Governor Heineman to attend Mitchell After School Clubs for Kids Expo (EntrepreneurShip Investigation Clubs!)
From the Gering Citizen, May 9, 2013
SCOTTSBLUFF — In February, Western Nebraska Community College launched two EntrepreneurShip Investigation (ESI) after school clubs for kids. Over the past four months, 22 fourth, fifth, and sixth graders have learned valuable lessons about what it takes to be an entrepreneur. One club meets in the John N. Harms Advanced Technology Center in Scottsbluff and the other club is held at the Mitchell Elementary School.
For the full story, click here.
Jim Krieger Receives Nebraska Entrepreneurship Outstanding Service Award
Photo: Monica Braun - Director, Rural Enterprise Assistance Project Women's Business Center (left); Jim Krieger, Gallup CFO (center); Rose Jaspersen, Executive Director of the Nebraska Enterprise Fund Director (right).
Jim Krieger, founder of the Krieger Family Foundation and Chief Financial Officer for the Gallup Organization, was honored with the 2013 Nebraska Entrepreneurship Outstanding Service Award at the 7th Annual MarketPlace Nebraska Conference. The award is co-sponsored by the Nebraska Enterprise Fund and the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Task Force.
Individuals or organizations that have demonstrated sustained and outstanding state and/or national leadership and advocacy for entrepreneurship education and/or business development services are eligible to receive the award. Nominees must have made contributions that are noteworthy in advancing the mission to educate, engage, and empower entrepreneurs of all ages throughout Nebraska.
Krieger believes that "Nebraska needs to create a business climate that supports individual entrepreneurs and gives them the tools to succeed. There's no silver bullet about what you can and can't do. You have to get back to what each individual does and what we can do to support that effort."
The nomination for Mr. Krieger highlighted a few of the multiple initiatives and programs that owe their existence in whole or in part to Jim Krieger and the Krieger Family Foundation including:
- "Entrepreneurship in Nebraska” the groundbreaking book that started significant dialogue and support for entrepreneurship education & advocacy efforts in Nebraska
- Lincoln Public Schools Entrepreneurship Focus Program
- UNL 4-H Extension Entrepreneurship Curriculum & Programs, including EntrepreneurShip Investigation (ESI), LEAP into Careers, Community Connections
- Annual support provided for the Nebraska Summit on Entrepreneurship
The Nebraska Enterprise Fund (www.nebbiz.org/) is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), certified by the U.S. Department of Treasury, CDFI Fund. NEF provides direct loans to start-up and existing micro/small businesses across Nebraska. NEF works collaboratively with lending organizations and banks to assist in filling financial gaps for businesses.
The Nebraska Entrepreneurship Task Force-NETForce (www.nebraskaentrepreneurship.com/net-force/) is an actively engaged group of collaborating partners focused on the high income, high skill, and high demand entrepreneurial career opportunities available to Nebraska’s youth and adults. Collaborating partners include the Nebraska Community College System, Nebraska Department of Education, nonprofit service providers and economic development organizations, private colleges and universities, and the University of Nebraska system.
An article with video comments by Mr. Krieger posted on the Nebraskaentrepreneur.com website on January 28, 2011 can be found at www.nebraskaentrepreneurship.com/news/gallup-cfo-support-for-individual-entrepreneurs-crucial-to-nebraska%e2%80%99s-economic-health/.
Nebraska Loves Our Public Schools
The newest video on the Nebraska Loves Our Public Schools is a truly inspiring story of how Cody-Kilgore harnessed the entrepreneurial spirit of community members, educators, and students to address a community need.
Cody-Kilgore: Cowboy GRIT Inspires a Community
“A lot of adults underestimate our youth today. I’m beyond being surprised. With our youth today, I expect the conquering of the impossible because I've seen it. And if you empower those youth, they will rise to the occasion.” – John Johnson, retired teacher and chairman of the Cody Village Board
At first blush, it seems like your average small ranching town. Just like many you’d see while driving down Hwy 20 though the Nebraska Sandhills. But Cody is special. With a population of just over 150 residents, its school draws kids from all over North Central Nebraska. In fact, even though Cody is in one of the most sparsely populated areas of the state, its unified school district covers one of the largest geographic areas: 553 square miles, to be exact. That includes two time zones and three area codes.
So how does this small town sustain such a powerful school? Because its residents think big. This big thinking led to a unique project to address a major community need in a way that encourages real-life learning, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit in its students.
To watch the video and to read more about Cody-Kilgore’s journey, go to: http://nelovesps.org/watchnow?TN=PROJECT-20120910011012.
Want to learn more about Nebraska Loves Our Public Schools and the mission of the Sherwood Foundation to instill pride in Nebraska public schools? Click here.
Have a great story idea for a future video highlighting great things happening in our Nebraska public schools? Email denise@nelovesps.org, find them on Twitter @NElovesPS, or visit their Facebook page at Facebook/NElovesPS.
Nebraska Entrepreneurship Education
The Nebraska Department of Education provides statewide:
- Curriculum support
- Technical assistance
- Professional development
Entrepreneurship education outreach and services provided through Nebraska Career Education include:
- Nebraska Entrepreneurship Education website
- Nebraska Entrepreneurship Education listserv
- Nebraska Career Education Conference sessions
- Publicity for local, state, and national activities
- Support and leadership for Nebraska's National Entrepreneurship Week activities
NET Force
The Nebraska Department of Education is an active member of the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Task Force (NET Force). The mission of NET Force is to identify and leverage educational resources that will educate, engage, and empower current and potential entrepreneurs.
Information about NET Force curriculum/programs, member organizations and events is available at www.nebraskaentrepreneurship.com/net-force
Nebraska Entrepreneur
nebraskaentrepreneurship.com seeks to support an entrepreneurial environment in Nebraska and is a rich source of:
- Entrepreneurial resources
- Entrepreneurial news and event information
- Video archives