The mission of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development is to promote strong and sustained business growth by fostering creative entrepreneurial initiatives in rural Nebraska and to establish a competitive economic edge through applied academic research and community outreach. We offer a wide expanse of business services. Contact our center for more information.
Through outreach, education and research, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development will successfully impact small business development and growth in rural Nebraska in regard to talent retention, effective business planning and economically inviting opportunities. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development strives to be an organization considered a viable resource for the area with positive connections between the community and academy.
The Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development offers a variety of events including Big Idea Kearney, a business idea contest for bet36365体育 students, and the community. They offer a three-day startup weekend event for students and the community. As part of the College of Business and Technology, the CERD carries out their mission by collaborating with the management department to support the classes offered in the entrepreneurship minor. The team also works with faculty in CBT to execute various research projects and to support the annual Tri-City Area Economic Forum each fall. In 2018, the CERD piloted the first Entrepreneurial Living-Learning Community. The team offers youth entrepreneurship program camps in the summer and supports the Enactus team in offering a high school program in the fall; New Venture Adventure. In the fall of 2017, the CERD initiated the first ever Central Nebraska Startup Week and either hosted, partnered, sponsored or promoted over 20 different entrepreneurial events throughout the central Nebraska.
The Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development has an advisory council made up of business partners, economic developers and community stakeholders. This collective of advisors meets with the CERD team on a regular basis to stay up to date on events, programs and initiatives from the center as well as to share community trends, demands and opportunities.
Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce
Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers
Nebraska Economic Development Association
Nebraska Development Network-Central Region
Nebraska Business Development Center
Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development
West Center - #E127
bet36365体育 Campus, 1917 West 24th St.
Kearney, NE 68849
(308) 865-8199
