Click on one of the several questions below to learn more:
- Who are the NebraskaEDGE partners?
- How can a community become involved?
- What are the key ingredients to hosting a NebraskaEDGE Course?
- What is the cost to students to participate in a training program?
- How much does it cost to host a Nebraska Edge training program?
- What if my region/community wants to offer a NebraskaEDGE training program without applying for seed funding?
- How can I get more information?
The NebraskaEDGE program is supported by grants from various economic development organizations such as the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Nebraska Microenterprise Partnership Fund and the USDA Rural Development.
The NebraskaEDGE works in partnership with the NxLeveL Training Network, located in Sandy, Utah, to provide our training courses. All adult courses are taught by local instructors, usually small business owners themselves, and organized through local community coalitions. Youth courses are taught by high school teachers and provided directly in the classroom or offered as an after school activity. For more information on the Youth program, go to the Youth pages.
Who are the NebraskaEDGE partners?
The NebraskaEDGE represents Business, Government, and Education working together to create jobs for Nebraska communities. Although the University of Nebraska Center for Applied Rural Innovation serves as the coordinator for the program, the key to the NebraskaEDGE's success is a statewide network of public/private partners working together in their local communities.
How can a community become involved?
The NebraskaEDGE State Coalition requests all interested communities and regions to submit a letter of intent to notify us of your interest to host a training course. You will then be contact by Marilyn Schlake or Tonia Franklin to start working toward organization of the training course.
What are the key ingredients to hosting a NebraskaEDGE Course?
A strong regional/local coalition, a coordinator and instructor who have been certified by participating in NebraskaEDGE Certification Sessions, and a minimum of 10 students.
Regional/Local Coalition - The mission of the coalition is to foster and promote entrepreneurship in the region or community. The local coalition should include all or some of the following organizations: small business organizations and/or clubs, financial institution(s), accounting firm(s), legal firm(s), media, educational institutions, government agencies responsible for economic or business development and other local businesses and organizations interested in supporting small business development.
Program Manager - One of the coalition members should act as the lead agency to serve as the program manger. A local manager should be identified to coordinate the coalition's efforts and communicate with the State Office. Local managers receive annual training on program evaluation and reporting requirements at annual NebraskaEDGE Certification Sessions.
Instructor - A strong instructor is vital to making the training program a meaningful experience for participants. One key criterion in selecting instructors is experience in owning and operating a small business. Instructors are required to complete an annual certification training session. Coalitions are encouraged to identify potential instructors from their community or may choose from the statewide pool of qualified instructors.
Participants - The NebraskaEDGE small business training program is available to individuals who currently own or plan to start a business. The program will assist entrepreneurs in developing a plan to start or grow their businesses. Course work will include instruction and hands-on training in planning, marketing, personnel, finance and cash flow.
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What is the cost to students to participate in a training program?
A minimum fee has been set by the State Coalition of $350 per student for all training courses. After all state and local expenses are paid, any extra monies generated through sponsorships and participation fees remain within the local coalition fund. This provides additional support for local coalition efforts, sustainability and opportunities for enhanced training needs.
How much does it cost to host a Nebraska Edge training program?
Costs will vary considerably, depending on the community resources for in-kind support. On a cash basis, approximately $10,050 is needed to offer a NebraskaEDGE training program, including costs of books, local personnel, and local and state administration.
Each coalition is expected to raise funds to meet their financial needs beyond the EDGE seed funding. The amount will be determined by the number of course participants, tuition revenue and in-kind services donated by sponsors or other organizations.
What if my region/community wants to offer a NebraskaEDGE training program without applying for seed funding?
Regions or communities not interested in applying for seed funding are also welcome to host a NebraskaEDGE course. The ingredients for a successful course remain the same - a strong coalition, coordinator and instructor who have been certified by attending the NebraskaEDGE Certification Sessions, and students.
How can I get more information?
For more information contact:
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, Associate Director NebraskaEDGE Program Center for Applied Rural Innovation University of Nebraska–Lincoln 103D Miller Hall Lincoln, NE 68583-0711 Telephone: 402.472.4138/800.328.2851 Fax: 402.472.0688 |
, Western Regional Coordinator NebraskaEDGE Program Center for Applied Rural Innovation University of Nebraska–Lincoln Wallace, NE Telephone: 402.805.7535/800.328.2851 Fax: 402.472.0688 |
