• Map & Driving Directions
• Annual Events
• Area Attractions
• Dining
• Lodging
• Shopping
• Fairbury Geneaology
• Tourism Information

• Fairbury Journal News
• KGMT/KUTT

• Fairbury Public Schools
• Southeast Community
  College

• Fairbury Clinic, P.C.
• Jefferson Community
  Health Center

• City of Fairbury
• Jefferson County Online

• Articles & Information
• Local Incentive Programs
• State Programs
• Available Properties
• Fairbury Demographics

• Business Listings
• Chamber of Commerce

SIGN UP FOR
Special offers!

Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP)
Fostering small business growth in rural areas

Small business owners must compete and succeed in a rapidly changing environment. 

The Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP), a program of the Center for Rural Affairs, is a small business development program that can help!  REAP consists of four elements including: networking, business management training, credit (micro-loans) and technical assistance. 

Technical Assistance

1. REAP staff are available for one-on-one technical assistance with business owners or managers.  Businesses may be existing or start-up businesses of all types.
2. Business planning assistance and trouble shooting consultations.
3. Cash flow and budget assistance.
4. Loan packaging assistance.

Micro Loan Fund Access

1. Direct Lending - Participants are eligible for loans up to $35,000.
2. REAP Online Lending System – Applications for REAP Rapid Loans up to $5,000 and loans up to $10,000 can be completed online or the online application can be used for the pre-application for business loans from $10,001 - $35,000.  http://www.cfra.org/reap/rapidloan_entry.htm
3. Quick & Direct GROW Loans – GROW Nebraska members are eligible for loans up to $5,000. 
4. Peer Group Loans of $100 - $10,000 are available to members involved in associations that maintain a local loan loss reserve.
5. All members may receive loan packaging assistance as needed.

Networking - Association or Roundtable Group

1. A partnership is established between REAP and the local community to form either a REAP Association or Roundtable. Group members meet monthly for networking, discussion topics and education.  An active base of members and key contact person is critical to the success of maintaining an association or networking group in a community.
2. Access to benefits and services, including REAP Business Update, online member directory, and many other resources.

Business Training

1. Associations and Roundtables have on-going training at their monthly meetings.
2. Associations or roundtable groups may host a REAP Business Plan Basics Training or other special small business trainings based on local interest.
3. Regional workshops and Women’s Business Center training activities are available periodically.

REAP is funded by Community Development Block Grant assistance through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development as well as funding from the Nebraska Microenterprise Development Act, United States Department of Agriculture and the Small Business Administration Microloan and Women’s Business Center programs among others.

Contact:  Jeff Reynolds, REAP Program Director
402.656.3091 or jeffr@alltel.net
http://www2.cfra.org/reap/