Save the date for the next Veterans in Business Forum-20 September at 0800 (8:00 AM)!
Learn how the Nebraska Enterprise Fund and their talented team can help grow your business.
All are welcome. You need not be a veteran nor a business owner to attend.
The guest speaker is: Jim Reiff
Jim is currently the Executive Director of the Nebraska Enterprise Fund (NEF), a certified CDFI serving small and microbusiness across Nebraska and SW Iowa with over $25 Million of Assets. Beyond NEF, Jim serves on the Advisory Board Member of MetaFund, an investment CDFI based in Oklahoma, and the Board of ROAM the regional Bike Share.
Jim has spent over 20 years in the economic development field focused on micro and small business financing and development. He started full time work in the economic field at the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District. He subsequently took several international roles in Albania, India, and the Latin American region leading microfinance programming.
Jim is a graduate of St. Olaf College, and Eastern University with an M.S. in Economic Development, is certified as an Economic Development Finance Professional. He has served in the US Army Reserves and as a Peace Corps Volunteer. His oldest child is a middle school educator and youngest studies journalism at UN-L.
Nebraska Enterprise Fund:
The Nebraska Enterprise Fund was established in October 1994 to support the growth and development of Micro Development Organizations (MDOs) and small and micro businesses. It became recognized as a Community Development Finance Institution in 1997. Throughout its history, NEF has supported over 22 other MDO’s in Nebraska helping them create capacity, develop revolving loan funds, and in several cases securing their own CDFI designation.
In 2010, based on market conditions and input from various stakeholders, NEF began its direct and gap financing program with its own revolving loan fund. Today, NEF continues to serve all of Nebraska and SW Iowa with its products and services. NEF is an SBA Microlender and Community Advantage lender.
To date, NEF’s funding and support has come from a wide range of stakeholders. NEF has received grants for portfolio from the CDFI Fund, State of Nebraska, and local foundations. Operating support has come from the SBA Microloan, USDA RMAP program, multiple foundations and several banks, as well as earned income. NEF has also leveraged borrowed funds for its portfolio from SBA, USDA, five local banks, OFN, Episcopal Church Development Fund, OCF, and the Peter Kiewit Foundation.
Today, NEF holds over $25 million of assets to reach diverse and underserved small and micro-businesses. It seeks to augment the banking sector and ensures that viable businesses that may not yet be bankable have access to capital and technical assistance needed by them to succeed and grow. NEF’s focus is supporting businesses that are owned, located, and/or hire populations in distressed communities.
Over the past three years, NEF has provided significant impact through its ongoing products, and services as follows:
. $16,677,386 of financing
. 361 loans disbursed
. 1207.5 jobs impacted from direct/gap financing
. 58% of loans to BIPOC owned businesses
. 39% of loans to women
. 151 start-up businesses funded
. 17,240 participants attended training programs
. 17,970 one-to-one coaching sessions
o 49% of sessions provided to Clients of Color
o 58% of those responding were start-up businesses
Guest Speaker: Jim Reiff, Nebraska Enterprise Fund
Time: 0800 – 0900 (8:00 AM- 9:00 AM)
Location: UNO
College of Business Administration
Mammel Hall, Room 117
6708 Pine Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68182
Contact: Michel Thornhill
info@littlemountainwebdesign.com
All are welcome to attend.
RSVPs are requested but not required.
info@littlemountainwebdesign.com
VIBF: Veterans in Business Forum
www.veteransinbusinessforum.org
402.932.7243
