Small Business Network Opens Opportunities

April 2010

How do we strengthen our state and build stronger rural economies? One answer lies in development of a Small Business Network.

Small rural businesses are the backbone of community and economic development for rural areas. They generate new economic value and create opportunities for people to return or move to rural areas.

A Small Business Network can take this a step farther. The network typically links larger urban and trade center businesses to small rural businesses for goods and services that can be outsourced.

The Center for Rural Affairs did an in-depth analysis, Developing a Small Business Network in Nebraska. It showed untapped opportunities in nursery/greenhouse retail, machine shops, printing companies, business services, insurance company claim processing and adjusting, information and data processing and food processing, to name just a few.

A pilot project is now underway to create a Small Business Network in northeast Nebraska. In the next few weeks, we’ll pull together industry leaders, rural economic developers, and small business owners to begin a dialogue on how to make the network a success. The possibilities this project can bring to Nebraska are great – the impact significant.

Contact: Kathie Starkweather, kathies@cfra.org or 402.438.8496 for more information.

Comments

How to sell home grown produce?

Wed, 04/14/2010 - 20:21 — Joseph Granowski (not verified)

How to market home grown produce? How to get a good price? In Texas I do not see any information on this typle of market.

How to sell home grown produce

Thu, 04/15/2010 - 21:48 — Kathie Starkweather (not verified)

Hi, Joseph. There are a number of outlets for home grown produce: farmers markets, starting a CSA (community supported agriculture), even roadside produce stands. It's possible to work with local restaurants, schools, grocery stores and other local institutions too to determine if there is interest in purchasing your produce. The pricing part might best be handled by looking at what some of like-produce is selling for at local farmers markets as a first step -- talk to some of the vendors there to find out how they set their prices. Your state department of agriculture also might be a good place to start. They should have a listing of farmers markets in your state. Getting connected with some of those growers will be very helpful.