LINCOLN (October 24, 2007) - The Nebraska Microenterprise Partnership Fund announces the award of $470,250 in state funds to 9 microenterprise programs.  These programs provide lending, pre- and post-loan technical assistance, and training to self-employed businesses (five or fewer employees) in urban and rural areas of Nebraska.  This funding is made possible through the Nebraska Microenterprise Development Act, which was enacted by the State Legislature in 1997. 

 The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has contracted with the Nebraska Microenterprise Partnership Fund (NMPF), a private, nonprofit corporation, to administer the Microenterprise Development Act funds.  In addition to this public funding the Nebraska Microenterprise Partnership Fund will make loan capital available to programs for use in making loans to micro businesses.  NMPF’s loan funds come from a variety of sources including US Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, First National Nebraska CDC, Great Western Bank, US Small Business Administration, and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund of the US Treasury.   

Micro program fund recipients will provide a 25% match with public and private funds (not including other state funds).  Because of this two-tiered matching, the state’s investment is being multiplied several times. 

The nine award recipients and contacts are: 

• Catholic Charities Microbusiness Program, Omaha.  Karen Mavropolous 402-731-5413
• Center for Rural Affairs REAP.  Jeff Reynolds 402-656-3091
• Community Development Resources, Lincoln.  Rick Wallace 402-436-2386 
• GROW Nebraska.  Janell Anderson Ehrke 888-476-9632
• Ho Chunk CDC.  Judi Meyer 402-846-5353
• Lincoln Action Program HDC.  Jennifer Buxton 402-471-4515 ext. 110
• Nebraska EDGE-Center for Applied Rural Innovation.  Marilyn Schlake 800-328-2851
• Northeast Economic Development, Inc.  Jeff Christensen 402-649-7223
• West Central Nebraska Development District.  Dave Jibben 308-284-6077 

“Micro programs continue to reach increasing numbers of businesses across the state.  These state dollars make this work possible,” said Rose Jaspersen, NMPF Executive Director.   Businesses in need of loans, training and/or technical assistance are encouraged to contact these programs. 

 Contact:  Rose Jaspersen402-685-5500 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it