Benefits of GROW Nebraska Membership
See how GROW Nebraska members are benefiting from their membership by watching this video.
Do you have a Nebraska based business or service that you want to take to the next level? GROW Nebraska works with companies of all sizes to use effective marketing strategies to grow your business.GROW Nebraska’s mission is to create sustainable economic development by supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses through promotion, market access and education. Look at a few of the benefits membership in GROW Nebraska offers!
Below is an explanation of our services. Still have questions? Visit our FAQ page.
- GROW Book – GROW Nebraska members can participate in the GROW Book, the prime publication for finding Nebraska products and services. In 2010, 2,500 catalogs were distributed to prospects and retailers, as well as being available online in pdf format. Many GROW members have reached new markets through this promotional piece.
- Technology Assistance – GROW Nebraska offers technical assistance such as web design, photography, and workshops. In 2010, technical workshops centered around social marketing tools. In 2011, workshops will include information on writing product descriptions, professional photography and web usability.
- Retail Training Centers – GROW Nebraska has year-round retail training centers in the Hilltop Mall in Kearney and the Conestoga Mall in Grand Island. There are additional temporary locations at the Nebraska State Fair and a Holiday Store in Lincoln. These locations are an effective test market. By working directly with consumers, members are able to see what sells and why. Have questions about how our retail stores work? Learn more in our FAQs.
- Online Opportunities – Consumers can shop online for member products on the GROW Nebraska eCommerce site at shopgrownebraska.org or at the GROW eBay store. Do you have questions about how you get your product on our online stores? Learn more in our FAQs.
- Evaluations – Members can have their products evaluated for labeling, pricing, packaging, and marketability by a panel of five store owners and/or graphic designers. Members can also have their existing web sites evaluated by web development experts to get feedback on their current web sites. The product evaluation and web site evaluation are one-quarter the cost of a similar private business evaluation.
- Reduced Rate Cooperative Advertising – Cooperative advertising offers members the opportunity to take part in cooperative advertising in statewide and national magazines, television and radio. The cooperative reduced rate is generally more than half what a non-GROW Nebraska member pays. GROW Nebraska is also currently working with NTV’s Good Life to create reduced rate television advertising opportunities. Advertising on through this program allows you to reach thousands of potential local customers that can become your best repeat customers.
- Discounted Web Services – GROW Nebraska has the capability to build a web site for entrepreneurs and offers reciprocal links for member sites. Have questions about this service? Learn more in our FAQs.
- Event Postings - GROW Nebraska will list upcoming events for our members on our online calendar.
- Mark it for Market Cooperative UPC Program - GROW Nebraska has barcodes available. These are the standard UPC as applicable to all products, and used to market your products to stores like Amazon, Whole Foods, and Russ’s IGA. Technical assistance is provided to all participants.
- Weekly E-mails - GROW Nebraska sends weekly e-mails about upcoming services offered by the program and partnering programs. View past issues >>
- Loans - GROW Nebraska offers the GROW Direct Loan program in collaboration with the Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP). GROW provides the loan loss reserve and REAP administers the loan program, allowing GROW to offer access to capital up to $5,000. Do you have more questions? Visit our FAQ page.
