Gov. Heineman Awards First Building Entrepreneurial Communities Funding

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman awarded $140,000 in funding to nine projects as part of the first wave of applications through the new Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA) created as part of the Nebraska Advantage incentive package.

“I’m very pleased we were able to make this funding available for areas of our state that need it most,” Gov. Heineman said. “The goal of the BECA program is to help jump start the revitalization of our rural communities. In addition to this funding, BECA grants will be matched dollar for dollar by those directly involved in strengthening local economies.”

The Building Entrepreneurial Communities program provides grant funding to help create programs that generate and sustain wealth in economically depressed communities and regions of the state. BECA is administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Nebraska Rural Development Commission (RDC). RDC reviewed 13 applications and forwarded recommendations to the Governor.

The nine projects receiving funding include:

Building for the Future of Our Area will receive $13,000 in funding for a cooperative project involving Furnas and Harlan counties. The project is aimed at stimulating small business growth and development, as well as long-term sustainability of local communities. Furnas/Harlan Partnership, Inc. prepared the application, and a group of cooperatives and local community leaders will provide matching funds.

Knox Business Transfer project will receive $2,470 that will be used to help equip 15 to 25 Knox county business owners with effective strategies for business transfer. The Knox County Development Agency submitted the application and will provide matching funds.

The Creating Virtual Entrepreneurs project will receive an $11,020 grant to help Cheyenne county entrepreneurs implement eBusiness and eCommerce web technologies. The Cheyenne County Technology Committee and Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce prepared the application and will contribute matching funds for the effort.

Building Blocks for Community Revitalization & Prosperity will receive $25,000 to help promote entrepreneurship and leadership in the Valentine and Cherry county area. The project will help build community capacity and encourage revitalization. The Valentine/Cherry County Economic Development Board prepared the application, and an additional $25,000 in matching funds will come from Valentine and Cherry county.

Valley County Youth Initiative will receive $17,000 to help attract and retain area youth. Valley County Economic Development prepared the application on behalf of Valley county and the city of Ord. The city and Loup Valley’s Rural Public Power District will provide matching funds.

Chase-Perkins Hometown Competitiveness Program will receive $9,000 do continue a program that identifies issues that affect the ability to attract and grow the local youth population, and helps develop and sustain leadership development programs, charitable giving efforts and entrepreneurship services. Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment prepared the application on behalf of the southwest Nebraska region. Great Plains Communications and the cities of Grant and Imperial will contribute matching funds.

Tri-Edge, the Cambridge/McCook Entrepreneur Development Program, will receive $4,000 to help enhance economic development efforts by offering a new entrepreneurship development program. Cambridge Economic Development prepared the application on behalf of the cities. Several partners including the Cambridge & McCook Economic Development Councils, local business owners and chambers of commerce, Rotary Clubs and individuals will provide matching funds.

Building the Future of Medicine Valley will receive $30,600 to increase the tax base of the area and help attract and maintain businesses, students and families within the designated school districts. The Medicine Valley Economic Development Corporation (MVEDC) and city of Curtis prepared the application on behalf of partnering groups including: Frontier County, the villages of Maywood, Stockville and Moorefield, Medicine Creek Chamber of Commerce, Medicine Valley Schools, Maywood Public Schools, and Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. MVEDC, Free Land Partners, and Curtis’ LB 840 funding will provide the match for the project.

Western Nebraska Entrepreneurial Initiative will receive $28,000 to create a program that will provide education and technical assistance for young small business owners and entrepreneurs. Twin Cities Development prepared the application on behalf of towns and organizations pledging to contribute matching funding, including: Scotts Bluff county, the cities of Scottsbluff, Gering, Bridgeport, and Mitchell, Twin Cities Development, Western Nebraska Community College, and the village of Morrill.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Aaron Sanderford, 402-471-1967
Ashley Cradduck, 402-471-1970

Linda Fettig, RDC, 308-749-2291