The Center for Rural Affairs offered The MarketPlace Conference, an inspiring event, which took place across Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, and Colorado! This event was designed for entrepreneurs and service providers dedicated to building a thriving economic development base.

“Hands On” Business Planning Curriculum was co-authored, offering interactive exercises that give entrepreneurs practical experience in developing their business plans. It complements, rather than replaces, traditional business planning courses by helping students understand expectations through guided narratives and applied assignments, clarifying each step of the planning process.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Nebraska EDGE (Enhancing, Developing, and Growing Entrepreneurs) program offered comprehensive business planning classes across the state of Nebraska. The initiative focused on training and supporting potential and existing business owners, increasing employment opportunities, and economic development in the State of Nebraska. The owner of Performance Planners served as the state’s regional coordinator, supporting program managers, instructors, coalition members, and participants in the entrepreneurial trainings. 

A community-driven grocery store was launched in 2000 by junior and senior high school students on a volunteer basis. The goal was to provide essential groceries to the small town of 129 residents, 32 miles from the nearest store, and to teach youth how to start and run a business. From humble beginnings in a house, the Wolf Den Market was featured in the Wall Street Journal and People Magazine. in 2020 the new grocery store was built.