Supporting Members Want To See

Nebraska Businesses Thrive

Popcorn businesses, t-shirt creators and retail store members have much to promote about their products, and their businesses are high-profile members of GROW Nebraska.

But many longtime GROW Nebraska members are more behind the scenes and support the non-profit business training and marketing organization because they believe in its mission and have a desire to see Nebraska businesses grow and thrive. These supporting members include banks, utility companies, telecommunications companies and even individuals.

Public Power Districts

Rick Nelsen, senior economic development consultant with the Nebraska Public Power District, said economic development work is important for communities served by NPPD to grow.

“Entrepreneurship and small business are vital pieces of that growth, and GROW Nebraska provides marketing and technical services that we are not able to provide,” Nelsen said. “We appreciate the opportunity to partner with GROW through our sponsorship and participation in GROW events.”

NPPD’s service area includes all or parts of 85 Nebraska counties in towns served by NPPD’s Retail Division, wholesale municipalities and wholesale public power district and rural cooperatives. Nelsen said NPPD offers a wealth of information that may be useful to business owners on its economic development website (http://sites.nppd.com)

Personally, Nelsen said he and his wife benefited from GROW Nebraska as members several years ago when they operated a rubber-stamp business.

“We not only retailed rubber stamps, we also designed, manufactured and wholesaled stamps, and GROW was instrumental in helping us reach potential customers,” he said.

Twin Valleys Public Power District headquartered in Cambridge has also been a long-time supporting member of GROW Nebraska.

Twin Valley serves five counties in southwest Nebraska: Furnas, Red Willow, Frontier, Gosper, Harlan and a small portion of Phelps County.

“It’s important to support our local economy,” said Twin Valley’s General Manager Dave Custer. “The rural part of Nebraska is underserved, and if there’s any way we can help support entrepreneurs selling Nebraska products, we will.”

Custer noted that Twin Valleys currently is managing a USDA Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant program that offers low-interest loans to customers in the Twin Valley service area. Custer said the revolving loan fund has more than $100,000 available to loan to rural business owners. The USDA loan program is intended to create or retain jobs in rural areas.

For more information about Twin Valleys, visit https://twinvalleysppd.com/.

Banks

Several banks are also long-time supporting members of GROW Nebraska.

Mandy Hengelfelt, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Cornerstone Bank, said Cornerstone is committed to helping Nebraska communities thrive.

“We knew we wanted to support GROW Nebraska once we learned of its mission and the valuable resource it is to entrepreneurs in our state,” she said.

Cornerstone Bank has 40 bank locations across Nebraska with many of those locations in towns with populations less than 1,000.

“Cornerstone Bank is family owned and located in small towns where you work with your friends and neighbors,” Hengelfelt said. “We provide the most up-to-date financial technology to help our customers grow.”

She encouraged business owners to visit the website at www.cornerstoneconnect.com for more information about the bank, including CD rates, career opportunities, locations and more.

Karl Randecker, president and CEO of First State Bank of Gothenburg, said his family-owned bank has supported GROW Nebraska since its early days.

“I have been aware of GROW Nebraska for a long time, and I know the organization does good things,” Randecker said. “We have just always supported it.”

First State Bank has locations in Gothenburg, Omaha, North Platte, Wallace and Mullen. Its sister bank (Farnam Bank) has locations in Holbrook, Cambridge, Stamford and Alma.

“We are actively involved in our communities,” Randecker said. “When our businesses do well, we do well.”

For more information about First State Bank, visit http://www.1ststatebank.com.

Telecommunications

BWTelcom is a telecommunications and service provider headquartered in Benkelmen in southwest Nebraska and is also a long-time supporter of GROW Nebraska.

The family-owned company serves the communities of Haigler, Benkelman, Wauneta, Danbury, Lebanon and several counties including Chase, Dundee, Hays, Hitchcock and Red Willow with internet, telephone and cable television services.

Randall Raile, general manager, currently owns the business with his daughter, who is a fifth generation family-member owner. Being a member of GROW Nebraska provides the company with important information to better serve its customers.

“It gives us a broader sense of our responsibilities in our business here,” Raile said. “We get to see how others react and how they provide for their customers.”

By seeing what other business owners are doing, Raile said they can provide the most beneficial services.

For more information about BWTelcom, visit the website at http://bwtelcom.net.

GROW Nebraska is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs through business training, technical assistance, promotion and market opportunities. Please consider donating to GROW Nebraska if you believe in helps Nebraska business owners thrive.

For a listing of all of GROW Nebraska’s supporting members, visit https://grownebraska.org/partners/

Merchant Services

Do you take credit cards? Do you want lower credit card processing fees? We have a merchant program with risk free comparison options that can save you money.

PRIME Grant to Assist Low-Income Entrepreneurs

In the prior PRIME grant, GROW Nebraska® purchased technology equipment for 50 low-income participants and began an intensive training program to teach them to use the technology effectively. The current grant extends that training and allows those who came in at the end of that project to receive additional training as well as bringing in new low- and very-low-income entrepreneurs and small business owners for exceptional training and market access services.

Access to Micro Loans

GROW Nebraska partners with organizations like Nebraska Enterprise Fund, Center For Rural Affairs, and Small Business Association (SBA) to help connect members with micro loans.

Google AdWords *

Through a Google AdWord Grant, GROW Nebraska® offers the opportunity for members to explore this feature at no cost, which can be a great addition to your marketing plan. Google AdWords is an online advertising program used to create ads to reach people that use the Google search tool, who are looking for specific products–like yours. All ads run through the GROW Nebraska Foundation's Website.

MarkeTech Conference

MarkeTech is more than a conference. It’s cutting edge training, valuable networking, and a technology showcase. Be inspired, be engaged, and work hands on with today’s most innovative tools.

MarkeTech provides organizations with tools and ideas advancing their businesses through collaboration between marketing and technology. As a member, save $100 on registration, learn more at www.marketechconference.org.

Free Monthly Training Webinars

Twice a month, on the third and fourth Thursdays, GROW Nebraska hosts free, open-to-the-public trainings. Participants can tune in from any location where they have phone or internet service. Each month GROW Nebraska® features different presenters and topics related to marketing or small business.

GROW Nebraska® also offers free Grow With Google Trainings the first Wednesday of every month. Our Google Trainings are offered in English and Spanish.

GROW Nebraska® Members are encouraged to tune into our "Tuesday Member Talks" which are for GROW Nebraska® Members only. Within these you can chat with staff and experts.

Visit our training page for information on future training dates and topics.

Upcoming Trainings

Social Media Training

Need help getting on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google Places? We offer free individual assistance to get you started in the social media world. This can be a valuable addition to your marketing plan. We will also post or repost information about your business on our social media platforms to make our followers turn into your followers, too, and you can feature videos about your business on our YouTube Channel.

Statewide Workshops

GROW Nebraska® offers a series of workshops focusing on technology and marketing for entrepreneurs. In today’s chaotic world, it is easy to get distracted by advertising proposals that derail our marketing budgets. Attending these workshops gives you a firsthand look at marketing and technology methods to increase the success of your next trip. Business owners, community leaders and marketing staff can accelerate their skills with a small investment of time and money.

Find out more about our upcoming workshops

One-on-One Consulting

We pride ourselves in communicating with our members about what they need and want. This service includes an initial consultation and as many follow-up conferences as each member desires.

"GROW Nebraska has provided marketing leads and encouragement to expand my markets." -Sharon Walde, Heirloom Treasures

"GROW Nebraska helped me find my niche in the market. I've been really happy with the services and opportunities that GROW has provided for me." -Ima Gene Mason, Im's Countryside Painting

eCommerce *

With the help of our ecommerce sites, our GROW Nebraska® members benefit from a strong web presence. Sell your products through our online platforms including BuyNebraska.com, Amazon and Ebay.

Shop Local

Selling and Wholesale

Members are able to join our Mark It to Market UPC program. ($25/code with $5 annual renewal fee). GROW Nebraksa has a UPC Program to help GROW Members get on Amazon and work with large businesses. GROW Nebraska works with number of partners for wholesale opportunities.

Exporting

GROW Nebraska® works hard to help Nebraska businesses reach markets far beyond Nebraska’s and our nation’s borders.

Retail*

GROW Nebraska members have opportunities to sell their products at our Kearney retail location on the Younes Campus, in pop-up stores and at the Nebraska State Fair.

Social Media

GROW Nebraska® is very active on social media, and we use these platforms to reach thousands of fans and followers with information about our members. Read our blog and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, and Tiktok.

Market Testing*

Through our market testing program, you can take advantage of mall and airport traffic that you otherwise would not have access to. You can set up a table any day of the week at our Kearney retail store. You can offer samples or just talk about your product to potential customers. Customers want experiential shopping; they want to meet the artist, author, designer or manufacturer. Think about it like a farmer's market or craft show but without the booth fee! It is a great opportunity to launch a new product, get feedback on a current product, and build your brand.

Proud Member Sign

Every GROW Nebraska® member will receive a "Proud Member of GROW Nebraska®" sign to post in their retail location, office, home or booth.

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TV Opportunities

GROW Nebraska's connections offer members the opportunity to take part in valuable promotional spots on television that have a statewide audience. The cost of these spots would be prohibitive for small businesses, but GROW members can be featured on the NTV Good Morning Nebraska television show through the GROW Nebraska® spot at no cost. Being featured on these shows gives GROW Nebraska’s clients state-wide exposure and helps them brand their name and product. Thousands of potential customers listen to these shows. This is a media that is effective, and thanks to GROW’s efforts, members can access this remarkable marketing asset at no cost.

Member Webpage

We provide all of our members with a webpage within our website. It's easy for members to update with the latest information, videos, photos, events, and job openings. This platform for the webpage is a powerful successful tool for search engine optimization (SEO) and is key for small businesses looking for exposure in today's marketplace.

Product Photography*

In the age of online shopping, stunning product photos are more important than ever. GROW Nebraska can help you make your products shine with professional photography.