June 24, 2009 - WRDF hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for their new building, the Frank B. Wise Business Plaza.  It will be located at the corner of Hwy 287 and Ethete Road in Fort Washakie.  The nearly 15,000 sq. ft. building will be home to the WRDF, Veteran's, SITCO, educational partners, and will have available business lease space.  Funding for this project was made possible through the Wyoming Business Council and the Economic Development Association.

   

2009 - SBA announces annual award winners!  4 of the 10 winners work on the reservation. 
-  Financial Services Champion of the Year, WRDF, Lisa Wagner, Director, Fort Washakie
-  Home-Based Business Champion of the Year, Stanford Addison Ranch, Stanford Addison, Arapahoe
-  Minority Small Business Champion, Dave Potter, President, Wells Fargo Bank, Riverton
-  Small Business Development Center Service Excellence and Innovation Center Award, Marjorie Rowell, Regional Director, SBDC, Riverton
Congratulations!  Click here to view the full story!  

December 8, 2008 - WRDF reaches the $2 million lending mark in November 2008.  Since opening in 2003, nearly 40 small businesses on or near the Wind River Indian Reservation have received these funds in the form of 57 business loans.  Of these business loans, there have been 18 microloans ($5,000 or less) and 39 small business loans ($5,000 or more) made to start-up or expanding small businesses.  These loans have resulted in 31 new businesses created and 26 existing businesses assisted.  The Wind River Development Fund loan fund's default rate remains at an extremely low 0.1%.  Press Release 

October 22, 2008 - The U.S. Treasury announced $3.5 billion in tax credits to help stimulate economic growth and create jobs.  Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation will direct $90 million of these credits toward business development in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.  Wind River Development Fund, a community development corporation on the Wind River Indian Reservation, has partnered with MMCDC to help bring these tax credits to the state.  "We look forward to working with local businesses as well as those across the state in accessing the low-cost loans made possible by this program," said Lisa Wagner, executive director of the Wind River Development Fund.  Press Release

July 17, 2008 - The Wind River Development Fund is currently accepting applications for the Save Up Now (S.U.N.) Program, a matched savings program. There are a limited number of slots available. Save and receive matching funds for small business development or credit improvement. The program does have eligibility requirements, and participants are required to attend trainings, including a financial literacy class. For every one dollar saved in the program, the Wind River Development Fund matches three dollars. The maximum amount a participant can save is $2,000. To learn more about the program or to obtain an application, please contact the Wind River Development Fund at (307) 335-7330.