Home

REAP Newsletter

The REAP Business Update newsletter is published quarterly for REAP members and others interested in starting, expanding and supporting small rural businesses. The Rural Enterprise Reporter is published every September as REAP's annual report.

Current articles appear below | Newsletter Archive and pdf versions | Sign Up for Updates



Trainings Offered Across Nebraska Empower Many

Tue, 11/22/2011 - 22:51 — Marie Powell

REAP WBC laptops have been making the rounds in Southeast Nebraska. A QuickBooks session was held in Falls City in collaboration with the Five Rivers RC&D in July. Sessions were held in Hebron with the Thayer County Economic Development Alliance in September. More sessions are planned in Fillmore, Antelope, Holt, Cherry, Platte and Valley counties in the months to come.

Love of Outdoors Grows into Business

Tue, 11/22/2011 - 22:42 — Marie Powell

REAP clien Midwest Outdoors, LLC
Archery is a specialty of the staff at Midwest Outdoors, LLC. The business launched after two entrepreneurs let their passion grow into a business.
Archery is one specialty of the staff at Midwest Outdoors, LLC. The business launched after two entrepreneurs let their passion for the outdoors grow into a business.

Andy Leighty and Seth Jensen started Midwest Outdoors in Andy’s basement as a side venture to their construction businesses. The pair was testing potential demand in the region before they leaped into the new venture.

Happily, the signs were positive, and the two businessmen opened their full time hunting and fishing store in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Feb. 28, 2011. In addition to hunting and fishing basics, the shop also offers trapping supplies and some apparel.

Andy and Seth grew up in the Nebraska outdoors and take pride in their one-on-one customer service, extensive knowledge base, and the quality products. Their niche is archery. Midwest Outdoors is the only full-service archery shop in Grand Island, and boasts a single indoor lane out to 15 yards and a single outdoor lane out to 70 yards.

Looking into the Future for Business Recovery and Growth

Tue, 11/22/2011 - 22:30 — Marie Powell

America’s businesses form the backbone of the economy. Small businesses account for more than 99 percent of all companies with employees. They employ 50 percent of all private sector workers and provide nearly 45 percent of the nation’s payroll.

A commitment to planning today will protect your business investment and give your company a better chance for survival. Part of business planning is predicting the amount of capital your business needs to operate and expand. But what happens when banks aren’t lending?

Gearing up for Christmas with Shop Local, Shop Small

Tue, 11/22/2011 - 22:22 — Marie Powell
by Joanne Steele, Rural Tourism Marketing Group

Christmas ads are starting to appear on television and stores are stocking their Christmas decoration aisles. This year could be unusually good for small local businesses for two reasons.

1. Shop Local campaigns are gaining traction in small towns all over the United States.

Residents have been educated about the benefits of spending their limited dollars as close to home as possible, thanks to organized shop local campaigns, and the buzz about “shop local” that has even infected the media.

REAP Meets Demand of Tough Economy

Fri, 09/23/2011 - 11:58 — Marie Powell
Fiscal Year 2011 broke all records for the REAP program. We helped massive numbers of startup and existing entrepreneurs throughout Nebraska, placed the most loans in the history of the program, and reached large numbers of women and Hispanic entrepreneurs. The need for our services is at an all- time high.

REAP Assists Hispanic Entrepreneurs to Pursue American Dream

Fri, 09/23/2011 - 11:56 — Marie Powell
Great things have been happening in the last 12 months in the REAP Hispanic Business Center. Nine computer classes were held in the Nebraska communities of South Sioux City, Norfolk, Columbus and West Point. Over 300 individuals were trained on Computer Basics, E-Commerce and Microsoft Office.

Collaboration Is Key for Women’s Business Center

Fri, 09/23/2011 - 11:55 — Marie Powell
The REAP Women’s Business Center (WBC) had a stellar year. In the last 9 months, REAP Business Specialists provided 1,410 hours of business counseling to 341 clients. We offered 121 trainings to 1,302 people – 65 percent who were women. Approximately 45 startup businesses received assistance.

Record-Breaking Amount of Loans Placed

Fri, 09/23/2011 - 11:54 — Marie Powell
The REAP loan program had a record-breaking year from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. We placed 69 loans totaling $1,004,200. Historically, REAP loans total $6,899,946.

That’s Impressive: Success from REAP Regions

Fri, 09/23/2011 - 11:53 — Marie Powell
Entrepreneurs in Nebraska are served by REAP staff across the state. The staff is organized by region. We share a glimpse of activities from every part of Nebraska. You can see the 5 REAP service areas here.

REAP Staff Growing New Partnerships

Fri, 09/23/2011 - 11:52 — Marie Powell
REAP was started by the Center for Rural Affairs in 1990 to meet the needs of the self-employed in the rural Midwest. A Center study in the late 1980’s demonstrated a high rate of self-employment in rural areas, but no economic development strategies to help this sector. REAP was a leader then and continues to be.

New Initiatives and Organizing

Fri, 09/23/2011 - 11:51 — Marie Powell
Last year, we added a Spanish language option to the REAP Online Lending System. Our maximum loan amount increased to $50,000, the Rapid Loan to $10,000, and the definition of micro services rose to include businesses with 10 or fewer employees.

REAP: Mission and Structure

Fri, 09/23/2011 - 11:50 — Marie Powell
Small business owners must compete and succeed in a rapidly changing environment. The Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP), a program of the Center for Rural Affairs, is a small business development program that can help!

Access to Capital Key for Small Business

Thu, 07/21/2011 - 21:50 — Marie Powell
Many banks have either steered away from small business lending or have severely tightened their credit standards. It’s no secret small business lending is very risky in normal times. Programs like REAP assist entrepreneurs in finding traditional and non-traditional sources of income.

SBA Develops Mobile App

Thu, 07/21/2011 - 21:47 — Marie Powell

Are you starting a new business or do you need help taking your business to the next level? The Small Business Administration has developed an “app” to help smart phone users find SBA-affiliated advisers located near them and to get free, personal, one-on-one help with starting and growing the business.

Selling Stress Relief Latest Trend

Thu, 07/21/2011 - 21:45 — Marie Powell
Are you looking for a way to market your product or service effectively? One tactic that has proven to be sure-fire throughout the recession is this: selling stress relief.

REAP Women’s Business Center Activities

Thu, 07/21/2011 - 21:42 — Marie Powell

REAP WBC laptops have been making the rounds in Southeast Nebraska. QuickBooks sessions have been held in Tecumseh, Auburn and Nebraska City in collaboration with the Five Rivers RC&D. More sessions are planned, possibly in the Crete and Fairbury areas.