Jumpstart Evanston Celebrates $65,000 in Grants Awarded to Entrepreneurs Over Five Years

The City of Evanston and the Uinta County Economic Development Commission (UCEDC) are committed to supporting entrepreneurs in the region. Since establishing the Jumpstart Evanston program five years ago, these organizations have distributed $65,000 to dozens of new business owners. Most of the grants were only around $1,500 and are an investment in the future growth of Evanston’s economy.  

“Recruiting new companies to the region is a big part of economic development, but supporting local entrepreneurs is just as important,” says Rocco O’Neill, Director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Evanston. “The biggest way to have an impact on the economy of Evanston is to support small businesses.”

As of 2023, there were 73,330 small businesses in Wyoming, employing 64.6% of Wyoming workers. Learn how the City of Evanston is supporting entrepreneurs and helping establish the next generation of Wyoming-founded businesses. 

Jumpstart Offers Eight Weeks of Free Education for Entrepreneurs

Since its founding, Jumpstart Evanston has provided free classes to more than 150 Uinta County residents. Entrepreneurs who sign up for the program meet weekly for eight weeks to discuss topics that will help them create detailed business plans for growth. These topics include accounting best practices, legal information, and developing marketing strategies.

Every business is unique, and each entrepreneur has different knowledge gaps. This program is designed to give all participants a well-rounded understanding of business ownership.

“Five years ago, Evanston didn’t have programs and resources to support startups,” says O’Neill. “Jumpstart allows us to provide education, networking opportunities, and the chance to receive funding to new business owners.”

The program concludes with a pitch night, during which participants showcase their companies to a panel of judges and local audiences. Entrepreneurs have a chance to win up to $10,000 in start-up or growth funds. 

All Small Businesses in Evanston are Valuable

Any business that is less than three years old is invited to apply for Jumpstart Evanston and can receive grant funding. The City of Evanston recognizes that entrepreneurs come from all industries and have different visions for growth.

“We’re not going to discriminate because you don’t have a computer science degree,” says O’Neill. “Most small businesses are blue-collar, retail, consumer-facing, or offer contract services.”

Small businesses that provide direct services to the Evanston community (like a coffee shop or fencing company) are just as valuable as companies that want to debut the next great software solution.

Jumpstart Has Received City and Community Buy-In

The City of Evanston and UCEDC contribute grant funds and provide space for the Jumpstart meetings and pitch nights. Jumpstart receives support from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and other agencies.

However, Jumpstart Evanston has also received considerable support from local companies and private citizens who want to see Uinta County's entrepreneurial industry thrive. Sponsors, family, and friends of the companies can attend the pitch nights, creating valuable networking opportunities. Jumpstart connects entrepreneurs across the community and helps them build their customer bases.

“It’s the small things, compounded over time, that impact a community,” says O’Neill. “Small business creation is where our employment is going to come from. These guys don’t get the flashy headlines, but they are integral to our future.”  

When Jumpstart is not in session, the City and UCEDC support entrepreneurs in other ways. It partnered with Evanston High School’s DECA chapter (Distributive Education Clubs of America) to help juniors and seniors create and pitch business plans. Students needed to pull market research related to their industry and create mock financial statements. Each winning group won a scholarship check. In 2025, Evanston will be participating in Lemonade Day on August 9, helping kids ages 5-15 learn the value of starting a business. 

Evanston Has Business Resources for All Companies

Evanston has tools for site selectors who want to learn about Uinta County and bring their clients here, but it also has resources for local business owners. Whether you are a brand-new entrepreneur or an experienced leader focused on expansion or succession planning, we can help you get what you need. The City of Evanston has your back and can provide essential support to help you reach your goals.