Tour showcases local businesses for NBDC officials
CHADRON – Four officials affiliated with the Nebraska Business Development Center’s (NBDC) main office in Omaha met with Chadron State College NBDC staff, CSC Business Academy faculty and local business and economic development leaders Tuesday, Nov. 29. The contingent of professionals also toured six NBDC clients in Chadron, Hemingford and Alliance.
The Omaha NBDC group included Dr. Lou Pol, dean of business administration at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Bob Bernier, outgoing NBDC state director, Cathy Lang, incoming NBDC state director, and Jean Waters, NBDC deputy state director.
The NBDC located at CSC helps businesses with developing business plans, applying for loans and other assistance. Staff include Dr. Gary Dusek, head business consultant, Jennifer Wittrock, office assistant, and Erika Royal, graduate assistant.
The tour featured stops White River Feed, Engraver’s Fryday’s 120 Bar and Grill and the Bean Broker in Chadron, Greenhouse in the Snow in Alliance and Table Top Meats in Hemingford.
Cody Brooks, co-owner of White River Feed with his wife Chrystal since 2015, employs three college students on a part-time basis. NBDC consultants worked with Brooks to refine merchandising and leverage resources, according to Wittrock.
“I rent and loan out some equipment because when my customer sees how well it works, I know they’ll buy it. I use everything I sell so I know it works,” Brooks said.
At Engravers, owner Shelli Cope explained her challenges finding reliable suppliers and affordable equipment. She explained how her business has transformed and expanded its base over time and praised NBDC consultant Chuck Beck at the University of Nebraska-Kearney for his help explaining federal government programs.
Sharon Fry at Fryday’s 120 Bar and Grill shared with the group how much work it was to obtain a liquor license last year and how much she has learned through the process of opening a bar and grill and hiring employees. She said the location has been approved to bring in keno and she is planning to make room for it in the bar.
Andi Rising, owner of the Bean Broker since 2008, she always wanted a coffee shop. She provided the background of the historic building on the corner of Second and Chadron Avenue and explained how she addressed heating, cooling, air conditioning and ventilation challenges and what she learned about qualifying for grants. Rising said she is planning to develop a conference room and a study on the second floor of the building which has occupied office space and private living quarters.
Waters also commended the afternoon tour stops atGreenhouse in the Snow in Alliance and Table Top Meats in Hemingford.
Category: Campus News