Local Individuals, Businesses, and Organizations Nominated for Chamber Awards

The Annual Ord Area Chamber of Commerce and Valley County Economic Development Banquet is just around the corner.  In conjunction with this year’s theme of “Vision Valley County,” the Chamber of Commerce will be presenting eight awards to individuals and Chamber businesses that have shown remarkable leadership, goodwill, and commitment to our community.  Throughout the past few weeks, Chamber businesses submitted their nominations and voted online.  The nominees for each category are as follows:

ExtraORDinary Citizen:
This individual has made notable contributions to the community through public service, leadership, their ability to effectively work with others, and/or entrepreneurial efforts throughout the year 2011.  This nominee (or their business/organization) must be a Chamber member. 

Alan Gabriel
Becky Ries
Dahn Hagge
Dale Zadina
Danielle Proskocil
Guy & Jennifer Lewis
Heather Sikyta
Janie Zadina
Kayla Hinrichs
Mark Hagge
Megan Cargill
Russ Blaha
Sally Domeier

Silver Citizen Award:
This individual is at least 50 years old, has made notable contributions, and shown outstanding public service to the Ord area over the past 25 years.  Chamber membership is not a requirement.

Butch Koehlmoos
Dale Zadina
DiAnne Hughes
Dr. Bernie Keown
Eulalia Edwards
Frank Smedra
Gaylord Boilesen
Mary Molle
Paul Markowski
Ray Scott
Rich Klimek
Steve Wolf
Walt Smith

ExtraORDinary Young Citizen:
This individual is 18 years old or younger and has made notable contributions to their school and community.  Chamber membership is not a requirement.  

Bryant Els
Devin Cronk
FBLA
Johnny Ference
Katie Peterson
Melani Hagge
Ord High School Drama Team – Cast & Crew

Partner in Progress:
This individual has donated their time to help with Chamber projects and activities.  They provide valuable input and are active participants in Chamber efforts.  This nominee (or their business/organization) must be a Chamber member. 

Ashley Woodward
Dahn Hagge
Heather Sikyta
Kiley White/Grocery Kart
Laura Pokorny
Mark Hagge
Megan Cargill
Sue Blaha

Rising Star Award:
This award is to recognize a business that has been established within the past five years.  This could also include a business that has pursued a new venture within this time period.  They contribute to the community and actively participate in the Chamber.  This business must be a Chamber member.

Agland Electric & Irrigation
Misko Sports/Clay & Jennifer Ramsey
Scott’s TV
Technology 1^st
Valley Fire Pottery
Wray Insurance Agency

ExtraORDinary Organization:
This organization (non-profit or not-for-profit) has demonstrated good stewardship of dollars and exhibits community impact and involvement.  This organization must be a member of the Chamber. 

FBLA – Jennifer Remmereid
Loup Valley Ag Society
Loup Valley Jaycees
Make Christmas Happen – Plain Valley Extension Club
Ord Rotary
Second Hand Rose
St. John Lutheran Church & Bethany Lutheran Church
Teammates
Valley County Community Foundation Fund
Valley County Health System
Veteran’s Club

Community Development & Improvement Award:
This award is to recognize a project that has helped to improve the Ord area and/or benefited Ord area residents.  Please indicate the individual or organization responsible for the success of the project.  Chamber membership is not a requirement.

FBLA
Good Beginnings
New Neighborhoods/Rolling Hills Townhomes
Ord Car Club
Ord High School Addition & Renovation
Ord Volunteer Fire Department
Vision Valley County

Interactive Media and/or Website Development Award:
This award is to recognize a business that has taken on the challenges of creating an interactive website(s) or social media site(s) to improve their business.  This business must be a Chamber member.

Family Resources – www.family-resources.net
Ord Public Schools – www.ordps.org
Ord Township Library – www.ordlibrary.org
Sports Shed – www.sportshedetc.com
Valley County Health System – www.valleycountyhealthsystem.org
Wolf Auction & Real Estate – www.wolfnebraska.com

All nominees are very deserving of these awards.  Winners will be announced at the banquet on Saturday, February 25 at the Ord Veteran’s Club.  Social hour will begin at 6:00 pm and dinner and awards will begin at 7:00 pm.  This year’s guest speaker is Aaron Davis, motivational speaker and member of the 1994 National Championship Husker Football team.  Tickets are $30 per person or $50.00 per couple.  Corporate tables, which seat six, are also available for $200.  You can purchase your tickets from the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce, 1514 K Street, or from any Chamber or Economic Development board member.

Youth Business Discovery Day Held in Ord

(Ord, NE) – Fifty-eight students from Valley, Greeley, and Sherman Counties joined twenty area business leaders in a day dedicated to entrepreneurship and business discovery, on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. Guest presenters included Gregg Christiansen, Entrepreneurship Career Education Specialist with the Nebraska Department of Education, Nancy Eberle, Special Projects Coordinator, UNL Extension, and Diane Vigna, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Textiles and Apparel, UNL.

Students, business leaders, and guest presenters were welcomed to Ord by Derry Trampe, Ord High School Business Teacher and co-author of the UNL Extension 4-H Entrepreneurship Curriculum.  A local entrepreneur, Vicky Hruby-owner of Baking From My Heart made cinnamon rolls for all participants and visited with students about how she started her home-based business through the local Farmer’s Market.

 Then students began the day by learning how to use their unique qualities and strengths to build a successful life and business.  All students completed the Gallup StrengthQuest Survey prior to attending the event and Gregg Christiansen presented an interactive interpretation of the survey results. 

Next, students worked in teams with their peers and local business leaders to compete in a Whatchamacallit Competition at the CCC Ord Learning Center!  Teams were presented with the challenge of developing a business concept and marketing plan around an unknown object and asked to present their plan to a panel of judges and their peers.  The Best Overall Presentation including business concept and marketing plan was awarded to the team that created the “Energy Saver 3000”.  Team members included Elizabeth Einspahr, Skyler Erickson, Kloreace Pokorny, Kaleigh Koch and Roger Lansman (team mentor).  Each student on this team won a $50.00 cash card and other prizes, donated by Great Western Bank.

Lunch was provided by the Country Neighbor. Owner Marcia Vodenhal visited with participants about how she started her restaurant business and her quest for marketing her salad dressings across the nation! 

In the afternoon, students went on guided tours of five local businesses, including Good Life Pharmacy, Valley Cinema, Valley Fire, Anderson’s Pharmacy, and Misko Sports.  Students learned about the components of successful businesses and were given the opportunity to ask local business owners questions about entrepreneurship and effective rural business practices. 

“I was really pleased that we had such enthusiastic participation from Arcadia, Greeley-Wolbach, and North Loup-Scotia students.  I was also impressed with the creativity these students had with their business and marketing plan presentations.  We seem to have tapped into a real interest that young people have in the economy and in rural entrepreneurship.  I am excited for continued activities in engaging our area youth to think creatively about what they want for their futures in rural Nebraska!  Another highlight was the involvement of our area business owners and employees who mentored our youth groups through the activities and business tours.  Exciting and informative tours of Anderson Pharmacy & Gifts, Good Life Pharmacy, Misko Sports, Inc, Valley Cinema, and Valley Fire & Pottery really inspired all participants,” said Lu Lansman, Ord Rural Community Development Regional Coordinator.

Caleb Pollard, who served as a team mentor and tour guide stated, “Business Discover Day offers our area young adults a chance to see what real opportunities look like in our community. We want our youth to go out, get a worldly education and experience, and bring that home to run successful businesses in the future. Students learned from our local business owners that it IS possible to return home and be successful. I’m very hopeful this message has a strong impact on our future, and I believe it will.” Caleb Pollard is the Executive Director of the Valley County Economic Development and Ord Area Chamber of Commerce. 

The day concluded with a challenge to all participating students to get involved in their communities by working with local business leaders, becoming active members of FBLA, and promoting recycling from Jennifer Remmereid, Ord FBLA Coach.  Mark Hagge, Ord High School Principal, presented awards and prizes to students and offered students this quote from President Calvin Coolidge, “The business of America is BUSINESS!”  Mr. Hagge encouraged students to develop a competitive zeal and embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship throughout their lives.

 The Business Discovery Day was hosted by the Ord High School, Ord Future Business Leaders of America Chapter (FBLA), Valley County Community Foundation Fund, and Central Community College/Rural Community Development Initiative Grant-Ord Learning Center. The hosts of this event would like to extend sincere appreciation to all schools, area businesses, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who supported the Business Discovery Day.

Microenterprise Grants Available

We’re passing along a press release from the good folks over at the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. As part of the new Talent and Innovation Initiative in 2011, new funding is available to develop revolving loan funds for microenterprise. Check it out:

March 15 is deadline for state’s Microenterprise Lending Program

(LINCOLN, NEB.) Eligible nonprofit organizations now have until March 15 to apply for up to as much as $700,000 in grant funding per year in 2012 and 2013 through the state’s Microenterprise Lending Program. Administered through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), the program is part of the Governor’s Talent & Innovation Initiative (T12) passed last May by the Nebraska Legislature.

Eligible applicants include Nebraska-based non-profit organizations located within the state. Such applicants must demonstrate that the organization and at least one key staff member has at least five years of experience as a lender, preferably lending to microenterprises in Nebraska.

Eligible applicants must qualify as micro-loan delivery organizations that have Internal Revenue Service (IRS) designation as a 501(c)(3), or submit verification from an attorney that the applicant operates as a 501(c)(4) or 501(c)(6) organization. All applicants must have current Certificates of Good Standing from the Nebraska Secretary of State at the time of application.

Eligible projects include funding for a revolving loan fund to make loans to eligible microenterprises in distressed areas and limited general administration costs.

Priority will be given to applicants that:

- have previous experience and a successful track-record as an organization in providing loans to microenterprises;

- employ at least one key staff person who demonstrates previous experience and a successful track-record in providing loans to microenterprises; and

- demonstrate the micro-lending fund will fill a financing gap that is both needed and that microenterprises are interested in accessing.

Minimum grant amounts per project are estimated at around $200,000 with no more than $20,000 or 5 percent of the total micro-lending grant, whichever is lesser, to be used for general administration costs.

The awardee will provide matching funds of money, in-kind contributions, or both equal to no less than 35 percent of the total micro-lending grant.

To learn more, go online to: http://www.neded.org/files/businessdevelopment/talentinnovation/businessinnovation/2012_Microenterprise_Lending.pdf or, contact Christina Bartels at 800-426-6505, 402-471 3172, or Christina.bartels@nebraska.gov

###

Why We Support LB 850

Tomorrow, the Revenue Committee will be hearing testimony on legislative bill 850, an effort spearheaded by four rural senators concerned about the future of rural Nebraska. You can read about LB850 here. The bill proposes a tax credit of up to $1,500/year for 5 years for those that qualify and move to a rural county with 5% or greater population decline between 2000-2010.

Last night, the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to support LB850. The bill represents a significant step forward in addressing a two-headed monster that is rural workforce shortages exacerbated by population decline. You can read my testimony below; Chamber Board President Heather Sikyta will be joining me as we fight for rural Nebraska.

What do you think? Is this a good step to address population decline? Feel free to leave your comments below. ~ Caleb

—

Before the Revenue, Supporting LB850

Madam Chair and members of the Revenue Committee, my name is Caleb Pollard, Executive Director of Valley County Economic Development and the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce.

As Director of the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce, I represent the business interests of 200 rural businesses IN SUPPORT of LB850. I also represent 350 professional economic developers from the Nebraska Economic Developers Association in support of this bill.

Population decline is the primary economic threat to rural Nebraska. This threat also constitutes a major liability for our metropolitan communities: curiously, much of the growth of Lincoln and Omaha has much to do with rural IN-migration to the metro. Yet surprisingly, we Nebraskans have never taken a substantive policy step forward in addressing this issue directly.

LB 850 presents us that opportunity.

1920 was the peak population year for Valley County. We continue to see precipitous population decline exacerbate historically low unemployment in our area. Local resources alone cannot staunch the flow of graduates to post-secondary opportunities, nor are they enough when we proceed to recruit them home. We need assistance that is bold, new and creative to address a very real economic constraint in rural Nebraska.

While we compete with the world for economic growth and development, the vast majority of economic development work we do is not definable as a “project” with employment or investment impact. A great deal of my time is spent finding workers that are plumbers, electricians, welders, agronomists, nurses, pharmacists, diesel mechanics and biofuel lab technicians. These are good jobs that pay a good wage.

In Valley County, we’re faced with historic workforce shortages. Simply put, we need people. With a 3.4% unemployment rate, we cannot grow our local economy (and by default Nebraska’s economy) unless we have more workers. I also ask that you look carefully at not just counties with 5% loss or more, but ALL rural counties suffering population loss. All of rural Nebraska suffers the same workforce shortages. NEDA asks that you please consider how we can help ALL of rural Nebraska be more competitive in the global economy.

Finally, I want to leave you with this clairvoyant message from KC Belitz, Columbus Nebraska Chamber executive. Published just yesterday in the Daily Yonder, an online rural advocacy publication, KC urges readers to look deeply at the jobs disparity nationwide:

“At the same time, the media report on tent cities going up around the nation as people who can’t find work lose their homes. The national unemployment sits at 8.5%, there are 5.6-million long-term unemployed in the U.S., and 8.1-million people are working part-time because they can’t find full-time employment.

How can this be? Why aren’t they coming to Columbus or some other towns on the Great Plains that are begging for workers?”

I ask you: why are they NOT coming? What barriers exist that are preventing that migration? We saw that same mobility vacate the Great Plains in the 1930’s. Are pre-2008 financial burdens preventing mobility to places where there are jobs? Absolutely! The time is now: bring those workers BACK to Nebraska where good jobs are plentiful.

Yet, we have very few resources to do what has been needed for ten years: recruit workers back to Nebraska for viable jobs. Good jobs. You don’t address workforce shortages with Nebraska Advantage. A rural tax credit proposed in LB850 does that. You can tackle both workforce challenges and population decline by helping make rural Nebraska more competitive.

On behalf of 200 Central Nebraska businesses and 350 Nebraska economic development professionals, please support this bill. Thank you and thank you for your time.

Efficiency Counts Joins MarketPlace Line-up

Our friends over at the Center for Rural Affairs have asked that we keep you all updated on MarketPlace. Coming up in February, many opportunities exist for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Check up what’s on tap below – Caleb

Lyons, NE – The Center for Rural Affairs will partner with Efficiency Counts, University of Nebraska College of Business and Technology, University of Nebraska Center for Rural Innovation and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to host the sixth annual MarketPlace rural entrepreneurship conference, which will focus on building jobs and the rural economy from within. It will be held at the at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center in Kearney, Nebraska on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. Early bird registration has been extended until midnight January 30, so those interested should not hesitate.

“I have greatly benefited from participating in MarketPlace the last 5 years and am really looking forward to MarketPlace Nebraska 2012,” stated Connie Harvey of Hastings, NE. “My business, “Efficiency Counts” has been strengthened and is developing better than I had imagined, much of which is due to the training and connections I have made at MarketPlace.

I like the quote from Aristotle, ‘Cities are a partnership in living well together.’  MarketPlace is a great way for small businesses all over Nebraska to learn and also find other business with which they can partner together, either in sharing work or providing services to each other.  That’s how a community grows.  And in today’s economy, a broader base of community can be developed and enjoyed.”

MarketPlace is an event focused on the role of entrepreneurship in revitalizing rural communities. The conference features strong, hands-on learning opportunities for potential and existing business owners including on and off farm/ranch, store front or home based, community leaders; and youth interested in entrepreneurship. Professional development will be enhanced through a series of teaching tracks – including Social Media, Innovation, Marketing, Business Development, Financial & Round Tables.

MarketPlace will feature 52 booths in the Resource Zone filled with successful small business men and women, service providers, and other conference sponsors. Attendees will be able to meet with these folks throughout the day to ask questions, gather information, and make connections.

Back by popular demand is RZ Bounce, an opportunity for entrepreneurs to get 15 minutes with business and marketing experts.  They will be able to describe their business and explain what their challenges are and the experts will offer suggestions and resources to consider. Space is limited to the first 12 businesses. Registration is separate from the MarketPlace Conference. To register visit: http://files.cfra.org/pdf/rz-bounce-registration.pdf

Two new youth activities are being planned. The BIZ IDEA Summit will be held on Tuesday, February 21 for 10th -12th graders in Kearney at the Ramada Inn from 9:30 am – 2:15 pm. In conjunction with the summit, a Youth Business Showcase Video Competition will be held for middle school through high school-aged led businesses and entrepreneurs to showcase their business ventures. To learn more about the activities or to register visit: http://www.cfra.org/marketplace/idea

“MarketPlace is the place to be if you are an entrepreneur interested in starting or expanding a small business or growing your idea,” commented Shawnna Silvius of the Center for Rural Affairs. “The connections and resources this event offers are invaluable.  And we want to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors we have on board – without them, we would not be able to put on this great event.”

According to Silvius, sponsors of MarketPlace come from a variety of sectors, but their impact on the economic growth of rural Nebraska is something they all have in common.  Sponsors include: Efficiency Counts, University of Nebraska at Kearney College of Business & Technology, Nebraska Department of Economic Development, University of Nebraska Center for Applied Rural Innovation, Nebraska Business Development Center, and many more. For a full list of all of those who are supporting MarketPlace, visit: http://www.cfra.org/marketplace/sponsors-ne12

“The University of Nebraska at Kearney College of Business and Technology (UNK CBT) and its Center for Rural Research and Development (CRRD) are pleased to offer our continued support for Nebraska MarketPlace,” said Shawn Kaskie at UNK. “The partnership between the University and MarketPlace will continue to prove to be a very valuable one as our students are introduced into the workforce. The University’s CRRD is our campus’ Entrepreneurship Center and Nebraska MarketPlace is a great environment to get our students connected with small business service providers and other small business owners; thus building the very important relationships that will be necessary for their success after their time at UNK CBT.”

According to Kaskie, the trainings offered at MarketPlace are integral to successful and sustainable small business development; networking with other small business owners as well as resource providers will provide a foundation for growth and longevity. “In the current economy, an event such as this is particularly needed. More people are starting small businesses but they need to have the right tools that MarketPlace provides in order to ensure their ventures are successful and to help to build our rural economy. It is a program that will always fill a need in Nebraska.”

Businesses and organizations have a chance to tap into many outstanding marketing opportunities by having an exhibit booth or through a sponsorship to MarketPlace. The diverse sponsorship levels offer opportunities for organizations and businesses to choose the level which best fits their marketing budget. Those interested in sponsorship information should contact Shawnna Silvius, shawnnas@cfra.org or 402-873-4027.

“DED has always enjoyed participating in and celebrating strong partnerships with organizations and companies statewide, and the Marketplace Entrepreneurship Conference is no exception,” said Gary Hamer, DED Deputy Director. “We’ve found that these collaborations offer concentrated learning opportunities and information for participants.”

For more on MarketPlace or to register visit: http://www.cfra.org/marketplace/ne-12

“We look forward to an outstanding event and appreciate the participation of all of our MarketPlace sponsors,” added Silvius.

Visit us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaMarketPlace#!/NebraskaMarketPlace

The Center for Rural Affairs is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.

###

Planning to Plan

Strategic planning can be a critical process to those employed in economic development. If executed properly, strategic plans can provide communities with the blueprint to get things done. In 2011, we embarked on another round of planning that helped us produce a few results that we’re happy to see come to fruition later in the year. A few of those projects included the successful development of ShopOrd.com (set to launch in February), a completed new housing development and a re-energized Valley County Community Foundation. We worked with a number of local businesses to make 2011 the best year yet for the sales tax program for economic development. And we saw quite a few changes in downtown Ord.

These efforts are part of parcel of what we do at Valley County Economic Development and the Ord Area Chamber every day. Many of them take a great deal of time and energy to deploy; some happen as if by serendipity.

Nonetheless, as we enter into our next strategic action planning effort on Wednesday, we want to ask you: what do you want to see happen in Valley County? Are you willing to help us get there?

Offer your thoughts in the comments section and we’ll incorporate those with our board surveys on Wednesday. Here’s to another great year in 2012!

~ Caleb

Going International as a Business?

New resources exist for businesses looking to go international with their business. Folks over at the Department of Economic Development have the skinny:

(LINCOLN, NEB.) — The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has received a State Trade and Export Program (STEP) grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help small businesses expand into and increase activity in international markets. As a result, DED is offering several new marketing opportunities, including:

- The International Market Access Grant (IMAG) program, which will reimburse Nebraska companies’ expenses related to attending U.S. or international export-focused trade shows.

- Gold Key Matching Service Program, International Partner Search Program, -International Company Profile Program and Commercial News USA (all offered in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce).

Gold Key is designed to match business owners with one-on-one appointments with pre-screened agents, buyers, distributors, sales representatives, association and government contacts, and other key players.

International Partner Search Program helps generate a report of up to five qualified overseas agents, distributors, manufacturers, representatives, franchises, or strategic partners with which companies might conduct business.

International Company Profile Program enlists the U.S. Commercial Service to generate a customized International Company Profile on potential business partners.

Commercial News USA is the official US Department of Commerce catalog-style magazine designed to help American companies promote products and services to buyers in more than 178 countries.

To apply for the IMAG program, or learn more information, contact Michael Kuzma at 402-309-4286, or email mike.kuzma@nebraska.gov; or Susan Rouch at 402-471-4668, or email susan.rouch@nebraska.gov.

The following website contains detailed application information about the four programs: http://neded.org/business/international-trade-and-investment

###

Business Plan Basics Workshop for Local Entrepreneurs

There are still seats available for the Business Plan Basics Workshop but space is limited so register today.  Valley County Economic Development and the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce is collaborating with Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) to host the workshop that will illustrate the importance of creating an effective business plan.  Topics will include marketing, promotions/advertising, financial management, customer relations, and goal setting. 

This workshop is available to anyone in the area, including current business owners or entrepreneurs who wish to start their own business.  The class will meet every Wednesday for five weeks beginning January 18 until February 15 from 4:00-7:00 pm at the Ord Learning Center.  The registration fee is $79 and includes all course materials.  Scholarships are also available.  To register, contact Kristina Volf at the Valley County Economic Development office at (308) 728-7875 or by email at kvolf@frontier.com.