Small Business and Community Development Resources

Small Business and Community Development Resources

***PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND SOME RESOURCES MAY NOT CONTAIN INFORMATION. UPDATES WILL BE COMING SOON. MOST OF THESE RESOURCES CAN BE LOCATED WITH A SIMPLE GOOGLE OR BING SEARCH***

If you're looking for more information about how to start, expand or maintain your business you've landed on the right page. This page features local, regional, state, and federal resources. Contact Heritage Tourism Development Director Jarrod McCartney at 402-746-2653 to set up a meeting if you need help navigating these resources. 

You can also fill out a profile now at SourceLink Nebraska and a representative from the Nebraska Business Development Center will help connect you to the proper resources (scroll down to fill out a Personal Action Plan with them right now and a representative with connect will you shortly). 

SourceLink Nebraska

SourceLink Nebraska
SourceLink Nebraska

SourceLink Nebraska is a one-stop shop for Nebraska entrepreneurs, business owners, and resource partners to find the right resource at the right time!

Red Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

Red Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
Red Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

The Red Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization that operates on membership dues and dollars generated from fundraising events. They work to help the community bring in new businesses, support existing business, and share the splendor of the community with others.

Become a Member

The yearly dues are $250 for businesses with more than 10 employees or for GOLD level membership with an ad on this website, $100 for businesses with less than 10 employees, and $50 for individuals. New businesses receive their first year of membership for free. Everyone is welcome to attend the monthly meetings, which are typically held at 5:30pm on the first Thursday of the month at the Red Cloud Community Center.

Mission Statement and Purpose

The Chamber is organized for the purpose of advancing the economic, industrial, professional, cultural, and civic welfare of the Red Cloud area; to encourage the growth of existing industries and businesses while giving proper assistance to any new firms or individuals seeking to relocate in the Red Cloud area; to support all of those activities believed to be beneficial to the community and area, to oppose those which might be detrimental; And in general, to promote the welfare of all area citizens, following always those policies intended to accomplish the greatest good for the greatest number.

Central Community College Entrepreneurship Center

Central Community College Entrepreneurship Center
Central Community College Entrepreneurship Center

Small businesses represent a high percentage of all employers and are critically important to the ongoing growth of our community and country. In 1990, the CCC Foundation received some specific donations, micro loan funds and grants to establish the Small Business Institute to encourage the formation of new, small businesses and to assist existing small businesses with growth opportunities. In 2020, the Small Business Institute (SBI) was rebranded to the Entrepreneurship Center.

The Entrepreneurship Center is an integral part of the CCC Foundation and CCC and partners with several local, state and federal development groups and organizations in providing services.

GROW Nebraska

GROW Nebraska
GROW Nebraska

The GROW Nebraska® Foundation helps entrepreneurs get the resources they need to live in Anywhere, NE and make a sustainable living. Since the inception of GROW Nebraska® in 1998 our vision and mission has never wavered: to create viable economic development through business training, technical assistance, promotion, and access to markets. We create impactful opportunities for small business owners and entrepreneurs to live in “Anywhere”, Nebraska and make a sustainable living.

E3 Business After Hours

E3 Business After Hours
E3 Business After Hours

An informal networking event organized by Red Cloud E3 and made possible by the Red Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. The event is meant for business owners and entrepreneurs and features speakers and resource providers, often talking about marketing, staffing issues, and how to operate in a small market. These events will occur every February, April, July, and Sept. In 2023 events will occur on Feb. 8th (Twisted Petal), Apr. 20th (Olson's Auto Tech & Tire), July 10th (TBD), and Sept. 18th (Kenny's Hardware & Home Center).

 

Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC)

Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC)
Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC)

Website

ABOUT

The University of Nebraska at Omaha, College of Business Administration (UNO CBA) hosts one of the economic and business outreach centers of the University of Nebraska, the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC). NBDC began as one of eight University Business Development Centers in 1977 and has grown to a platform of services and programs that support business development and growth across Nebraska. 

Program areas include:

  • The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of the U.S. Small Business Administration
  • The APEX Accelerator Program of the Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs (DoD OSBP)
  • The FAST program of the U.S. Small Business Administration
  • The EDA University Center of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NU Connections
  • SourceLink® Nebraska, a statewide SourceLink® Network

NBDC helps strengthen Nebraska businesses for a healthy economy and prosperous communities. NBDC is a statewide program, with 10 office locations across Nebraska. NBDC’s credentialed consultants provide confidential, one-on-one business services to entrepreneurs, established business owners, innovators and economic and community development professionals. The services of NBDC are provided mostly at no charge to the client.

The program is hosted by UNO CBA and supports its academic mission, and that of the other four higher education partners (UNL, UNK, Wayne State, and Chadron State), by employing the talents of graduate and student workers in all programs of NBDC. These students receive applied, experiential learning opportunities, working directly with clients under the supervision and direction of the NBDC consultants. Students learn what it takes to start or grow a business in Nebraska, an experience that supplements their academic pursuits.

Partnerships

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has partially funded the NBDC Small Business Management and Technical Assistance program since 1977. NBDC is one of 63 small business development centers (SBDC) in the United States and its territories. 

Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs (DoD OSBP) helps to expand small business importance in the Defense Industrial Base by advocating for small business, setting aside contracts for certain socio-economic groups, and guiding policy. The DoD OSBP supports NBDC's APEX Accelerator program.

Contact Us

Administrative Office
200 Mammel Hall
6708 Pine Street
Omaha NE 68182
402.554.NBDC (6232)
nbdc@unomaha.edu
Consultant/Staff Directory
Mammel Hall Directions/Parking

 

Heritage Tourism Development

Heritage Tourism Development
Heritage Tourism Development

Launched in 2015, Heritage Tourism Development is a collaboration between the Nebraska Community Foundation, the Red Cloud Community Fund, the National Willa Cather Center, the City of Red Cloud, and the Red Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Heritage Tourism Development focuses primarily on developing the area's heritage and tourism related assets, but Director Jarrod McCartney is available for a consultation and can help connect even non-tourism related small businesses to assets and resources at the local, federal, and state levels. Contact McCartney at jmccartney@redcloudnebraska.com or 402-746-2653 for more information or to set up a meeting.

Small Business Administration

Small Business Administration
Small Business Administration

UNL Extension Office of Rural Prosperity

UNL Extension Office of Rural Prosperity
UNL Extension Office of Rural Prosperity

Center for Rural Affairs

Center for Rural Affairs
Center for Rural Affairs

City of Red Cloud

City of Red Cloud
City of Red Cloud

USDA

USDA
USDA

Revitalize, or Die

Revitalize, or Die
Revitalize, or Die

Nebraska Department of Economic Development

Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Nebraska Department of Economic Development

Nebraska Department of Labor

Nebraska Department of Labor
Nebraska Department of Labor

South Central Economic Development District

South Central Economic Development District
South Central Economic Development District

Internships

Internships
Internships

Weibling Entrepreneurship Clinic (Legal Services)

Weibling Entrepreneurship Clinic (Legal Services)
Weibling Entrepreneurship Clinic (Legal Services)

UNK's Center for Entrepreneurship & Rural Development

UNK's Center for Entrepreneurship & Rural Development
UNK's Center for Entrepreneurship & Rural Development

Energizing Entrepreneurs

Energizing Entrepreneurs
Energizing Entrepreneurs