LINCOLN, NEB. (April 11, 2007) — Governor Dave Heineman, along with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Nebraska Rural Development Commission, has awarded $224,942 to 10 partnerships through the Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA). This is the final of three application cycles awarding a total of $500,000 BECA funding for FY 2006-2007. BECA is part of the Nebraska Advantage package.

"I'm pleased that in addition to helping provide funding for economic development projects, this program is helping local communities expand and strengthen their entrepreneurial partnerships," Gov. Heineman said. "This program has been successful in helping revitalize Nebraska's rural communities because it encourages local leaders to be involved in the entrepreneurial process. I congratulate each of the partnerships receiving funding and hope that these grants are just the start of a long and successful journey for these new business ventures in Nebraska’s rural areas."

The BECA grants encourage regional projects, and all 10 projects that applied this cycle received funding. Projects must provide 100 percent cash match.

The projects include:

• Chase and Perkins counties received $8,115 to provide educational and technical assistance that targets rural sustainability to existing business owners and entrepreneurs. The Chase-Perkins County Hometown Competitiveness Steering Committee is partnering with the Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation, local governments, and chambers of commerce to provide the services. The cities of Grant and Imperial will match the funding with LB 840 Economic Development Funds.

• The city of Bassett and Rock County partnership received $650 to host “Spend the Day in Rock County” for area residents and employers. Job opportunities in Bassett, and the villages of Newport and Rose will be highlighted during the day. Rock County and Bassett will provide matching funds.

• Garden County Entrepreneurial Community, made up of Garden County, the city of Oshkosh, village of Lewellen and application partners, received $40,000 to establish an economic development steering committee, provide community planning training, and to identify and provide training that promotes new and existing businesses. All project partners, in addition to Volunteers of America, Garden County Commissioners, Garden County Health Services, Garden County Schools, Garden County Community Foundation, Garden County Chamber of Commerce, and Turner Board will provide matching funds.

• Drive for Five Initiative, which involves Platte and Colfax counties and the city of Columbus, will use its $25,000 grant to hire a coordinator to facilitate regional and national marketing and education campaigns to retain and attract employees. The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, Loup Power District, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Columbus Economic Council, Behlen Mfg. Company, Becton Dickinson Medical, Camaco LLC, and applicant partners will match the grant.

• Cambridge-McCook Vision 2010 Initiative, a partnership among the cities of Cambridge and McCook, received $60,000 to produce a regional strategy for developing business and engaging youth and young adults in entrepreneurship and community leadership. The Cambridge Economic Development Board, McCook Economic Development Corporation and Hormel Family Foundation will provide the match.

• The cities of Fullerton and Albion received $2,500 to target young entrepreneurs and small business owners with educational opportunities and technical assistance in the form of teach-ins and networking, with the focus of impacting youth retention. The cities of Fullerton and Albion, and the Center for Rural Affairs will provide matching funds.

• Collaborative Innovation “Rethinking Business Partnerships”, which involves the city of Laurel, and villages of Coleridge, Newcastle, and Wynot, received $41,177 to establish mentorships, apprenticeships and new business ventures. The applicants, along with Laurel-Concord Public Schools, Coleridge Community Schools, Newcastle Public Schools and Wynot Public Schools will provide the match.

• The Logan Valley Initiative, a partnership of the city of Lyons and village of Bancroft, received $5,000 to sponsor workshops, speakers and mentors that increase leadership capacity, empower youth and enhance communications in Pender, Thurston, Bancroft, Rosalie, Lyons and Decatur. Pender Education, Pender Public Schools, Bancroft Public Schools, and Lyons Community Foundation will partner with the applicants to provide matching funds.

• Butler County Development Initiative, which includes Butler County and the city of David City, received $12,500 to design a development strategy based on the building blocks of leadership and business development, and youth and young adults engaged in entrepreneurship and community leadership. Butler County Supervisors, the city of David City, David City Area Chamber of Commerce, David City HomeTown Competitiveness and Butler County Development Alliance will provide matching funds.

• Sherman County Economic Development Project, a partnership of Sherman County and Loup City, received $30,000 to provide technical assistance for new and expanding businesses and tourism attractions, develop entrepreneurial skills of youth and adults, and educate area residents about endowments as a form of permanent financial support. The city of Loup City, Sherman County, Loup City Economic Development Corporation, Sherman County Community Foundation, and the Sherman County Bank will provide matching funds.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Linda Fettig at 308-749-2291, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Individuals who are hearing and/or speech impaired and have a TDD, may contact the department through the Statewide Relay System by calling one of the following numbers:
711, (800) 833- 7352 (TDD), or (800) 833-0920 (voice).
The relay operator should be asked to call DED at (800) 426-6505, or (402) 471-3111.