Small businesses represent a high percentage of all employers and are critically important to the ongoing growth of our community and country. In 1990, the CCC Foundation received some specific donations, micro loan funds and grants to establish the Small Business Institute to encourage the formation of new, small businesses and to assist existing small businesses with growth opportunities. In 2020, the Small Business Institute (SBI) was rebranded to the Entrepreneurship Center.
The Entrepreneurship Center is an integral part of the CCC Foundation and CCC, and partners with several local, state and federal development groups and organizations to provide services.
CCC’s Entrepreneurship Center offers a variety of services for individuals and companies seeking technical or financial assistance to start or grow their businesses. The Entrepreneurship Center offers coaching for small businesses and startups, including business planning, financial packaging, and more. Coaching services are free of charge.
Workshops, seminars and other events are offered to educate and promote business ownership to community members and students. The rewards of being your own boss are great, but so are the challenges. If you want to own your own business, we offer entrepreneurship education to help you develop the skills needed to get started. You can learn about opportunity analysis, marketing, finance, taxes and legal issues, and even develop a business plan.
Big Idea is a community business pitch competition organized by the Central Community College Entrepreneurship Center. This competition takes place each November. Ideas are submitted in advance and narrowed down to a group of finalists.
Finalists then pitch their idea in two minutes or less. Top ideas win access to professional resources to bring their idea to reality and cash prizes. This competition is currently open to residents in Columbus, Grand Island and Kearney.
The Entrepreneurship Center has a coworking and incubator space in Grand Island. The main purpose of the incubator is to provide space at an affordable rate for new small business start-ups and/or for small business owners who wish to grow and expand. The incubator serves as a launching pad for businesses until they graduate to a market-rate location or outgrow the space.
Entrepreneurs who may require financial help with startup costs or a cash infusion for growth may apply for a low-interest loan through the Capital Loan Fund at the Entrepreneurship Center. A client may receive up to $20,000 through the loan fund. Loans are reviewed and approved by a board of directors. The Capital Loan Fund is housed within the Central Community College Foundation. Contact the Entrepreneurship Center Team to learn how to apply.
Lisa Windedahl
Columbus Innovation Center
1365 24th Ave. Ste. 300
Columbus, NE 68601
Aimee Steinhardt-Duysen
CCC Entrepreneurship Center
407 W. 3rd St.
Grand Island, NE 68801
Scott Snell
CCC Entrepreneurship Center
201 Foundation Pl. Ste. 200
Hastings, NE 68901
Stephanie Berry
CCC Entrepreneurship Center
319 W. 11th St.
Kearney, NE 68845
