(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman announced nearly $320,000 in grants funding for 13 partnerships through the Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA), which supports regional economic and community development partnerships in rural areas of the state.

"BECA is a successful tool for rural development in part because it brings city and counties together with local partners to promote a stronger regional economy," Gov. Heineman said. 

Part of the Nebraska Advantage incentive package, the program is administered by the Nebraska Rural Development Commission. Eighteen partnerships applied for funding. Projects receiving grants include:

Comprehensive Marketing Strategy for Red Cloud & Guide Rock, a partnership between the city of Red Cloud and village of Guide Rock, receives $32,355 to implement a comprehensive marketing strategy encouraging economic growth and promoting regional businesses. Financial supporters include: Sweetwater Artworks Gallery, Cather and Company Booksellers, Olson Enterprises, Alan Amack, Webster County Community Hospital and Clinics, John Sherwood, The Palace Lounge and Steakhouse, Jay Hall, Gary Thompson Agency Inc., Starke Round Barn, Gary Meyer, Peoples-Webster County Bank, Barbara Sprague, Theobold Law Office, the city of Red Cloud, the Willa Cather Pioneer Memorial and Educational Foundation, John and Ardis Yost, Ely Grain and Country Corner, Guide Rock State Bank, Cutters Café, and Green Acres Motel and RV Park. Contact Sue Meline, 402-746-2215

The Dawes County Investors & Entrepreneurs, which includes Dawes County and the cities of Chadron and Crawford, receives $3,750 to help with a planning process focusing on retaining Chadron State College students, along with county and city residents, interested in business transfer or becoming entrepreneurs. Planning grants do not require matching funds. Contact Brenda Johnson, 308-432-4023

DAWSON: Demonstrating Aggressive Ways to Sell Our Nebraska, a partnership between Dawson County and the city of Cozad, receives $39,600 to create marketing materials to help attract and retain residents, promote the Dawson County Careers Web site to those outside Nebraska, and provide entrepreneurship training in technical trades for area youth.  Dawson Area Development and a local business group will provide matching funds on behalf of area cities and businesses. Contact John Bell, 308-784-3902

Grow Garden County, a partnership between Garden County, the village of Lewellen and Garden County Schools, receives $32,000 to develop entrepreneurship skills among students and local residents, as well as develop green industry and eco-tourism opportunities. Garden County, the village of Lewellen, Volunteers of America, JOBS grant-Federal Home Loan Bank, and Garden County Schools will provide matching funds. Contact Lynne Klemke, 308-772-3020

GROW Keith County, a partnership between the city of Ogallala and Keith County, receives $16,435 to create a Web site featuring listings of available jobs, buildings, land, and businesses for sale and encourage former residents to return to the area. Financial partners include 21st Century Equipment, Adams Bank & Trust, American Shizuki, Bank of Keystone, Keith County Area Development, Ogallala Community Hospital, Ogallala/Keith County Chamber of Commerce, Pinnacle Bank, and Western Insurers. Contact Marion Kroeker, 308-284-4066

The Norfolk Area Recruiters Initiative, a partnership between the cities of Battle Creek, Madison and Norfolk and Cuming County, will receive roughly $36,000 to implement a recruiting campaign aimed at former northeast Nebraska residents that includes Web site development and direct mail. Norfolk Area Recruiters and the city of Norfolk will provide matching funds for the project. Contact Patti Knobbe, 402-750-2183

Phelps County Marketing Campaign, a partnership between Phelps County and the village of Funk, receives $36,315 for marketing campaign to recruit alumni and others with compelling local connections to move back to the area. Phelps County Development Corporation and the Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce will provide matching funds. Contact Monica Boyken, 308-995-4148

Promoting Bassett/Rock County as ‘A Place to Be,' a partnership between the city of Bassett and Rock County, receives $32,000 to market city and county assets via radio and a Web site to attract visitors and those interested in relocating. A recruiting video is also planned. The city of Bassett, Rock County, Bassett Family Clinic, Waveform Network, Bassett Livestock Auction, Sandhill Equipment Inc., Whistle Stop, Scott's Place, Rock County Hospital, Commercial Bank, R.F. Goeke, Tri-County Bank, Krotter Lumber, and Greater Sandhills Family Healthcare will provide matching funds. Contact Debbie Seberger, 402-684-3319

Southeast Nebraska Partners for Progress, a partnership between the village of Table Rock and Nebraska City, receives roughly $26,700 to create a Web site with recruitment and technology components encouraging development of local entrepreneurs through education, mentoring services, and business assistance. Financial partners in the project include River Country Economic Development Corporation, Auburn Development Council, Falls City Economic Development & Growth Enterprise, Inc., Pawnee City Development Corporation, Tri-Valley Bank, Humboldt Shares, Inc., and the village of Table Rock. Contact Pat Haverty, 402-873-4293

Southwest Nebraska Regional Business Innovation Network, a partnership between the city of Grant and counties of Hayes, Chase and Perkins, receives nearly $43,700 for training and support programs to strengthen economic development capacity and recruit workers for a five-county area. Financial support comes from the cities of Grant and Imperial, AmFirst Bank of Hayes Center, and the Mid-Plains Community College Center for Enterprise. Contact Ann Burge, 308-354-4338

Web site Development & Design for Orleans & Beaver City, a partnership between the village of Orleans and city of Beaver City, receives $6,000 to develop and build a joint Web site marketing rural living and attracting potential residents to the two communities. Financial support comes from the towns of Orleans and Beaver City, the Orleans Chamber of Commerce, United Presbyterian Church, Prayer Baptist Church, Uncle John's Burgers, American Legion Post #184, Neil and Virginia Collins, and the Beaver City Chamber of Commerce. Contact Rosie Stockton, 308-962-7894

Workforce Scholarship Program, a partnership between the cities of Schuyler and Columbus, receives $10,000 for an effort to educate and train workers for high-demand jobs in Columbus and the surrounding region. The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce will provide matching funds. Contact K.C. Belitz, 402-564-2769

Working Together, Growing Stronger, a partnership between the villages of Eddyville, Miller and Sumner, receives $4,800 for Mustang Country Community Development to provide business owners and entrepreneurs with tools to spark innovation and invigorate the area economy. Mustang Country Community Development will provide matching funds. Contact Janna Pierce, 308-457-3605

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CONTACT
Patty Wood, DED, 402-471-1559