Diplomats draw business into Nebraska

Imagine a business environment where new entrepreneurs can work together closely with large corporations and build, expand and promote business in the heartland. This is the basic idea behind the Nebraska Diplomats Inc., a non-profit corporation that builds alliances and networks between businesses and promotes business in the state of Nebraska. Nebraska Diplomats has been in service for 40 years and is the state’s largest economic development organization.

Over 400 businesses claim membership with Nebraska Diplomats. These members come from nearly every corner of the state, representing most cities and towns in Nebraska.

Richard Baier, director for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, said the primary role of the Diplomats is to build economic development.

“The Diplomat’s function is to promote the state,” Baier said. “They support entrepreneurs who then support others and connect these different entrepreneurs. They do a lot with existing companies and connecting those together.

One event the Diplomats host is the Passport to Nebraska weekend. During this event, other businesses from outside the state visit Nebraskan businesses in an effort to understand what Nebraska is all about. These guests come from all over the nation as well as 10 different countries around the world.

Last year, the diplomats hosted site selection consultant businesses and took them across the state to learn how to do business in smaller towns but also in the larger cities of Omaha and Lincoln. By hosting these companies, it spreads the word about successful business in Nebraska and helps promote business growth in the state.

Diplomats also work with fund raising events in an effort to raise financial support from corporations for different funds that state dollars are unable to cover. This is one way the diplomats are able to have a hands-on role in the fund raising of money for different events.

Baier said one of the greatest benefits of Nebraska Diplomats is the wide variety of members. Not only do entrepreneurs have the resources available but with these networking opportunities, the small business owner is able to have banks, corporations and other entrepreneurs to use as resources.

“Anybody that owns a business in Nebraska would surely be encouraged with the diplomats,” Baier said. “We’re looking at those who have an interest in economic development. We see bankers, we see entrepreneurs. We see a real mix of those folks.

“It’s really interesting in seeing the synergy in this process to see how people connect. It’s not only doing your job by bringing people to Nebraska but it’s also a way to benefit yourself.”

Those interested in joining Nebraska Diplomats can fill out an application on the website. A current member of Nebraska Diplomats must recommend prospective applicants. Baier said the applicant and a Diplomat can easily be matched up. There is also an annual fee of $250 to keep membership, but Baier insisted that all the resources and benefits that come with a membership with the Diplomats makes the fee worth the expense.

“If we really have someone with a passion willing to promote business in Nebraska, we never turn them down.”