Resources

• Tax Increment Financing

• Historical Tax Credits

• City, County, Housing Reuse funds available.

State of Nebraska Tax Incentives for New & Expanding Businesses:

·         Nebraska Advantage

·         Employment Expansion & Investment Incentive Act - LB 1124, LB 270

·         Rural Economic Opportunity Act - LB 936

·         Invest Nebraska Act - LB 620

Training Incentives:

·         Nebraska Worker Training Program

Business Loans/Loan Guarantees:

·         Jefferson County/Fairbury Revolving Loan Funds (Reuse Funds) see above

·         Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)

·         Small Business Administration Financing (SBA)

·         USDA Rural Financing Programs

·         Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) Loan Programs

·         Nebraska MicroEnterprise Partnership Fund Loan Programs

·         Nebraska Energy Office - Loans for Energy Savings/Pollution Prevention

·         Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA)

                     Nebraska Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO)

 

Business Planning Resources

1. On-Line Business Startup/Planning Course, from My Own Business, Inc.
2. Bplans.com: Business Planning Made Easy
3. E-Commerce: Checklist & Business Plan --- Web Tools & Resources
4. SBA: Small Business Administration Business Startup Guide -- Market Research
5. SCORE: Service Corps of Retired Executives Business Counseling -- Find nearest SCORE Office
6. NBDC: Nebraska Business Development Center Business Startup Guide -- Nebraska offices
7. EDGE, REAP, NBDC, UN-L, NUSkills-online: Nebraska - Entrepreneurial Training Programs
8. The 'NebFacts' series on small business, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln/IANR
9. 'Entreworld' by Kauffman Foundation resources for entrepreneurs
10. Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education - elementary thru college as well as community-based
11. 'Working Knowledge' - Entrepreneurship by Harvard Business School
12. SOHO Business Owners' Toolkit by CCH Incorporated
13. Business Insurance - Consumers Guide
14. Model Business Forms, from Entrepreneur.com
15. BizFind - Help in finding business opportunities in Nebraska

     Nebraska Business Guides/Directories

1. 2004 Nebraska Directory of Manufacturers - (requires Adobe Reader)
2. Nebraska International Trade Directory - (requires Adobe Reader)
3. Licensed Occupations in Nebraska (& other states) - (requires Adobe Reader)
4. NBDC Business Startup Guide
5. Nebraska Manufacturing & Food Processor web links
6. Directory of Historically Underutilized Businesses in Nebraska - (requires Adobe Reader)
7. NMPF - Nebraska MicroEnterprise Partnership Fund - NMPF Directory
8. Grow Nebraska - promoting Nebraska arts and crafts entrepreneurs
9. Nebraska Business Incubators
10. Nebraska State Government: Home Page ]  [ State Agencies
11. Nebraska Department of Economic Development - Program Services
12. Nationwide links to State Departments of Revenue, Labor, Insurance & Secretaries of States
13. GovEngine.com - Federal, State and Local governments search engine
14. Business Directory links - compiled by Nebraska Library Commission
15. National Construction web links

    Laws & Regulations:

Nebraska Business Laws & Regulations:

1. Nebraska Statutes on Selected Business Topics, by Department, Subject
2. Licensed Occupations - by state, occupation, agency
3. Search Licensees & Registered Businesses - Various Nebraska State Agencies
4. Administrative Rules and Regulations of Nebraska State Agencies
5. UCC - Uniform Commercial Code - Nebraska Statutes
6. Municipal Codes: Omaha/North Platte/S.Sioux City -- Lincoln
7. Non-Resident Contractors: Registration/Bonding/Tax Guide - (requires Adobe Reader)
8. Contractor Registration Act -  (Lancaster, Douglas & Sarpy Counties only)
9. Sales Tax Information for Contractors -- Sales Tax Guide for Contractors
10. Requirements for Licensed Food Service Establishments
11. Consumer Protection Division - Nebraska Attorney General
12. Nebraska State Agencies web sites -- State Government Business Forms (search)
13. Nebraska County Government web sites
14. Nebraska-Online for Business Portal

Federal Business Laws & Regulations:

1. ADA : Americans w/ Disabilities Act ] [ ADA Accessibility Guidelines
2. DOL (Dept. of Labor) : Employment Laws Assistance for Small Business and Employees
3. OSHA : Office of Small Business Assistance
4. DOT (Dept. of Transportation) : Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
5. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) : Compliance Assistance Clearinghouse
6. FDA (Food & Drug Administration) : Small Business Guide / Food Safety / Cosmetics Labeling
7. FTC (Federal Trade Commission) : Business Guidelines
8. SEC (Security and Exchange Commission) : Information for Small Businesses
9. USDA (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture) : Food Safety & Inspection
10. Federal Register / searchable -- Full text - all 2004 editions
11. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
12. Federal Web Locator - links to Federal Dept. web sites
13. U.S. Gov't Business Portal

Legal Resources:

1. Selecting the Legal Structure for your Business
2. Legal Self-Help Business Startup Books, from Attorney Et Al
3. NOLO 'Law for All', sections on small business & employment law
4. BusinessLAW.gov - Legal and regulatory information for small businesses
5. BusinessWeek - Small Business Legal Guide
6. FindLaw™ for business // Internet Legal Resource Guide (ILRG) Legal Forms Archive
7. Find a lawyer - West Legal Directory
8. Locate an attorney - Nebraska State Bar Association

    Employers & Employees

State of Nebraska - Employer Registrations & Requirements

1. Nebraska Tax ID Number - Application Form - (requires Adobe Reader)
2. Nebraska Income Tax Withholding FAQs -- Circular EN - Income Tax Withholding
3. Nebraska Unemployment Insurance -- New Account: Apply online -or- download paper form
4. Nebraska New Hire Reporting -- Reporting Form
5. Nebraska Workers Compensation Court ]  [ Workers Comp. Information
     -- Nebraska Workers Compensation Insurance Plan
6. Federal & State Labor Posters
7. Nebraska Labor Laws
8. Nebraska Labor Market Information - Publications & Special Studies
9. New employer agency checklist (phone)

Federal - Employer Registrations & Requirements

1. IRS: Federal 'Employer ID Number' (EIN): On-Line EIN Application & Instructions
2. IRS: Federal employment information for businesses with employees
3. IRS: Employment Tax Forms & Publications
4. IRS: Guidelines on "Employee or Independent Contractor?
5. -- Guide to the 20 IRS 'Employee vs Independent Contractor' Questions
6. SSA: Social Security Administration: Guide to Wage Reporting for Employers
7. BCIS: Bureau of Citizenship/Immigration Services - Employer Guide - Omaha -- Lincoln
8. OSHA: Occupational Safety & Health Administration - Small Business Information
9. DOL: U.S. Department of Labor FAQs & Answers

Other Employment Information

1. Job Openings in Nebraska - Explore career opportunities in Nebraska
2. Nebraska Career Compass - Workforce Development/Dept. of Labor
3. Nebraska Worker Training Program - Workforce Development/Dept. of Labor
4. Nebraska Customized Job Training - Department of Economic Development
5. Work Opportunity and Welfare-to-Work - Federal tax credits for employers
6. Quarterly Employment/Wage Data - Nebraska counties - DOL/Labor Market Information
7. Techtry - Assistive Technologies - Workforce Development/DOL & Vocational Rehabilitation
8. Foreign Business Ownership
9. BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics -- Union affiliation of workers by state
10. BLS: CPI / Consumer Price Index -- PPI / Producer Price Index

     Public Business Financing Programs

Do you have a business plan yet? - plan development, counseling and training resources

Venture Capital:
1. Invest Nebraska Corporation
2. Midlands Venture Forum

Business Loans/Loan Guarantees:

1. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - administered by Department of Economic Development
    ----2004 Economic Development Loan Program - Summary / 2004 Application Guidebooks
    ----CDBG-Economic Development loans made by NDED since 1999
    ----CDBG-ED 'Re-Use' Funds available as of December 31, 2004, by Community

2. SBA - Small Business Administration Loan Programs
    ----SBA-'Preferred/Certified/Express' Nebraska Lenders
    ----NBDC: SBA Loan application counseling
    ----SBA-Nebraska (Omaha office)
    ----SBA-Nebraska Business Training & Events Calendar
    ----SBA loans in Nebraska: 2004 -- 2003  --  2002
    ----NEDCO: SBA 504 Loans - fixed rate loans for fixed asset projects
    ----SBA: Disaster Loans / Nebraska Declarations / FEMA Disaster Relief

3. USDA Rural Financing Programs
    ----Rural Business Investment Program - NEW SBA-USDA Partnership
    ----USDA - Value-Added Ag-Product Market Development grants
    ----USDA - Nebraska Staff
    ----USDA Business Finance Loans 1999-2001
    ----USDA Farm Service - Farm Loan Programs

4. REAP: Rural Enterprise Assistance Project: Microenterprise Direct Loans
5. Nebraska MicroEnterprise Partnership Fund - NMPF 2003 Annual Report
6. Northeast Nebraska Development District Business Loan Programs
7. Loans for Energy Savings / Pollution Prevention - Nebraska Energy Office
8. Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA)
9. Nebraska Tax-Increment Financing (TIF) & TIF Primer: Nat. Asso. of Realtors
   --   2004 Tax Increment Financing Annual Report - Dept. of Property Assessment and Taxation
10. LB 840 - Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act -- NEW LB840 Guide

Grant Resources:

** Notice: Grant Writing Workshop - Western Nebraska, Winter 2005

    Apply for a DUNS number - required of all Federal grant applicants

1. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance - Directory of Federal Grants
2. Federal 'Grants.gov' - find & apply for competitive Federal grant opportunities
3. Grant writing tools for non-profit organizations
4. Nebraska Foundations - mostly giving to community, family & youth projects
5. Nebraska Community Foundation
6. Nebraska Grant Writers
7. The Foundation Center
       -- Top 50 U.S. Foundations Awarding Grants in Nebraska
       -- Top 50 Recipients of Foundation Grants in Nebraska
8. IRS and Nebraska information for non-profit & tax-exempt organizations

9. SBIR - Small Business Innovation Research Program   &    Federal Sci-Tech Resources
10. USDA Value-Added Agricultural Product Market Development Grants (VADG) --
11. NDEQ - Waste Reduction/Recycling Grants - & - Recent grants: FY2003 - FY2002 - FY2001
12. Child Care grants - Nebraska Health & Human Services System
13. Nebraska Environmental Trust -- Recent grant awards

Other:
1. 2004 CDBG-Community Development Block Grant Application Guidelines
2. 2004 Community Connect Broadband Grant program -- USDA/Rural Utilities Service
3. Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) - encourages banks to meet credit needs in their community
4. Grantsmanship Center - Grant-related training and information

    Tax Information for Businesses

Federal: --- IRS Small Business HelpLine: 800-829-4933

1. IRS : Home Page --- Web Site Map
2. IRS: Application for Federal Tax ID Number (aka: Employer ID Number/EIN/Form SS-4)
    ----SS-4 en Espanol y Instrucciones
3. IRS : Small Business/Self-Employed Community
4. IRS : Tax Forms --- Tax Publications
5. IRS : FAQ's / IRS contact in Nebraska
6. IRS : Small Business Tax Workshop: Workbook or Online
7. IRS : Tax Guide for Small Business --- Order Small Business Products Online
8. IRS : Tax Information for selected industries/professions
9. IRS : International Taxpayer information
10. IRS: Toll-Free Numbers for Information/Assistance

State of Nebraska: --- Taxpayer Assistance Helpline: 800-742-7474

1. Nebraska: Department of Revenue Home Page
2. Nebraska: Application for Nebraska Tax ID Number - (Adobe Reader)
3. Nebraska: Tax Regulations -- Sales and Use Tax Information
4. Nebraska: Communities with Local Option Sales & Use Tax/Rates & Sales Tax Rate Cards
5. Nebraska: Resale Certificate (Wholesale - Form #13)
6. Nebraska: Business Taxes FAQs
7. Nebraska: Tax Forms & Tax Information Guides -- (all require Adobe Reader)
8. Nebraska: Taxpayer Assistance : E-mail your question or: Regional offices

Other:
1. Valuation, Property Taxes, & Tax Rate Information - Nebraska Dept. of Property Assessment & Taxation
2. 2002 Annual Report (released December 2003) - Nebraska Dept. of Revenue
3. Net Taxable Sales: Latest Monthly & 1999 thru 2003 - Nebraska Dept. of Revenue
4. Taxes in Nebraska - history of major taxes, annual data 1980-2004, state rankings by type of tax, etc.
5. Occupation Tax (statutes) -- Occupation Tax FAQ's - Nebraska Secretary of State
6. Tax Rates & Comparisons for the 50 States -- Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA)

Nebraska Business/Tax Incentives:

1. Nebraska Tax Incentives for New and Expanding Businesses: Brochure (.pdf)
     Summary of all incentive programs --- LB775 only --- Complete information on all programs

2. KPMG Tax & Incentive Analysis (2004) (1 MB .pdf)
3. Nebraska Jobs Coalition Economic Impact (LB775) Study
4. Employment & Investment Growth Act - Exempt Personal Property Regulations
5. Community Development Assistance Act (CDAA) -- CDAA Credit Computation Form
6. Tax Incentive for Commercial Historic Preservation explained - Nebraska Historical Society
7. Nebraska Enterprise Zones
8. Work Opportunity and Welfare-to-Work - Federal tax credits for employers

Information for Non-Profit & Tax-Exempt Organizations

Nebraska - Non-Profit Organization Information:

1. How to Create a Nonprofit Organization in Nebraska - Funders' Group of Lincoln/Lanc. Co.
2. Steps to incorporate a nonprofit organization in Nebraska
3. Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act
4. Nebraska Taxation of Nonprofit Organizations - Dept. of Revenue
5. IRS - Tax-Exempt (501c) Organizations in Nebraska as of February, 2005 - Excel spreadsheet (2.1mb)

Federal - Tax-Exempt Organizations Info: --- IRS Non-Profit Help Line: 877-829-5500

1. IRS: Becoming a Tax-Exempt Organization
2. IRS: Charitable Contributions ] [ Disclosure Requirements for Charitable Organizations
3. IRS: Tax Information for Charities and other Non-profits
4. FirstGov for Nonprofits

Other Non-Profit Resources:

1. "Creating a Non-Profit Corporation", extensive preview of self-help book by M.L. Gabriel
2. Internet Nonprofit Center - FAQs
3. Board Source - building effective nonprofit boards
4. Management Assistance Program for Nonprofits
5. Grant Resources for Nonprofits

     Intellectual Property &Inventors Resources

1. Intellectual Property Law
2. USPTO-Licensed Nebraska Patent Attorneys

Trade Names & Trademarks:

1. Nebraska: Trade Name Registration - application form & corporate/entity name search
2. Nebraska: Trademark Registration Act & application form
3. Secretary of State-Corporate Office - Fee Schedule
4. Choosing a business name FAQ - from 'NOLO Law for All'
5. Federal Trademark Information ]  [ Federal Trademark Online Application Form
6. Trademarks on the Internet ]  [ International Trademark Association

Patents:

1. U.S. Patent & Trademark Office ]  [ Patent Information ]  [ U.S. Patent FORMS
2. USPTO: Provisional Patent Application -- Provisional patent app. FAQs
3. USPTO-Licensed Nebraska Patent Attorneys
4. USPTO Patent Search ]  [ UN-L Patent Library
5. Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) - Filing international patent application
6. European Patent Office (EPO)

Copyrights

1. U.S. Copyright homepage (Library of Congress) ]  [ U.S. Copyright Forms
2. Copyright on the Internet, by T.G. Field, Jr. ]  [ Bitlaw - Copyright Law

SBIR - Small Business Innovation Research & Other R&D Support Programs in Nebraska

*** March 7-10, 2005 National SBIR/STTR Conference in Omaha  ***

1. National SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Conferences, Federal SBIR homepages
2. SBIR and STTR programs - Federal R&D support for product & process development
3. SBIR/STTR - Frequently asked questions
4. Nebraska SBIR Award Winners: Abstracts, 1983-2001 & Company web links
5. SBIR assistance: UN-L Tech. Park // Gisele Olney - NBDC-NMEP/Omaha/(402) 554-6261
6. U.S. Dept. of Energy - Invention$ & Innovation Program
7. ATP - 'Advanced Technology Program' - U.S. Dept. of Commerce

Inventors:

1. The Inventors' Network
2. Independent Inventor Resources - from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
3. American Inventors Protection Act of 1999 - summarized
3. Nebraska Invention Development Services Disclosure Act
4. National Invention Fraud Center
5. Sample Non-Disclosure/Non-Compete Agreement
6. Nebraska Trade Secrets Act

  Return to Table of Contents

     Government Procurement:

Federal Government Procurement:

1. Selling to the Government
2. FedBizOpps - Search-Monitor-Retrieve all Fed solicitations >$25k
3. SBA Procurement Marketing and Access Network
4. Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
5. Federal Marketplace - Procurement Data Warehouse
6. Form 129 - Federal Solicitation Mailing List Application - (requires Adobe Reader)

Nebraska Government Procurement:

1. Nebraska State Purchasing Online
2. Nebraska Dept. of Roads - Contractor information
3. City of Omaha Contractors & Consultant Information
4. National Assocation of State Purchasing Officials
5. Nebraska HubZones - contracting benefits to businesses in qualified areas

Other Procurement Resources:

1. NBDC Procurement Technical Assistance Center
2. Nebraska Surety Bond & Technical Support Program
3. All About Surety Bonds - Surety Information Office
4. Terrecom.com - for Commercial & Government buyers and sellers
5. CapturePlanning.com - market research, intelligence gathering, proposal writing

    Women & Minority Business Resources

1. Minority Business Certification Options in Nebraska
2. Minority & Woman-Owned Businesses in Nebraska - 1997 Economic Census
3. Directory of Historically Underutilized Businesses in Nebraska (1999)
4. Nebraska Dept. of Roads - DBE Contractor information
     --- Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, from Nebraska Dept. of Roads
5. Minority-/Woman-Owned Businesses Registered, from Nebraska State Purchasing
6. Omaha - Certified Protected/Disadvanted Businesses Directory
7. SBA 8a & SDA (Small Disadvantaged Business) program
8. Minority Business Development Agency (Dept. of Commerce)
9. Native eDGE, development guidance & empowerment
10. Great Plains Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc.
11. WomenBiz - for Women-owned businesses selling to Federal government
12. Women's Business Center - Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP-Nebraska)
13. NAWBO - National Association of Women Business Owners
14. American Business Women's Association (ABWA)
15. Women's Business Enterprise National Council - offers online certification application
16. Abilities Fund - Entrepreneurial opportunities for Americans w/disabilities
17. All States - subcontractor directories

    Nebraska Business Information:

A. MAPS:
     GIS / Traffic / Economic / Census Tract / Parks / Current Road Conditions
      --- Interactive Census / Fedstats / Other

B. Business Studies:
2. KPMG Report: A Comparative Analysis of Nebraska's Tax and Incentive Climate (2004)
3. Milken Institute Report: Nebraska's Position in Technology and Science (2003)
4. SBA Small Business Profile: Nebraska (2003)
5. NPPD: Nebraska Industry Opportunity Studies (1996-2004)
6. UN-L: Retail pull factors of Nebraska towns and counties

C. Demographics:
7. Nebraska Reports, Statistics & Databook - Dept. of Economic Development Research
8. Nebraska Business Demographics Summary - Dept. of Economic Development Research
9. Nebraska Census Data, UNO Center for Public Affairs Research/State Data Center
10. Components of Population Change, Nebraska Counties, 1990-2000, UNO Center for Public Affairs Research
11. County Business Patterns - Nebraska, from U.S. Census Bureau
12. 2000 Census: Nebraska - Census Bureau site
13. American Factfinder - Census Bureau, access to detailed census data
14. Nebraska Fact Sheet - USDA, Economic Research Service - emphasis on rural & farm statistics
15 Nebraska Vital Statistics, Nebraska Health & Human Services System
16. Health/Human Services - County & Service Area Profiles - from Nebraska HHSS
17. Businesses Registered w/Secretary of State - Registered by Type/Year -- Total Active by Type/Year
18. HUD - Nebraska: Latest Local Low/Mod Income - Excel spreadsheet, BIG file!

D. Other Information & Resources
17. NEDI Online - 'Nebraska Economic Development Information' - NPPD
18. Technologies Across Nebraska - Confronting/Overcoming the 'Digital Divide'
19. Nebraska Real Estate - Find a realtor anywhere in Nebraska
20. Nebraska Newspapers - Nebraska Press Association
21. Nebraska State Agencies  &   Nebraska County Governments
22. Nebraska Association of Bed & Breakfast
23. Univ. of Nebraska - Research Centers
24. UNL Food Processing Center ]  [ Nebraska Farmers' Markets
25. Nebraska Web Design Businesses (listed at their request)
26. Nebraska Development Organizations
27. The Edgerton Quality Award - Recognizing quality achievements in Nebraska businesses
28. Child care Resources for business
29. Gross State Product (all states) - Bureau of Economic Analysis
30. Nebraska - from Wikipedia's free online encyclopedia
31. Nebraska Studies - facts & viewpoints about Nebraska and its history
32. UNL Speakers Bureau - Find speakers on many topics

     Resources on Selected Business Topics

1. Better Business Bureau
2. Business Week Online (Small Business Section)
3. Inc. Online
4. ebusiness forum , from the 'Economist' Intelligence Unit'®
5. Find Trade Shows - TSNN.com
6. How to Become a QVC Vendor
7. The Dismal Scientist - off the wall variety of statistics and facts
8. International ISO9000 Database // ASQ - American Society for Quality
9. Universal Product Code (UPC) & Bar Code - Uniform Code Council, Inc.
10. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
11. Industrial Classification Codes: NAICS - SIC Code search
12. International Franchise Association - all about franchising
13. BusinessCreditUSA.com, nationwide business locator -14 million business
14. 'Bigcharts' Stock Market Information
15. '10 Best' economic data web sites - as nominated by EconData.net
16. LGEAN - Local Government Environmental Assistance Network
17. City Cost of Living Comparison Calculator
18. SalaryExpert.com - national compensation data information
19. Answers.com - when all else fails...