Business Assistance

Financing

NNDC operates a revolving loan fund with loans available to for-profit businesses looking for capital to purchase, start up or expand an existing business. NNDC works with area banks to provide 'gap' financing.
Criteria:

  • Must complete application
  • Can fund up to 50% of total cost of project
  • Must have bank participation, or bank refusal to participate
  • Must be for-profit business
  • Must create or retain jobs (funds limited to $20,000 or $10,000 per FTE)
  • Must be located in Dawes or contiguous county
  • Can be for real estate, inventory, equipment, working capital

We assist in making the financial package less of a risk and more appealing to the banks to finance. A complete copy of the loan guidelines and loan application can be found here. NNDC can assist in preparing a business plan, qualifying a business for state incentives, job training grants, City of Chadron LB840 loan funding and other potential funding sources. The State of Nebraska has incentives for businesses, based on investment, job creation and specific types of business. These are generally in the form of tax credits, and are based on set criteria.

The Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) is another resource that assists in preparing to approach financial institutions about start-up funding. The service is free and they can be reach at 308-432-6282. The Panhandle Area Development District (PADD) has a revolving loan fund, which is eligible for use in Dawes County. The Rural Enterprise Assistance Project's (REAP) loan program is another tool to consider. REAP's Loan Programs focus on providing capital for rural Nebraska-based start-up and existing businesses. REAP's loan products are coupled with business technical assistance and counseling to clients to help them prosper in their business. Tax increment financing (TIF) in Nebraska is primarily designed to finance the public infrastructure costs associated with a private development project. Essentially, the property tax increases resulting from a development are targeted to repay the public investment required by a project. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers numerous loan programs to assist small businesses. SBA is primarily a guarantor of loans made by private and other institutions.

Workforce

Dawes County has one of the most highly education workforces in NE, with 28.4% having Bachelor’s Degrees or higher. Less than 8% of the local labor force is unionized. Dawes County population is 9,182, with 20,840 within a 30 mile radius.

According to the Chadron 2017 Labor Study Labor Availability Study, Chadron has a labor market of 47,950 individuals (in Dawes County and contiguous NE counties). Nebraska Department of Labor research indicates the number of workers willing to leave Dawes County for employment (over 1100) shows a skilled workforce that may be encouraged to stay in Chadron for the right job and benefit package. There is also evidence that Chadron could recruit employees from nearby SD communities of Hot Springs, Pine Ridge and Martin. The population base in this area is an additional 30,000 residents. The average wage in Dawes County is lower than the state average, making this area a bargain for business start-ups.

Area’s largest employers: Chadron State College 400, Chadron Community Hospital 204, Walmart 200, Chadron Public Schools 210, US Forest Service (including Pine Ridge Job Corps) 140.

Businesses for Sale

Often NNDC is aware of businesses owners wishing to sell their business, whether to retire or just start a different career path. Sometimes the opportunities include real estate, sometimes it is the intangibles such as a loyal customer base & inventory of product. The opportunities listed below are strictly for use by Dawes County businesses to market their 'going' business concerns to potential buyers. It is not meant to replace realtor's efforts to sell properties.

Circle J Glass and more – varied businesses within the corporate structure from siding and gutters to trailer sales. Contact Jim Kominek at 308-432-3044