Entrepreneurs will focus ideas and education

by Gene O. Morris, Business Correspondent

02.03.09-
Proponents say the McCook Area’s Entrepreneur Network is off to a fast and exciting start. “I couldn't be happier with the kickoff meeting which took place Friday,” said Sue Shaner, who serves as business coach for the McCook Economic Development Corporation and Cambridge Economic Development. “The meeting attracted 70 entrepreneurs from throughout the area,” she said.

“Those attending represented a wide mix of business interests, including people with business ideas, people who are in business and retired business owners,” the business coach reported. “The overwhelming comment I received from attendees was that they enjoyed the networking and the chance to talk with others facing the same challenges and opportunities.”

As a result, the Entrepreneur Network will go forward. The next meeting is scheduled Friday, Feb. 27, at First Central Bank, located at 904 North Highway 83 in McCook. Those attending the noon session are asked to bring a brown bag lunch.

Reservations may be made by calling Shaner at 340-2698 or e-mailing her at sue@mccookne.org. “Reservations are important because if the turnout is as large as it was Friday, we may have to move to another location,” Shaner said. Preliminary input was gathered on Friday regarding future topics of discussion. The February meeting will focus on marketing, which was the most requested topic.

It was not only business people from McCook who attended Friday’s session. There were also entrepreneurs from Atwood, Oberlin, Arapahoe, Cambridge, Danbury, Wauneta, Culbertson and other area communities.
“The area wide representation is important because it is going to take a regional approach to fully develop our business potential,” the business coach said.

Shaner had praise for Gov. Dave Heineman and the cross section of people attending the meeting. “The people are proof of what the governor was saying. The business minded people of Nebraska and Kansas want to help each other. They are willing to share their ideas so we can succeed together.”

Shaner’s role as a business coach is funded in part by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The grant is administered by the Nebraska Rural Development Commission.

— Gene O. Morris is a free lance writer based in McCook. He may be reached by phone at 340-5972 or by e­mail at geneomorris@yahoo.com