New funding to support work with microenterprises

LINCOLN, NEB. (January 9, 2006)—Governor Dave Heineman has awarded $447,750 to 12 microenterprise programs statewide to assist in covering operating costs associated with providing lending, pre- and post-loan technical assistance, and training for self-employed businesses (five or fewer employees) across Nebraska.   

These funds are a result of passage of the Nebraska Microenterprise Development Act in 1997. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development contracts with the Nebraska Microenterprise Partnership Fund (NMPF) to administer the grants to programs.  In addition to the grant funds, NMPF raises loan capital that programs may use in making loans to businesses. 

Micro program fund recipients will match the $447,750 with more than $2.3 million of public and private funds (not including other state funds).  This two-tiered matching results in the state dollars being multiplied several times. 

Businesses needing loan capital, training and/or technical assistance are encouraged to contact the following grant recipients:

·                    Catholic Charities/Juan Diego Center, South Omaha – Contact: Karen Mavropoulos, 402-731-5413

·                    Center for Rural Affairs/REAP, rural statewide – Jeff Reynolds, 402-656-3091

·                    Community Development Resources, Lincoln, Lancaster County – Rick Wallace, 402-436-2386

·                    Destination Midtown-Omaha, Douglas County – Tawanna Black, 402-233-7142

·                    GROW Nebraska, statewide – Janell Anderson Ehrke, 800-476-9632

·                    Hastings Economic Development Corporation, Adams County – Randy Chick, 402-461-8415

·                    Lincoln Action Program, Lancaster and Saunders Counties – Cory Smathers, 402-471-4515

·                    Nebraska EDGE, statewide – Marilyn Schlake, 800-328-2851

·                    New Community Development Corporation, Douglas and Sarpy Counties – Tamara Westbrook, 402-451-2939

·                    Northeast Economic Development, 25 counties in northeast Nebraska – Jeff Christensen, 402-649-7223

·                    Vocational Rehabilitation Equity Assistance Program-VREAP, statewide – Jim Coyle 877-637-3422

·                    West Central Nebraska Development District, 18 counties in southwest Nebraska – Martin O’Haus, 308-284-6077

 For more information contact Rose Jaspersen, Nebraska Microenterprise Partnership Fund at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .