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Kelsey Bergen
by Kelsey Bergen
As we continue to focus on business growth that is generated within the community, it is important to look at entrepreneurship or business start-ups. Most frequently, the jobs created in our community come from entrepreneurs who already live in Hamilton County and want to start a business.
When compared to a new industry attracted to town, business start-ups generally do not create many jobs at one time, but they still benefit the community with job diversity and stability.
In the time it can take to attract one large business with 50 employees, 10 new businesses could start with five employees each, creating the same number of jobs. This is why it is important for economic development efforts to focus both on supporting entrepreneurship and business attraction.
Since there is no one size fits all way to start a business, the support Aurora Development Corporation (ADC) can provide to an entrepreneur can look different from business to business. This can include help finding a building to rent or buy, support for writing a business plan, providing a connection to gap financing, marketing resources, market analysis, mentoring, problem solving, support in hiring staff, and more.
With this long list of ways ADC supports entrepreneurs, it is important to note that in most cases ADC primarily works as a connector. We connect entrepreneurs to the partners who can support the entrepreneur’s specific needs. We partner with organizations like the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Nebraska Public Power District, the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, the City of Aurora and more, based on what the individual business needs.
Connecting to resources largely works in the same way, with organizations like the Center for Rural Affairs, Rural Enterprises Assistance Project (REAP), Nebraska Business Development Center, Nebraska Development Corporation (NEDCO), Invest Nebraska, Nebraska Enterprise Fund, UNL Cooperative Extension, South Central Economic Development District, USDA Rural Development, Grow Nebraska and more.
It is impossible for an entrepreneur to know all these organizations exist and understand what services and support they can provide. This is why ADC is a great first contact with questions because we stay up to date on what is available, and can connect entrepreneurs to the right resources quickly, without hours of searching online.
Small businesses and entrepreneurs are, and will continue to be, important to Aurora and Hamilton County. When you look around the community there is evidence of entrepreneurship everywhere.
The area near the historic square in downtown Aurora is vibrant with activity and new businesses opening each year. This business mix includes retail, restaurants, bars, fitness, cosmetic, financial, professional services and more. Buildings in this area of town rarely are for sale and stay on the market a short time, so interested parties need to be proactive to enter this market. The Highway 14 and Highway 34 corridors running along the city are full of restaurants, retail and service industries. A limited number of sites and buildings become available for sale in these areas each year and they do not stay on the market for long.
This is evidence that Aurora is supportive of small business and motivated entrepreneurs will find success in the community. If you are interested in starting a business, contact the Aurora Development Corporation office at the Bremer Center, so we can support you in making your ideas become a reality.
KELSEY BERGEN serves as executive director of the ADC. She can be reached at kelsey@growaurora.com
