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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



New Year Resolution for Entrepreneurs

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 11:08 — Marie Powell
Have you written down your New Year’s resolutions for 2010? If you are a farmer, rancher, civic leader, rural developer, small business owner or are thinking of starting a small business, you should add attending the Center for Rural Affairs’ MarketPlace conference to your list.

MarketPlace: What’s in it for you?

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 10:58 — Marie Powell
The short answer: it will improve your business and your bottom line. The long answer: the information you learn and the networks you create will serve you for years to come. That’s what small business owners who’ve attended MarketPlace are saying.

Survey to Address Needs of Small Rural Business

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 10:56 — Marie Powell
REAP will once again ask Nebraska’s small businesses and those who serve them what their needs are when it comes to business. The 2010 statewide survey of small business needs is a follow-up to a highly successful survey we did two years ago.

REAP Staffer Receives Award

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 10:51 — Marie Powell
2009 was an exceptional year for the Center for Rural Affairs’ REAP program on many fronts, including receipt of several substantial awards. Business Specialists Gene Rahn and Jerry Terwilliger received significant awards earlier in 2009, and now another REAP Business Specialist has earned honors for her work.

Business Plan Basics Class Completed at Venture Center

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 10:47 — Marie Powell

Local entrepreneurs are putting their ideas on paper! Entrepreneurial people have great ideas in their heads, but to move these ideas forward, they need to write them down. A recent Business Plan Basics Course at the Venture Center in Central City gave 10 people that chance.

2010 Governor’s Agri/Eco-Tourism Workshop

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 10:46 — Marie Powell

Explore a fun way to network, learn and cross-promote business at this year’s Nebraska agri/eco-tourism workshop at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Kearney on February 3 and 4, 2010.

Award Offers Boost for Entrepreneur

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 10:44 — Marie Powell
Connie Harvey has witnessed how inefficiency can take down a small business. While working at a bank in rural Nebraska, she watched many small businesses struggle and fail because of inaccurate recordkeeping and management.

Health Insurance Coverage for Small Employers

Tue, 11/10/2009 - 11:39 — Marie Powell

Ann Frohman, Director of the Nebraska Department of Insurance, recently presented information regarding Health Insurance for small employers at an IRS-sponsored Small Business Forum. Ms. Frohman provided insight to the services rendered by her department, and provided the following tips for small employers who are seeking health insurance for themselves and their employees.

Know the Needs of Your Target Market

Tue, 11/10/2009 - 11:36 — Marie Powell

When REAP staff work with business owners or potential business owners, one of the first questions we ask is, “Who is your target market? What is your niche?” It is imperative for a business owner to know who their main consumers will be and how to reach them. They also need to know if there are enough consumers to have a viable business.

Family Needs Met by Entrepreneurship

Tue, 11/10/2009 - 11:35 — Marie Powell

Maria Alvarado opened Alvarado’s Tax Services in 2006. Driven by the need for a more flexible schedule, Alvarado has built a successful business and won the Women and Company Microenterprise Boost Program award from the Center’s REAP program.

Marketing Workshops Educate Small Businesses

Tue, 11/10/2009 - 11:29 — Marie Powell

Do you want to beef up your bottom line, reach new markets and expand your client base? How about growing your business? Attend a GROW Nebraska Marketing Workshop to learn how to achieve these goals.

Bookkeeping Basics Sessions Held at New Venture Center

Tue, 11/10/2009 - 11:25 — Marie Powell

The Merrick County Foundation and REAP joined forces to facilitate training for entrepreneurs with the assistance of a grant from the Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA). BECA funds allow communities to provide assistance to small businesses and potential business owners at an affordable cost.

Business Plan Basic Training in Imperial

Tue, 11/10/2009 - 11:22 — Marie Powell

Imperial is the site for REAP’s five-week Business Plan Basics training. The topics are being covered in Spanish and include Marketing, Advertising/Promotion, Customer Relations, Financial Management and Goal Setting.

Stepping Up During Difficult Economic Times

Fri, 10/09/2009 - 14:00 — Marie Powell
The past several years have been tough, and small business survival is a major concern. Discretionary spending often determines if a small business will make a profit. In a recession, discretionary income takes a sharp downturn. Other economic factors exert pressure as well. Markets continue to be squeezed from increasing competition, diminishing loyalty in local purchasing, and, in some cases, shrinking markets. The bottom line – small businesses are struggling to keep their heads above water. Owning and operating a small business is hard in the best of times. It’s doubly tough during the worst of times.

REAP Lending: Over Half a Million in Loans Made

Fri, 10/09/2009 - 13:51 — Marie Powell

REAP loan programming had an exceptional year from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009. We placed 52 loans totaling $572,300 during this time frame. Of this total, one loan of $950 was placed through the Quick Grow Express Loan, 22 loans totaling $83,650 were placed with the REAP Rapid Loan, and 29 loans totaling $487,700 were placed through the REAP Direct Loan.

REAP Women’s Business Center Year in Review

Fri, 10/09/2009 - 13:47 — Marie Powell

The REAP Women’s Business Center (WBC) turned eight in October 2008. That date also marked the 3rd year of our sustainability funding. Through ¾ of the year, REAP business specialists have provided 1,672 hours of business counseling to 380 clients. Seventy-three training opportunities were offered, reaching 1,084 people – 60 percent women. Approximately 62 start-up businesses have received assistance.