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.

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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.

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

Floristería arma un ramo de éxitos a través de REAP

By Liz Daehnke on August 15, 2019 - 4:00pm

Yomara Hernández ha tenido una historia de amor de toda la vida con todo lo floral.

Desde temprana edad, ayudó a su madre a hacer flores de tela para ramos de novia y decoraciones para bodas con flores naturales y artificiales. Su madre solía venderlos como juegos completos, y ahora Yomara también se dedica a los arreglos florales.

Florist arranges bouquet of success through REAP

By Liz Daehnke on August 9, 2019 - 2:00pm

Yomara Hernandez has had a lifelong love affair with all things floral.

From an early age, she helped her mother make fabric flowers for bridal bouquets, and decorations for weddings with natural and artificial flowers. Her mother used to sell them as complete sets, and now Yomara makes her living selling flowers, too.

Nebraska town to host Latino Women in Business Conference

By Guest Writer on August 8, 2019 - 4:00pm

Registration is open for the first Empowerment for Latino Women in Business Conference, hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs and the Small Business Administration. 

Anna Pratt, Women's Business Center director at the Center for Rural Affairs, says it's the first conference designed for Latino entrepreneurs and small business owners in Nebraska to be presented in Spanish. 

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