Free Resources (NE)

State & Local Government (NE)

https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/programs/business/intern-nebraska/

Is your business eligible for an Intern Grant? Internship grants available for businesses by providing financial assistance to create new internships.  No cost. 

https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/programs/incentives/

List of Incentive Programs including Grant programs to assist in starting, retaining and expanding businesses.  Some may have investment requirements.  Tax credits for qualified investments in Economic Redevelopment Areas. 

https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/business/start-your-business/

Steps to start your own business in Nebraska.  No cost. 

https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/business/business-development/#international

A special team of consultants with the private sector can help consult with foreign companies during initial planning stage. 

https://revenue.nebraska.gov/about/frequently-asked-questions/business-income-tax-faqs

Business Income Tax FAQs.

https://revenue.nebraska.gov/businesses/nebraska-income-tax-withholding/online-filing

Nebraska Income Tax Withholding Online Filing. Page includes Registering a Business, Sales Tax Rate Finder, Sales and Use Tax and File/Pay Your Return. Some services may require a fee. 

https://sos.nebraska.gov/business-services/new-business-information

New business information for the State including Organizational Structure, Corporate Reporting, Registered Agent, Filing Tips, etc. 

https://finance.cityofomaha.org/

Finance Dept in the City responsible for purchasing. Contact name and phone number. No cost. 

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/microloans

City of Omaha Planning dept connected to federal SBA to provide loans less than $50k. No cost

https://humanrights.cityofomaha.org/small-and-emerging-small-business-seb

Program to assist small business growth particularly in poverty-stricken areas. No cost

https://hws-ne.org/employers/

Upskill and grow your company. WORK WITH US WEDNESDAYS are every 2nd Wed of the month where you can learn about filling positions and increasing the education levels of your employees.  Subscribe to the HWS Business Newsletter to find out about events, programs and services. Learn more about tax credits and other incentive programs.  Complete the Business Registration and Service Referral form available on this site for more information.  No cost. 

https://hws-ne.org/employers/smallbusiness/

Heartland Workforce Solutions for entrepreneurs and small business; connecting business with job seekers. Includes Better Business Workshops at no cost.   

https://hws-ne.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HWS-Services-Flyer-Sept-2022.pdf

Flyer on Center Services through Heartland Workforce Solutions (HWS). Services include access to on-site partners, Veterans, NE Dept of Labor, Career services for Adult and Youth, labor market information.  No cost.   Workforce Center link Home - Heartland Workforce Solutions (hws-ne.org)

http://www.vr.nebraska.gov/business/wotc.html

Work Opportunity Tax Credit is a federal income tax credit for private sector employers.  An employer may be eligible when they hire from certain target groups of job seekers who face employment barriers.  No cost. 

https://hws-ne.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WEX-Employer-English.pdf

Grow your business with qualified young adults. Wages and related costs are paid for. No cost.

https://www.dol.nebraska.gov/ReemploymentServices/EmployerResources/RegisteredApprenticeship

Registered apprenticeship system combines On the Job training with technical classroom instruction in subjects related to apprentice’s chosen occupation. Programs are offered by both the public and private sector.  Collaboration with business and industries develop Registered Apprenticeship Programs. 

https://neworks.nebraska.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx

*NEworks. State job search engine for job seekers and employers to find candidates. No cost. 

Small Business (NE)

https://www.nechamber.com/loan-and-grant-assistance.html

​Small businesses seeking financial relief resources or emergency working capital to keep employees and/or support my operations can leverage a variety of programs offered by the federal government.  Fee for membership.  Five levels of membership to choose from. 

https://www.nechamber.com/uploads/1/3/1/6/131641147/2022_results_brochure.pdf

Brochure, RESULTS FOR BUSINESS, annual Chamber Report 2022 noting Workforce Action Plan for funding internships up to $5k per internship per company, funding workforce training, tax cuts for individuals and corporate and reducing costs of regulation/doing business in NE and more.  No cost. 

https://www.omahachamber.org/economic-development/ 

For businesses ready to start, expand or relocate.  Get assistance to increase business, investment and employment. Learn about Opportunity Zones that offer preferential tax treatment for investment in designated economically distressed communities. Fee for general membership.  Supports NE and IA.

https://www.unomaha.edu/nebraska-business-development-center/index.php

Learn about Government contracting and steps towards building proposals. No Cost. 

https://www.unomaha.edu/nebraska-business-development-center/index.php

Small Business Development Center is a resource for small business creation and expansion in NE. Brochure highlighting the comprehensive support at each stage of development can be found here. No cost. 

https://www.unomaha.edu/nebraska-business-development-center/business-start-and-growth/forecasting-and-loan-packaging.php

NE Business Development Center will provide assistance with detailed financial forecasting and loan packaging.  This will include investor pitches and help with government grant applications. 

https://midlandsafricanchamber.com/

Programs and services for the African-American communities from connecting with business leaders, foster economic growth, growing your business and more.  Fee for membership. Supports NE and the Midwest regions. 

https://empoweromaha.com/#

A variety of initiatives including increasing ownership of African-American businesses and empowering innovators and producers in the communities.  The North Omaha Entrepreneurship Collaborative is one partnership created to increase the number of businesses city-wide.  No cost. 

https://nebbiz.org/nef-focus

86% of Nebraska’s business are small or micro-businesses. Nebraska Enterprise Fund increases equitable capital to economically underserved small businesses.  They also assist in building credit as an asset.  NEF may require personal guarantees from all owners with at least 10% investment or stake in the business. 

https://www.nebraskablackwomenunited.org/about-nbwu

This organization is a connector for community and business for mentorship and sponsorship into opportunities and in life. Connects women across the State. Membership may be requested. 

ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRY RESOURCES 

https://www.dol.nebraska.gov/ReemploymentServices/Training/WIOA/NWDB

Nebraska Workforce Development Board convenes State, regional and local workforce system partners to enhance capacity and performance of the workforce development system. Promoting economic growth, engaging business, education and economic development and others to address workforce needs. 

https://www.dol.nebraska.gov/ReemploymentServices/EmployerResources/FederalFidelityBondProgram

Federal Fidelity Bond Program. Hiring incentive tool covering individuals whose backgrounds that could pose barriers to employment. The initiative covers $5000 worth of fidelity bond coverage for the first 6 months of employment or promotion. 

Grants/Funding (NE)

https://nebraska.grantwatch.com/cat/13/small-business-grants.html

One-stop source for reputable, reliable and up-to-date grant search information. Subscription based web-site; free and paid memberships available. 

https://www.ccomaha.org/program-and-services/microbusiness-and-asset-development-program

Catholic Charities of Omaha provide program and services for small business in way of micro business training, financial education, and business financing with microloans up to $5k to those successfully completing training. 

https://omahafoundation.org/nonprofits/grant-opportunities/

Grant opportunities to strengthen and support the work of local non-profits. No cost for application. 

https://www.instrumentl.com/browse-grants/nebraska

NE grants for non-profits search engine. 14-day free trial to use. 

https://www.nechamber.com/arpa-resources.html

Workforce Development Grants available for employers, non-profits, educational institutions and other organizations.  No cost.

https://omahafoundation.org/nonprofits/fund-for-omaha/

Tackling the funding gaps and expand opportunities for Black, Indigenous and people of color by increasing connections within communities, equitable access, advocacy support and building grassroot capacity of nonprofit organizations. No cost

https://omahafoundation.org/community/community-resilience-fund/

The Community Resilience Fund operates on an as needed basis to nonprofits to provide timely, flexible grantmaking when unexpected and urgent needs arise in the community.  No cost.