Small Business

The most effective development strategy for rural communities is small entrepreneurship – locally owned and operated small businesses.

Strategies
You have a great idea for a new small business. Congratulations! That's the first step. Here are some other ideas and information to consider on your journey to success.

Small Business Programs
Several programs are available to help businesses to become established and grow. Our own Rural Enterprise Assistance Project provides training, technical assistance, and small loans for entrepreneurs in Nebraska.  

Small Business Notes

 
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Midlands Voices: Bill can boost rural broadband in Nebraska communities

By Johnathan Hladik on February 17, 2020 - 1:01pm

With strong support from the Nebraska Legislature’s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee and State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, a bill to improve broadband access in our state is scheduled to be debated on Tuesday.

Legislative Bill 996, Brandt’s priority bill for this session, is a critical step in making our state compatible with a new federal broadband expansion program. In doing so, LB 996 opens the door for a greater share of federal funds directed at financing broadband expansion in unserved areas.

Small business matters in Nebraska

By Johnathan Hladik on January 31, 2020 - 11:19am

Nebraska is home to 145,000 businesses with five or fewer full time-equivalent employees,  accounting for 86 percent of all enterprises in the state. 

From Omaha to Imperial, approximately 24 percent of Nebraskans are employed by these operations. 

With the Nebraska Legislature expected to resume debate this session on Legislative Bill 720, which would create a new batch of business tax incentives for large employers, a much different conversation is taking place inside the Revenue Committee.  

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