Government Resources

Organizations

• Catholic Charities Microbusiness Training and Development Program - Provides loans, technical assistance and training for Douglas and Sarpy Counties, with primary emphasis on South Omaha Hispanic businesses
• Community Development Resources - CDR is a 501 non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), as designated by the U.S. Department of Treasury's CDFI Fund that provides loans and technical assistance to start-up and growing businesses. CDR is an approved SBA-micro and SBA-504 lender.
• GROW Nebraska - Specializes in market access for artisan and crafter businesses, providing training and technical assistance, with access to loans.
• Hastings Economic Develoment Corporation - Individuals in Adams County can contact their local resource for assistance with loans, trainng and technical assistance.
• Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation - Provides loans, technical assistance and training for Nebraska's Native American businesses, primarily on reservations in Thurton and Knox Counties.
• Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation - MLCDC offers loans, technical assistance and training for businesses in Douglas County, with primary emphasis on Latino businesses.
• NeighborWorks Omaha (New Community Development Corporation) - Offers loans, technical assistance and training for businesses located in Douglas and Sarpy Counties
• Northeast Economic Development, Inc. - NED, located in Norfolk, provides loans and technical assistance to Northeast Nebraska businesses.
• Rural Enterprise Assistance Project - REAP is a program of the Center for Rural Affairs focusing on small business development. REAP consists of four elements including: networking, business management training, credit (micro-loans) and technical assistance. REAP is an approved SBA-micro lender with an Online Lending System.
• Small Business Association of the Midlands - SBAM is a membership organization that assists micro & small businesses in developing, growing and operating more efficiently.
• West Central Nebraska Development District - Provides SBA and USDA approved loans to businesses located in the West Central Nebraska area.

Government Resources

• Small Business Administration - Good business tools, financial resource info., simple business programs. Sample SBA business plans
• SBA's Online Women's Business Resource Center - Resources specifically geared toward women issues, but that doesn't say men can't visit their website for good information also!

Organizations

• American Express Small Business Open Forum Small Business Exchange: A Community for Entrepreneurs -  This site was developed by American Express. Has business resources and information about merchant accounts and on-line services for your merchant account.  
• Business Owner's Toolkit - The SOHO Guidebook, business and human resource tools, forms, advise column and much more.
• Edward Lowe Foundation Entrepreneur's Resource Center -  Hundreds of articles and briefs - solutions gleanded from CEOs, presidnets and busines owners like you.
• EntrepreneurMag.com - Very good resources for small businesses, includes downloadable business forms. 
• Kauffman Foundation - Entrepreneurship - One of the best resources available for small business. Many links, case studies, resources, etc. 
• More Business  - Business "how to's",  templates, informative articles, great site!
• Planet Eureka! - An international Innovation Network for product/service concepts, Ideas for both companies and innovators looking to partner or buy/sell innovations.

Government Resources

• Environmental Protection Agency, Ag Center - The "first stop" for information about environmental requirements that affect the agricultural community
• USDA National Agriculture Library - Agricultural research information compiled by the US Department of Agriculture.
• USDA Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) - Latest resports on local foods, organics, sustainable agricultural systems.
• USDA, Economic Research Service-Organic Agriculture - USDA website for specific information on organic production and markets.
• USDA Small Farm Program - Resources, Reports for the family and small farm operation.
• USDA Agriculture Marketing Service - Programs that facilitate the efficient, fair marketing of U.S. agricultural products, including food, fiber, and specialty crops.

University Resources

• Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC), a national information resource for value-added agriculture.
• Commercial Vegetable Production Guides, Oregon State University
• Missouri Alternatives Center, resources for a large variety of alternative ag ideas
• National Agriforestry Center, University of Nebraska
• National Farm Transition Network for individuals who want to get into or retire from farming.
• University of California Small Farm Center
• University of Florida Cooperative Extension Publications

Organizations

• Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) - Offers in-depth publications on production practices, alternative crop and livestock enterprises, innovative marketing, organic certification, and highlights of local, regional, USDA and other federal sustainable agriculture activities.
• National Agricultural Law Center - Comprehensive library of electronic sources on agricultural and food law, including law cases, farm bill text.
• Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education - Information on sustainable agricultural systems and crop profitabilty.
• Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers - Provides free training to producers of agricultural commodities and to fishermen who have been adversely affected by import competition.