Evanston Residents Who Support Small Businesses Shape the Region’s Future

Evanston, Wyoming, has a growing business environment, with entrepreneurs receiving support from customers, local partnerships, and government teams like the City of Evanston. While the holiday season is a great time to shop small, there’s never a bad time to support your favorite small business.  

“We know how easy it is to shop online or visit big box stores to stock up on gifts,” says Rocco O'Neill, Community Development Director for the City of Evanston. “But every purchase from a local company makes a big difference to Uinta County. Buying local keeps your money in your community.”

See the impact that shopping small has on Evanston and explore other ways to support small businesses. We each have the power to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem that can thrive. 

Buying Local Grows the Evanston Economy

For every $100 spent at local businesses, $68 stays in the community. The money you spend at local companies goes into other businesses (like vendors and professional service partners), toward the salaries of employees, and to local tax funds. The more Evanston residents shop local during the holiday season (and beyond), the more money stays in the region, creating resources and amenities here.

Entrepreneurs are also job creators. Between 2013 and 2023, small businesses accounted for 55% of the country's total job creation. Buying from sole proprietors can help them become employers when they are ready to hire and expand. Shopping local helps your friends and neighbors find work.

Wyoming is a great place to be a small business owner. It has the highest number of retailers per capita, with 252 consumers per retail employer. Evanston residents can make operating here even better by shopping at their favorite companies and exploring new ones.  

Evanston Residents Don’t Have to Drive to Find What They Need

One of the top location advantages of living in Evanston is its proximity to Salt Lake City. Residents can enjoy the benefits of living in Wyoming and drive an hour to access Utah amenities when needed. However, Evanston residents don’t have to travel across state lines to find what they need this holiday season. You might be surprised at how much is available in your community.  

“We believe in growing where you are planted,” says O'Neill. “This means supporting local businesses so they grow, while creating a culture that invites new businesses to open in the area. Shopping small today creates more opportunities for the future.”

O'Neill encourages residents to pause before they drive to Salt Lake City this year. Evanston businesses might have exactly what they need, allowing shoppers to complete their errands faster than expected. Every choice to support a Wyoming business keeps money in the state and invests in local businesses, schools, and infrastructure. 

Entrepreneurs Fill Needs in the Local Economy

Evanston is still a growing community, and there are certainly gaps in the economy that entrepreneurs can fill. Passionate residents who see a need in the region can step in and start their own businesses with help from the City of Evanston.  

A great program to consider is Jumpstart Evanston, which runs from January through March. Participants take weekly classes to learn how to develop a business plan, manage their finances, and market their products or services. The program ends with a business presentation to a panel of judges, with monetary prizes for the best-laid plans.

Enrollment for Jumpstart Evanston is currently open and closes on January 14th, 2026. It is open to existing business owners seeking to expand and new entrepreneurs looking to bring their concepts to life. 

Commit to Shopping Local This Year

Every purchase makes a difference in the Evanston economy, whether you are buying a latte at a coffee shop or hiring an accountant to review your taxes. Make an effort to buy local this shopping season, and keep the trend going into 2026. Buying local is a great habit if you want to see new businesses open while investing in local schools and infrastructure.

If you’re ready to start a business, explore our available resources. From Jumpstart to the SBA, you might be surprised at how many opportunities there are to learn, network, and secure the funding you need.

Everyone contributes to the Evanston small business community. Take steps to create the change you want to see.