The majority of the membership is professionally employed in economic development as was required in the original by-laws. Amendments, however, have provided for “Associate Members” who are interested in economic development of Nebraska but are not professionally employed in this activity. These “Associates” are entitled to all the rights and privileges of the association except the right to vote and hold office.

The purposes of NEDA as set forth in our constitution are fourfold:

To foster economic development in Nebraska.

To encourage the advancement of the expertise of its members.

To foster cooperation among economic development professionals in Nebraska.

To afford professional economic developers a vehicle for assembly and collective expression.

• The Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan program provides lenders with access to guaranteed loans for business and industrial development, to create and maintain employment, and to expand and improve the economic climate.
• The Rural Energy for America program provides financial assistance and grants to ag producers and rural small businesses to foster the installation of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements.
• The Value Added Grant program provides grant funds to help farmers and ranchers explore new value-added activities and to help expand the marketing and sales of the products they produce.
• The Community Facilities Loan and Grant program provides financing to improve or develop essential community facilities in rural areas and towns.  Community facilities include, but are not limited to:  fire and rescue buildings/equipment, streets utilities, community buildings, libraries, senior centers, day-care centers, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc.
• Rural Business Enterprise/Opportunity Grants support the development of small and emerging businesses for start-up or expansion of their business ventures through training and technical assistance and employment-related adult educational programs.   Possible projects include market expansion, farmers market organizations, employee training, and food processing businesses.
• Rural Cooperative Development Grants improve the economic condition of rural areas through the development of new cooperatives and improving operations of existing cooperatives.

Call us to find out how our programs can help you.

Our contact information is below:

Joan Scheel
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program
402-437-5594

Deb Yocum
Energy Program Coordinator
402-437-5554

Troy Gagner
Community Programs Specialist
402-437-5556

EntrepreneurShip Investigation (ESI) is an exciting, interactive, and comprehensive curriculum project designed for youth, ages 10-19.  ESI uses a variety of tools to help participants develop their entrepreneurial skills and find their business niche.  It consists of three unit booklets – the first raises awareness of entrepreneurship, the second helps children discover the entrepreneur in themselves, and the third addresses basic financial steps to help build a business. More information is available from Pat Fairchild

NebraskaEDGE is the umbrella organization for rural entrepreneurial training programs hosted by local communities, organizations and associations. Since 1993, the NebraskaEDGE has helped nearly 2,250 individuals, small business owners and their partners start and improve their businesses. Over 100 training courses have been held in urban and rural communities across Nebraska. Positive results of NebraskaEDGE programs can be observed all across the state.  More information is available from Marilyn Schlake

Value Added Marketing and Entrepreneurship for sustainable agricultural production was created by University of Nebraska – Lincoln Extension to provide agriculture entrepreneurs a look at different ideas and ways to develop their business and to give them information on nontraditional funding sources.  More information is available from Randy Saner

Southeast Nebraska has launched an Inventors, Investors and Entrepreneurs Club (I2E Club). The I2E Club is designed to foster innovation while providing individuals of all ages with the opportunity to pursue their passion in a supportive and helpful environment.  This networking oriented extension program connects participants with successful entrepre­neurs, creative individuals, and those with business development expertise to help steer a prospective idea toward a patent or business. More information is available from Connie Riemers-Hild

From understanding the basics of starting a food business to individualized step-by-step assistance to the marketplace, the Food Entrepreneur Assistance Program is the place to begin. Since 1989, this nationally recognized program has been helping entrepreneurs from throughout the country achieve their dream of starting a food business. More information is available from Jill Gifford

Entrepreneurs and  their Communities is a national web resource designed to encourage access to Extension entrepreneurial resources from around the United States.  A national team of university faculty and partners coordinate web sharing of the best resources targeting  entrepreneurship on eXtension (http://www.extension.org).  eXtension is an interactive learning environment that connects knowledge consumers with knowledge providers – experts from the nation’s land-grant university system addressing a wide range of research-based issues.

NxBizSuccess started as a shared vision between Community Development Resources, Inc. (CDR) and the NebraskaEDGE program (EDGE), located at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After 15 years of providing loans and business plan training, CDR and EDGE saw the need to move beyond the classroom to the dynamic world of interactive education.

CARI is the focal point within the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for communities and individuals to obtain information and program support they need to enhance their economic and social well-being. Collaboration is the key to CARI’s success.

CARI’s many programs include:

• Nebraska Rural Poll
• NebraskaEDGE
• Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska
• Nebraska Cooperative Development Center
• Sustainable Agriculture

The Buy Fresh, Buy Local initiative includes media outreach and public events to raise awareness of the benefits of eating locally and the diversity of local food options available, in addition to increasing the visibility and viability of a locally based food system.  It includes members that are farmers, restaurants, institutions and groceries…anyone that meets the criteria is welcome! Join them in creating a better Nebraska food community and better Nebraska grown food.

We are committed to creating sustainable communities in Nebraska where people work together to meet their needs and reach their goals. Our center provides technical assistance, education, and training for developing and existing groups. Our services are available for all types of business enterprises.

After completing all levels of the curriculum, youth will have the skills and tools to start their own business, as well as have a completed business and marketing plan – the “road map” to the entrepreneur’s success.

Finally, participants will learn that they can do all of these things without moving to a large city.  The ESI curriculum provides an opportunity to reach young people; enabling them to explore opportunities they can create for themselves with the support of their community.

• Nebraska – We recognize the abundance and potential of Nebraska’s resources: human, social, natural and physical.
• The University – We appreciate the wealth of resources available throughout the University system and its capacity and potential to serve Nebraska. We focus our activity on the unique things a university can do well:

1. Enrich student education and interest students in Nebraska through internships and research opportunities,
2. Identify interested faculty and bring their expertise to bear on rural issues,
3. Support faculty and student research relevant to the growth, development and sustainability of rural Nebraska.

• Regionalism – We are committed to working regionally and encouraging regional cooperation, knowing that the strengths of Nebraska’s communities are magnified when they work together.
• Cooperation – We foster productive relationships with collaborative partners including communities, government agencies, non-profits, businesses in all sectors, the University of Nebraska, and other Nebraska institutions of higher education.