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

 

The Rushmore State – Carving out a business profile

The top need for small businesses in South Dakota is finding quality employees. Owners also identified employee quantity issues as the leading growth inhibitor.

“The Rushmore State – Carving out a Business Profile: 2017 South Dakota Small Business Needs Assessment Results,” is authored by Dr. Patricia Ahmed, lecturer at South Dakota State University; and Dena R. Beck, senior project leader and loan specialist of the Center for Rural Affairs’ Rural Enterprise Assistance Project and Rural Investment Corporation.

File attachments: 

PDF icon The Rushmore State – Carving out a business profile

Center for Rural Affairs January and February newsletter

This edition of our newsletter focuses on genuine OPPORTUNITY for all to earn a living, raise a family, and prosper in a rural place.

Brian writes about current opportunities that may be slipping away from rural citizens. As they stand at the time of print, both tax bills in Congress benefit the wealthy and large corporations, while doing little for everyday people and small town development.

File attachments: 

PDF icon Center for Rural Affairs January and February newsletter
More publications

From the desk of the executive director: entrepreneurship lifts families and sustains communities

By Brian Depew on April 5, 2019 - 2:30pm

The Center for Rural Affairs is a small business lender, but we are different than a bank. In the last year, we made loans to support 126 small businesses in rural Nebraska, investing a total of $2.4 million. For us, that is just the start of our work.

We know that capital alone cannot ensure success. Education, training, and mentoring are essential to establishing any new business. That is why our business specialists work with business owners on planning, projections, and helping navigate the details that come along with running a small business.

Lending, technical assistance key for Nebraska's small rural businesses

By Johnathan Hladik on April 3, 2019 - 1:00pm

As any first-time business owner will tell you, getting started isn’t easy. Take Lane and Melanie Seifert of ABC Blinds & Shades in Scottsbluff. As they transitioned into full-time ownership of their custom window coverings business, the couple faced big-time hurdles when it came to obtaining financing and learning the skills of managing and marketing for success.

More news