Starting a Business

Are you an entrepreneur?

Gage County, Nebraska is a hub of entrepreneurial activity. From mom and pop shops to full-scale manufacturing facilities, our business community is teeming with entrepreneurs...like you!

Below, you'll find some of our favorite resources for assistance in starting your new venture. Looking for more information? Stop by sometime - we love small biz talk.

10 steps to start your business

The following information comes straight from the experts at the U.S. Small Business Administration. Visit their site for more details on each step!

  1. Conduct market research
  2. Write your business plan
  3. Fund your business
  4. Pick your business location
  5. Choose a business structure
  6. Choose your business name
  7. Register your business
  8. Get federal and state tax IDs
  9. Apply for licenses and permits
  10. Open a business bank account
  11. BONUS STEP: Open your business!

Resources

Ready to begin? Here are some helpful resources for entrepreneurs:

The University of Nebraska SourceLink Resource Navigator links entrepreneurs and community leaders to solutions and opportunities by curating university resources in one online platform.

The Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) offers no-cost, one-on-one, long-term professional business advising, low-cost professional development, and other specialized resources to Nebraska businesses. 

The Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA) Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) is committed to strengthening rural communities through small, self-employed business development. They offer four essential services: financing (micro loans), business training, technical assistance, and networking.

Nebraska Department of Economic Development's Foundation Resource Directory is a voluntarily compiled list of foundations to serve as a starting point for individuals and communities seeking assistance.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps small businesses through free business counseling, SBA guaranteed business loans, home and business disaster loans, and federal government contracting. Their website also provides a wealth of free resources and templates to help entrepreneurs start their businesses.

As a resource partner of the SBA, SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs through mentoring, workshops and educational resources since 1964.