they can't find closer to home. When those potential customers search online before making the trip, they need to find you first. A modern digital presence is how you reach that broader regional audience, not just the people who already know you're here. These seven areas offer the highest return for Casper business
Town of Bar Nunn Independence Day Celebration
The Town of Bar Nunn is pleased to announce its plans for a community-wide Independence Day celebration in honor of America's 250th Anniversary.This milestone marks a rare and meaningful moment in our nation's history. In recognition of this occasion, the Town of Bar Nunn is joining neighboring communities in celebrating in a way that reflects both local pride and a shared commitment to honoring 250 years of American independence. This collaborative spirit helps create a unified and memorable experience
City of Mills Semiquincentennial Fireworks Celebration
The City of Mills is proud to announce its intent to celebrate America's Semiquincentennial (250th Anniversary) with a fireworks display. As part of this historic occasion, Mills is coordinating with the Town of Bar Nunn and the City of Casper to align our celebrations and conduct fireworks displays concurrently across our communities. This collaborative approach is intended to create a unified and meaningful area celebration of our nation's milestone. The City of Mills will produce its own fireworks
Before Your Next Outage: Building IT Infrastructure Casper Businesses Can Count On
Strengthening your IT infrastructure means building systems that keep your business running — and recovering fast — when hardware fails, cyberattacks hit, or a Wyoming winter storm cuts connectivity for days. American businesses reported more than $16.6 billion in cybercrime losses in 2024, a 33% jump from the prior year, with smaller organizations absorbing a disproportionate share. For Casper business owners, the question isn't whether a disruption will happen. It's whether your systems will hold when
Confidence on Cue: Simple Speaking Skills That Transform Small Business Visibility
For many small business owners, standing in front of an audience feels like a leap into the unknown. Yet, public speaking is one of the most powerful growth levers available. It amplifies visibility, establishes authority, and inspires trust—the three signals customers and partners rely on when deciding who to work with.Key Takeaways You’ll Learn Here Public speaking builds brand authority and strengthens customer trust. Confidence grows through structured preparation and small, low-risk
New Year’s Resolutions for Chambers, Businesses & People Who Actually Keep Them (Mostly)
Ah yes. The New Year. A magical time filled with fresh calendars, bold intentions, and at least one resolution we’ll quietly renegotiate by February.At the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce, we’ve been reflecting on what really matters as we head into a new year. After sorting through the confetti and leftover to-do lists, one thing is crystal clear: our members, our businesses, and the success of Natrona County are still the main event.So instead of resolutions that sound impressive but require superhuman
Building Better Together: How Casper Small Business Owners Can Forge Thriving Partnerships
TL;DR Strong collaborations don’t happen by chance—they’re built on clarity, trust, shared goals, and complementary strengths. This article explores how Casper-area small business owners can form partnerships that last, communicate effectively, and use the right tools to protect and grow their ventures.Why Collaboration Matters Casper’s business community thrives on relationships. Local partnerships often multiply marketing reach, reduce costs, and help businesses access new audiences. From co-hosted
Building a Strong Defense for Your Company’s Intellectual Property Online
You’re scaling your business, and the digital world is both your growth engine and your biggest vulnerability. Intellectual property (IP)—whether it’s proprietary designs, client data, brand assets, or unique processes—is often the most valuable asset you own. In a digital-first marketplace, protecting it isn’t optional; it’s survival. Why Digital IP Protection Matters Modern businesses thrive on digital assets. Unfortunately, the same technologies that accelerate growth also increase exposure. From
Turn Heads, Not Pages: Building Presentations That Clients Remember
Crafting a powerful client presentation or pitch deck has less to do with flashy graphics and more to do with thoughtful orchestration. At its best, a great presentation doesn't just share information—it guides thinking, drives curiosity, and makes decisions easier for the person on the other side of the table. Yet too often, decks rely on stale templates, jargon, and assumptions that the work speaks for itself. The real secret? Making the work work harder by treating every presentation as a performance,
Reimagining E-Commerce With Seamless Tech Integration
The backbone of any modern e-commerce operation isn’t just a snappy website or an efficient checkout system—it’s a deep, layered integration of digital technology across every facet of the business. For retailers navigating an increasingly fragmented digital landscape, the path to cohesion begins with strategic use of tools that work in concert. It’s no longer enough to tack on apps or patchwork platforms; digital systems must pulse together like an ecosystem. When e-commerce companies think about
Why Your Message Might Not Be Landing (and What to Do About It)
Every small business owner knows the frustration: you’ve poured time and effort into a video, a reel, or a short promo, and yet the engagement just doesn’t reflect the value you’re offering. In a media-rich environment like Casper, where audiences range from long-time residents to newcomers and from in-person browsers to mobile-first viewers, it’s not just about what you say. It’s how — and how clearly — you say it. If your content isn't creating the traction you expected, there’s a good chance you’re
How to Keep the Books Without Losing Your Mind
There’s a particular kind of panic that hits when a business owner opens a spreadsheet and realizes there are more expenses than expected—and fewer digits in the account than hoped. Some people live for the numbers; others would rather wash every dish in the restaurant than tally receipts. For the latter group, managing expenses can feel like a necessary evil, a mountain of spreadsheets and software that just keeps getting steeper. But dodging the task doesn’t make it go away. In fact, it often makes
Making Your Marketing Count: Smart Moves for Time-Strapped Entrepreneurs
Running a business means living in a constant state of triage. You’re putting out fires, answering emails, fielding calls, and somewhere in between, you’re expected to craft marketing materials that are sharp, strategic, and conversion-worthy. But let’s be honest: if you’re the one holding the reins, this stuff often gets back-burnered. What happens then is a pile of half-finished brochures, social posts that sound like billboards, and email campaigns that don’t exactly inspire clicks. You don’t need a
From Zero to Startup: Launching a Business with No Capital
Starting a business with little to no money might seem impossible, but it’s been done countless times before. The myth that you need a deep-pocketed investor or a hefty bank loan keeps many people from taking the first step. But the reality? Resourcefulness, strategy, and persistence matter more than capital. If you’re willing to hustle, leverage the tools at your disposal, and think creatively, you can build something from nothing—literally. Lean into What You Already KnowYour biggest asset isn’t money;
Financial Document Analysis: Methods for Extracting Key Business Insights
In the fast-paced world of business, financial documents serve as a roadmap to a company's stability, profitability, and growth potential. Whether you're an investor, financial analyst, or business owner, the ability to extract and interpret key insights from balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports is essential. However, given the sheer volume of financial data available, navigating these documents efficiently requires a systematic approach. By leveraging the right techniques and tools,
FinCEN's BOI Filing Deadline: 01/01/2025 - Casper, WY Businesses Must File Now to Avoid Fines!
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) requires businesses to report Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) to FinCEN to promote transparency and prevent financial crimes. As of today, November 27, 2024, Casper, Wyoming, business owners have 35 calendar days (or 25 business days) left to file their BOI report with FinCEN—don’t delay, or you could face $500 per day fines! What You Need to Do:1. Determine if Your Business Must File. Most LLCs, corporations, and small businesses qualify as "reporting
Partnership-Driven Growth for Small Businesses
Strategic partnerships can ignite significant growth and fresh innovation for small businesses. These collaborations enable resource sharing, open doors to new markets, and spark creative approaches. Success relies on meticulous preparation and ensuring objectives are well-aligned. Clear communication and mutual respect lay the foundation for meaningful connections that yield results. Effective partnerships demand ongoing efforts to maintain trust and adaptability.Streamlining Partnership Agreements with
Ignite Your Idea into a Thriving Startup: A Blueprint for Young Entrepreneurs
Every groundbreaking startup begins with a single spark of inspiration - a great idea that has the potential to change the world. But transforming that idea into a successful startup requires more than just passion and innovation; it demands strategic planning, relentless execution, and a keen understanding of market dynamics. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned dreamer ready to take the plunge, this guide is your roadmap to navigating the exhilarating yet challenging journey of building a
Wyoming Companies Face Rising Fees
Hello everybody. We are proud to have become members of Casper, Wyoming’s Chamber of Commerce. We are excited to begin working together and to support the business community. It is our goal to promote Wyoming businesses and believe joining the Chamber is an important part. Our first e-news letter was going to focus on our upcoming estate planning and wealth management seminars. Unfortunately, however, we have heard some unsettling news from the Wyoming Secretary of State that we thought we should bring to
