Resources
Partners
Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development works to attract and retain businesses and talented residents throughout the state of Nebraska.
Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) https://sites.nppd.com/
NPPD assists with retention, expansion, and attraction of businesses by connecting businesses with a variety of resources.
Aurora Chamber of Commerce https://www.auroranebraska.com/
Works to cultivate vitality, growth and economic activity in Aurora through events as well as, business promotion and learning opportunties.
City of Aurora https://cityofaurora.org/
The City of Aurora works with businesses in the areas of building permits, zoning, and utilities for water and sewer.
Resources
Center for Rural Affairs http://www.cfra.org/
The Center for Rural Affairs offers technical assistance, training, loans up to $150,000. For special training opportunities the Women’s Business Center and Hispanic Business Development Center. Link to local contacts: http://www.cfra.org/reap/staff
Nebraska Business Development Centers http://nbdc.unomaha.edu/
NBDC offers business planning, training, valuations, loan packaging, government contracting, and a variety of technical assistance. Link to local contacts: http://nbdc.unomaha.edu/financing-options/consultants.cfm
Nebraska Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) http://www.nedcoloans.org/#
NEDCO Is a SBA 504 lender, and has USDA Intermediary Relending Program and EDA Revolving loan funds. They are good with helping with buildings and usually only require 10% equity.
Invest Nebraska http://www.investnebraska.com/
Invest Nebraska offers venture capital and angel investment programs.
Nebraska Enterprise Fund (NEF) http://www.nebbiz.org/
NEF offers technical assistance and loans up to $150,000. April Meyer is the Loan Specialist in Kearney 308-440-7917 or email: aprilb@nebbiz.org
UNL Cooperative Extension http://communityvitality.unl.edu/category/growing-nebraska-businesses
UNL Cooperative Extension offers technical assistance.
South Central Economic Development District http://scedd.us Nebraska regional development districts offer various revolving loans funds and technical assistance. Sharon Hueftle is the Director contact 308-455-4770
USDA Rural Development http://www.rd.usda.gov
The USDA Rural Development program promotes economic development through loans to businesses provided through banks, credit unions, and community-managed lending pools. They also offer energy efficiency grants and loans to businesses. Regional Contact: Kelley Messenger, Area Specialist (308) 237-3118, kelley.messenger@ne.usda.gov
GROW Nebraska www.grownebraska.com
Training and technical assistance with marketing Nebraska products. Janell Anderson Ehrke, phone 888-growneb
ImagiNE Incentives – https://imagine.nebraska.gov/
Rural Advantage provides qualified businesses with refundable tax incentives for projects that create 2 jobs and invest $125,000 in counties of less than 15,000 residents. In counties with 15,000 – 25,000 population, a business can receive incentives for creating 5 jobs and investing $250,000.
Micro-Enterprise Tax Credits – http://www.revenue.nebraska.gov/incentiv/microent/microent.html
Micro-Enterprise Tax credits provide a 20 percent refundable tax credit to micro businesses on increased compensation for employees or increased investment in targeted communities. Applicants may qualify for a maximum of $10,000 for the life of the program. The credit is limited to companies with five or fewer employees at the time the application. Credits are approved on a first in – first out basis with an application process through the Nebraska Department of Revenue.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program- https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/start-your-business/resources/
Grants are available for qualified businesses that want to: create a prototype, do research and development, commercialize a product, apply for SBIR and Economic Gardening.
Nebraska Department of Economic Development Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
CDBG/ED is a grant to a city, village, or county that re-loans the money to a local qualifying business for gap financing. These funds have to create jobs that benefit low to moderate individuals. Usually run through an NDO when paid back
List of resources provides by Kelly Gewecke, Central Business Consultant, NE DED | 308-627-3151 | kelly.gewecke@nebraska.gov
