NxBizSuccess

Poll on Rural Economic Development Strategies

Marilyn — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:15:52 +0000

What economic development strategies are important to rural citizens? To discover that answer, researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln asked 2,490 rural citizens the question, “What type of impact on your community do you think would result from your community pursuing the following economic development strategies?” Although the results varied by location, age, education and income, the overall results were very positive toward entrepreneurship as a development strategy:

Providing loans to small businesses and entrepreneurs in their community (79%)
Developing a youth entrepreneurship program in their local school/s (76%)
Providing training or technical assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs in your community (74%)

Poll respondents were also positive toward specific infrastructure development that captured the unique characteristics or resources of the community. For example, persons living in or near communities larger than 10,000 believed developing industrial parks in their community would have a positive impact (66%) compared to persons living in or near communities with fewer than 500 persons (33%). In addition, persons living in the Nebraska Panhandle region were more positive about the perceived impact of promoting development of wind energy (82%) than persons living in Southeast Nebraska (68%).

To read this report and others, visit the Nebraska Rural Poll at the Center for Applied Rural Innovation.

Submitted by Rebecca Vogt, Survey Research Manager, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Flood CleanUp, Contractors Register with FEMA

Marilyn — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:43:00 +0000

Now that the Missouri River flood waters are beginning to recede in Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska, the need for businesses to help with cleanup is critical. If your business is interested in contracting with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), contact Andy Alexander, Program Manager and Counselor with the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) to help (402-554-6253). A step-by-step guide is available to get you started in registering with FEMA.

NBDC PTAC is also available to assist any business interested in contracting with local, state and federal agencies. PTAC offices are located in Omaha, Auburn, Kearney and Wayne.

Submitted by Marilyn Schlake, Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Student internships may be an option worth exploring.

Marilyn — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:51:01 +0000

Looking to add staff without the full-time commitment? Student internships can help you get things done on a limited budget.

The Nebraska Internship Program, which began on June 1, has job training funds available to help businesses hire student interns. The program provides a 40% match, up to $3,500 per internship, for eligible businesses hiring eligible student interns (businesses in distressed areas may receive a 60% match up to $5,000). A business may apply for funding for up to 10 interns per year, with a maximum of five interns per company location, per year.

Eligible businesses are primarily in Manufacturing, Research & Development, Distribution, Transportation, Storage & Warehousing, Data Processing, Telecommunications, Insurance & Financial Services, Administration (Headquarters) and more. Eligible students must be enrolled full-time in a postsecondary college or university with junior or senior status, or in their second year of a two-year program. Internships must pay minimum wage or more and range from 200-1,000 hours.

As of August 8^th, 79 businesses have applied for Intern Nebraska funding with 45 businesses approved and participating in the program. Nearly $640,000 of the $1.5 million available in funding is committed. Thirty-one qualified businesses are in rural Nebraska and 14 businesses are in urban parts of our state. Approximately 38 qualified businesses are still looking to hire around 124 interns as of today. The intent of the program is to create at least 500 new internships annually in Nebraska.

For more information about the program, to post a job opening, or to search posted student resumes, go to http://InternNE.com/employer. To learn more about the benefits of hiring interns, here’s a video featuring Dan Shundoff, owner of Intellicom, Inc.: Expanding Capacity with Interns

Marilyn Schlake, Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Alice’s Integrity Loan Fund

Marilyn — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 18:33:43 +0000

Alice Dittman, retired CEO of Cornhusker Bank, is giving $1 million to establish Alice’s Integrity Loan Fund, a micro-lending program for individuals who want to start or grow a business. Alice’s Integrity Loans will be considered for any amount, up to $5,000 at a fixed interest rate of 6 percent, with repayment no longer than 3 years or 36 monthly payment. If the loan has been paid as agree, a step up loan of $10,000 may be possible. A qualified burrower must be a resident of Lincoln or Lancaster County, Nebraska.

Loans will be evaluated on 4 specific standards:

Character 40% - Applicant must demonstrate by record, a payment history. Demonstrate definitive service to others and absence of destructive personal behavior or addiction.
Capacity 30% – The ability of an individual to carry out their business idea. The individual must commit to completion of a business plan.
Commitment 20% – The responsibility of the individual borrowing money from the Fund to repay the loan. To commit to helping another individual to follow sound stewardship with their income.
Capital 10% – It is not the intention of the Fund to require collateral, however some type of measurable equity must be provided.

The program is administered by Deb Payne, fund manager and coach located at Community Development Resource (CDR). CDR is a Community Development Financial Institution certified by the U.S. Treasury that provides provides financial products and services to businesses underserved by traditional financial institutions.

Contact Deb Payne at 402.436.2435 or deb.payne@cdr-nebraska.org or visit the Alice’s Integrity Loan Fund website.

Must see – UNL Webinar on Food Product Development

Marilyn — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:01:23 +0000

Wow!!!!!! You missed an excellent webinar on Food Product Development if you were unable to attend the UNL Extension eShip Webinar Series on Tuesday, October 19th. Laurie Keeler, Senior Manager of Product Development, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Food Processing Center shared so many cool examples of unique new food products and how entrepreneurs came up with the idea and how they made them marketable.

Laurie talked about product ideas such as developing unique products with water; line extension which involves adding new lines of product to get more space on the shelf, and final packaging of products for convenience. Laurie outlined the steps needed to create a successful new food product and the problems and pitfalls in the development process. We also learned that the UNL Food Processing Center is a premier service available to anyone across the United States. They specialize in helping individuals and businesses develop food, pet and cosmetic products. It’s right there in Lincoln, Nebraska.

This is a webinar you should see. Go to the archived presentation at: http://breeze.unl.edu/p72177450/ .

The next UNL Extension eShip Webinar will be Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. CST/9:00 am MST. Katie Pakarek, UNL Extension Education in Stormwater Management will highlight Entrepreneurial Potentials in Stormwater Management.

Guest Blogger: Dennis Kahl, Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Green Industry is Still Evolving

Tonia Franklin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 02:00:17 +0000

Michael Shonka, owner of Solar Heat & Electric (Omaha, NE), provides insight into renewal energy opportunities in Nebraska. Tax credits are available to help homeowners and businesses install solar panels, etc. to reduce electric consumption. (Check with the IRS to verify that these tax credits are still available). In Nebraska, space and water heating are the two largest needs which can be met by a solar-electric system. Like most states, Nebraskans now have net-metering which allows entities to sell electricity to and buy from the electrical grid. Wind energy is still evolving for urban use but does work well for rural areas. Technology is still evolving for the ethanol and methane industry. The challenges are applicability and financing. (http://www.solaromaha.com) View Video

Environmental Opportunities for Entrepreneurs

Tonia Franklin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:55:00 +0000

Michael Shonka, owner of Solar Heat & Electric (Omaha, NE), shares his ideas on upcoming green entrepreneurial opportunities. If you are considering growing green, look for a niche market that has a revenue stream with long-term potential. New federal legislation will open opportunities. Possible businesses include: Energy consultant – assess how companies use energy and how they can reduce consumption and costs. A “sustainability coordinator” — company-wide evaluation of energy costs and long-term impacts of processes. Other green demands will be in reconstruction, engineering, and research. (http://www.solaromaha.com) View Video

Two Steps to Developing a Customer Base

Tonia Franklin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:48:24 +0000

Angela Graham, owner Graham Gallery (Hastings, NE), shares two keys steps to growing a niche retail business. Step one – interact with the community and establish your brand and reputation. Get involved in community activities to showcase your reliability and talents. The results will add value to the business and your products. Step two – develop a high degree of personal customization. Go beyond the routine sale to make the customer feel unique and valued. (http://www.graham-gallery.com) View Video

A Lifetime Experience of Farmers’ Markets

Tonia Franklin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:45:51 +0000

Robert and Ruth Johnson, owners of Johnson Farm Vegetables and Melons (North Bend, NE) share their 25 years of experience with Farmers’ Market. First step is to prepare the produce and package according to the sell, bulk or pre-packaged. Rent vending space by the season so people know where you are located each week at the market, bring own tent for cover. Price is set by comparison with retail stores or other market vendors. Customers vary – young and old, high and low incomes, ethnic groups. Customers are curious how product is raised and where it comes from. It’s important to establish a relationship with customers. Provide value and share recipes with customers. Information on available produce and a new recipe is add to their website each week. (http://johnsonfarmnebraska.com) View Video

Produce Measurement Regulations at Farmers’ Markets

Tonia Franklin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:36:25 +0000

Steve Malone, Administrator of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures Division, shares the “how-to” on correctly packaging produce for a farmers’ market. If selling products by weight, the producer must have an authorized scale. Contact the Department of Ag for approved scales. Two options for selling produce: (1) sell from bulk, no packaging required. Customers select the product they want which is then weighed and priced according to the weight. (2) pre-packaged by weight. The packaging must have a label or placard that states the quality and price. Only one method can be selected for each product sold. For more information contact 402.471.4292 or http://www.agr.ne.gov/division/wam/wam.htm. A University of Nebraska publication on Weights and Measures is also available here. View Video