Keith County Intensive Business Development Project is a Success
- published: 2018/10/17
- contact: Jean Waters - Nebraska Business Development Center
- phone: 402.554.6259
- email: jwaters@unomaha.edu
- search keywords:
- consulting
- Ogallala
- Keith County
- Keith County Economic Development
Ogallala and Keith County businesses recently participated in an Intensive Business Development week with the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC), a department of the College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. NBDC has a state-wide program that includes an office at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, located on the Nebraska Innovation Campus.
Businesses that participated in the week-long consulting opportunity included two manufacturers, a value-added agricultural producer, a grocery store, and three retail establishments. The businesses received financial consulting to review profitability and cash flow and benchmark their operations against similar size and type of business. They received market research studies to identify the current and future market for their goods or services. This included specific assistance and strategy regarding internet sales and exporting. Technology commercialization assistance was provided for one manufacturer working on a new, innovative product. In addition, business transition services were provided for businesses beginning to think about how to eventually sell/exit their business.
Umeda Islamova, the NBDC Center Director for Lincoln and southeast Nebraska said, “It was a joy to work with these innovative businesses in Ogallala. The business owners are very creative and energetic. We were able to provide them some technical consulting that they needed in a way that fit into their schedule. I look forward to seeing their success as a result.”
Mary Wilson, Keith County Area Development Executive Director, worked with NBDC to bring this opportunity to existing businesses in Keith County. “We appreciate all the businesses that are already located in Keith County and want to provide them recognition and opportunities to help them grow. We’re glad NBDC was able to bring its consultants from across the state for this intensive business development project. Our businesses found it very valuable,” Mary stated.
NBDC is a program of the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Business Administration. Services are provided in cooperation with Chadron State College, University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, and Wayne State College. Office locations include North Platte, McCook, and Scottsbluff as well. Partial funding is provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and First National Bank of Omaha.
Businesses that participated in the week-long consulting opportunity included two manufacturers, a value-added agricultural producer, a grocery store, and three retail establishments. The businesses received financial consulting to review profitability and cash flow and benchmark their operations against similar size and type of business. They received market research studies to identify the current and future market for their goods or services. This included specific assistance and strategy regarding internet sales and exporting. Technology commercialization assistance was provided for one manufacturer working on a new, innovative product. In addition, business transition services were provided for businesses beginning to think about how to eventually sell/exit their business.
Umeda Islamova, the NBDC Center Director for Lincoln and southeast Nebraska said, “It was a joy to work with these innovative businesses in Ogallala. The business owners are very creative and energetic. We were able to provide them some technical consulting that they needed in a way that fit into their schedule. I look forward to seeing their success as a result.”
Mary Wilson, Keith County Area Development Executive Director, worked with NBDC to bring this opportunity to existing businesses in Keith County. “We appreciate all the businesses that are already located in Keith County and want to provide them recognition and opportunities to help them grow. We’re glad NBDC was able to bring its consultants from across the state for this intensive business development project. Our businesses found it very valuable,” Mary stated.
NBDC is a program of the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Business Administration. Services are provided in cooperation with Chadron State College, University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, and Wayne State College. Office locations include North Platte, McCook, and Scottsbluff as well. Partial funding is provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and First National Bank of Omaha.