Greener Byways of Nebraska
This group looks interesting. They’re promoting environmental business awareness as part of the Nebraska Scenic Byways program.
They make some good points about the value green initiatives bring to the table in building better business models. It also makes sense because the people driving the back-roads are seeking natural wonder and species diversity. To get away, as they say.
I’d like to see these guys in action and some projects they’ve been working on. You can download a few goodies here that help your business toward a greener path. There is definitely a market niche for these folks and I haven’t seen too many businesses venture into this arena yet. I bet someone will sooner than later!
Mountain lions in Nebraska
Michael Forsberg shares a new story in NebraskaLand magazine about the mountain lion’s return to Nebraska. It’s a great read and full of fantastic photos of the Pine Ridge area in Northwest Nebraska. Check it out here.
Not gonna lie, but the thought of looking behind my back while out hunting is…exhilarating. I expect to hear from ranchers in 3…2…1… 
Worker training opportunities
Interested in sharpening your employees interpersonal skills? How about your own?
Central Community College-Columbus obtained a Worker Training Grant enabling the Ord Learning Center to fund local employee training to interested individuals or employers. Scheduled later this winter and spring are in-service training classes offered at no cost to area patrons and business employers and employees. These training sessions individually focus on diversity awareness, and sales and customer service. For more registration information, stop by the Learning Center and talk to Lu Lansman, OLC Manager, or contact her at 728-7875 or llansman@frontier.com.
Looking for a job? We have them.
We’ve updated our area job opportunities – check them out here. Listed are:
- Job Openings at Valley County Health System
- Service Technician – Chem Dry Carpet Cleaning of the Sandhills
- Office Assistant – Chem Dry Carpet Cleaning of the Sandhills
- Cook/Bartender/Cocktail Waitress – Ord Vets Club
- Diesel and Automotive Mechanic – Trotter Incorporated (Arcadia, NE)
- Full and/or Part-time Advertising Sales Rep at KNLV Radio
- Diesel Technician – Ord Equipment
- AFLAC Associate
- Instructor – Mid Nebraska Individual Services
- Library Director – Ord Township Library
- Sheet Metal Installer – Wadas, Inc.
- Clerk – Brown’s His/Her Side
LB 1109 and more Legislative Updates
This week I’ve spent much of my time at the Nebraska State Capitol advocating for Legislation that, if passed, would carry strong benefit for our communities.
The most exciting effort I’ve been a part of was testifying in support for LB1109, the Nebraska Innovation and High Wage Employment Act, introduced by Senator Conrad. LB 1109 proposes creating a task force to investigate entrepreneurship capacity in Nebraska, AND to also look at best practices in designing a more e-ship friendly state. I was part of a group of great, insightful young people who helped advocate for the effort. I want to take the chance to thank Senator Conrad, Dan Hoffman of Invest Nebraska, and Jeff and Dusty at Silicon Prairie News for the opportunity to testify and to network and share ideas on entrepreneurship.
What’s even more cool is the coverage SPN has over on their blog here. Plus, yours truly will be featured in an interview soon, talking about entrepreneurship and its importance in Valley County.
A couple other updates to keep in mind: first, I can’t confirm this, but I’ve been told the County Consolidation Act, LB 826, was killed in committee Thursday. We’ll have more next week on that development.
Second, and most importantly, is the scuttlebutt about Fort Hartsuff. It sounds like Nebraska Game and Parks is likely to dump the fort into local control. Ever the optimist, I believe this may end up being a net gain IF the combined Loup Valley Communities rally and support the Fort. You want a Fort Hartsuff to survive? You better start paying attention (and being heard) because the operating expenses aren’t cheap. I’ll be on the air today @ 1:30 for KNLV’s Party Line Part II to discuss. The first step in creating a receivorship will depend on the willingness of Nebraska Game and Parks to sit down with local leadership, and the Friends of Fort Hartsuff, and putting it all on the table. We’ll start to see how that unfolds over the next couple of weeks.
If you have interest in other bills that I’ve been a part of advocating for and educating on this week, check out the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Bill Tracker. You can download it from their home page, on the lower right side here.
Later on today we’ll have an update on jobs in the Loup Valley, and also hope to release our monthly update. Talk to you all soon!
UPDATE: LB525, which is a carryover bill from 2009, apparently has legs. Recall, I testified on this bill last year (read more here) in an effort to show support on bill that would have tremendously good tidings for rural communities. LB525 allows, by the will of the voters, communities to utilize 5/10ths, or one-half, of sales tax funds for economic development. Let’s hope this thing passes.
WOM
Word of Mouth marketing that is. While I am in Lincoln this week, working on a variety of policy and legislative objectives for our communities, being in Lincoln also reminds me to visit a few of my favorite local businesses and also to catch-up with the people behind them. One place you’ve heard me mention a few times is bread & cup, a fantastic little spot in the Haymarket. If you haven’t been there, please check them out and tell Kevin I sent you.
OK, back to my point about Word of Mouth marketing. While WOM is simple, its many times hard to figure out. In an era of information overload and multifaceted communication channels, many business have a hard time figuring out what mechanism is best at telling their story and selling their idea (or product or whatever). The point is, it’s harder than ever to communicate to the masses…or at least it seems to be. Kevin and his crew at bread & cup can be a model of how a successful business with a unique approach to marketing is getting ahead. It has helped them grow and establish the business as both high quality and decidedly unique. How? Give it a look here. I’ll leave you with one juicy quote:
In our technologically fueled Information Age, we suffer from a glut of data that is absolutely useless. As a business man, I want my marketing to be concise, useful and to the point. I don’t want to waste your time, because I don’t want to waste mine, either.
Amen brother! We’ll have more to come soon. Thanks for your patience while I’m out of the office this week.
Home improvement workshop scheduled
Attention Homeowners: tired of letting your energy prices leak through your doors and windows? Does your home need TLC through repairs and improvements? Then the upcoming Ord Home Rehabilitation Workshop is just for you.
The Ord Home Rehabilitation Workshop has been scheduled for Thursday, February 11th – 7 pm at the Ord Chamber of Commerce, 1514 K Street.
Representatives from Central Nebraska Housing Developers will be present to share information on how Ord residents can take advantage of this valuable program and will assist residents in filling out the application. Ord has funds left for 3-4 homes, so don’t delay in applying for rehabilitation funds. See you on the 11th at 7 pm.
Congrats, J&S Diesel
Friday, I had the opportunity to celebrate the Grand Opening of J&S Diesel’s new building. As many of you know, Joel and Stacy Streff rebuilt their business after a fire destroyed their old building and all of their equipment. I find the resilience Joel, Stacy, their crew, family and friends showed through this whole process just amazing. You can see the before and after photos below – congrats!
Caleb
Lu Lansman