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Economic Development
Contact the North Central Development Center for the latest information on economic opportunities and development our region.
Taken from the North Central Development Center (NCDC) web sit at ainsworthlink.com
Are You Thinking of Starting A Business?
There are several business and service "gaps" in our communities that could be filled by savvy entrepreneuers. If you have a business in mind, or a special skill or talent that could lend itself to filling one of these gaps, think about relocating to the KBR area of north central Nebraska. Our communities welcome you!
Here are some examples of "gaps" that need filling:
Rent-All business
Jewelry store
Children's clothing store
Quality rental homes
Licensed Day Care facility in Bassett
Laundromat in Ainsworth
Assisted Living facility (Springview/Bassett)
Can you think of a gap that's not listed here? Give us a call at 402-387-2740 (ext 10) and share your ideas! (Kristin Simonson, Executive Director NCDC)
Our Beginning
In the early 1990's, the concept of an economic development office in a small community was new and quite visionary. On September 3, 1992, a group of community leaders signed a commitment to launch the Community Service and Development Program for citizens residing in north central Nebraska. The task force then applied for a non-profit status and changed it's name to the North Central Development Center.
A partnership was formed between local entities and a Community Development Block Grant was secured to hire an executive direcotor and purchase a main street facility. Since that time the NCDC office has been active in technology advancement and training, business retenition and recruitment, and grant writing. It has been involved in the NCIP program and has provided assistance with tourism and community events throughout Keya Paha, Brown and Rock Counties.
Our Purpose
The NCDC is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization serving Keya Paha, Brown and Rock Counties. It's purpose is to support economic development, education and quality-of-life throughout north central Nebraska. More specifically, it is a singular point of reference for area businesses needing assistance in planning, implementing and procuring financial assistance for business expansion or start-up as well as arrange for contacts with other agencies such as the Nebraska Business Development Center, Nebraska Department of Economic Development and USDA Rural Development.
The NCDC also assists in coordinating classes and providing a facility for adult continuing education classes and meetings of non-profit groups. The NCDC facility provides a central office for tourism information with the responsibility to receive and respond to all inquiries by phone, mail and e-mail. It also houses the tourism display and the Ainsworth Area Chamber of Commerce promotional items.
Our Goals
We continue to build on the purposes originally established in 1992. These visions include:
Providing a singular point of reference for businesses needing assistance in planning, start-up or expansion.
Providing a singular point of reference for non-residents to receive information on relocation, employment opportunities or tourism.
Providing continuing education.
Providing technical assistance for community projects and planning.
Providing community grant writing services.
We are committed to developing our communities. It is our belief that we can develop the area resources to help our economy prosper and continue to provide high quality education for all ages and still maintain the life style we value.
Executive Director
Kristin Simonson
Directors/Officers
Kim Buckley, President ;
Directors are Lynn Moore, Lisa Chohon, Sheryl Graff, Al Graves, Richard Albrecht, Bruce Ritterbush, Greg Soles, Kim Buckley, Patty Barstow and Kristi Thornburg.
Our Primary Partners
Ainsworth Chamber Commerce
Ainsworth Community Schools
Brown County Lodging Tax
City of Ainsworth
City of Long Pine
KBR Solid Waste
Keya Paha County (Springview, NE is county seat)
Resources
Business/Community Development
North Central Development Center
Sandy Benson , Executive Director
Technical Assistance
Business Services
Project/Event Planning
Grant Writing
Funding/Business Planning
Nebraska Business Development Center
Loren Kucera - LoKucer1@wsc.edu
Wayne, NE
402-375-7575 Rural Enterprise Assistance program (REAP)
Eugene Rahn - erahn@inetnebr.com
Atkinson, NE
402-925-2920
Funding
USDA
Mary Gambill, Rural Development - mary.gambill@ne.usda.gov
USDA Service Center, Ainsworth
402-387-2242 US Small Business Administration
Nebraska District Office
Omaha, NE
402-221-4691
A Word About Grants
Most for-profit business grants (money not paid back) are tied to employment. These are acually not grants but forgivable loans that are awarded only if all requirements, including a minimum number of employees, base wage and benefits, are met for the duration of the project. Therefore, grants are normally not funded for micro businesses (up to 5 employees). For these, we look to low interest, long term loans through commercial lenders or alternatively funded programs such as REAP and Small Business Administration. |
Business Development
