Text Box: 	According to the September edition of the Nebraska Development News, more than 400 Nebraska Diplomats and guests turned out for the 35th Annual Diplomats Banquet at Lincoln’s Cornhusker Hotel, Sept. 6. Hosted by Governor Mike Johanns and the Diplomats, the event drew business and government leaders from throughout Nebraska, other states, and several countries. 
	The weekend kicked off with “The Biotech Symposium,” and “Doing International Business.” 
	Scottsbluff’s own Don Overman served as President of the Nebraska Diplomats and was responsible for increasing the number of members to the organization.
	The 2002 banquet also marked induction for New Diplomats. 	They are:
Bridgeport — Connie Lapaseotes, Lapaseotes Ltd.; Owen A. Palm, 21st Text Box: Century Equipment, Inc. Gering — Darrell Bentley, Portal Enterprises, Inc.; Mark Masterton, Cellular One; David Schueths, ORCOM.  
Kimball – Darlene “Shortie” Kiefer, Curley’s Machine Works, Inc. Scottsbluff — David Boeckner, Trim Line, Inc.; David Hergert, Hergert Milling, Inc.; Travis Hiner, Hiner Lease Company; Starr Lehl, Charter Communications; John Massey, J.G. Elliott Company; Calvin Roberts, Sprint; Todd Sorensen, Regional West Health Services; Leo C. Trautman, Jr., SVP Aurora Loan Services, Inc.; Bill Trumbull, Carr-Trumbull Lumber Co.
	Outstanding Community Awards went to Beatrice, Bloomfield, and North Platte. 
Text Box: 	Beatrice and Gage County have made great strides in economic growth, increasing manufacturing jobs by 51 percent from 1990 to 2000. A new Beatrice Business Campus on the grounds of Southeast Community College has been developed to recruit back office companies and train and retain a younger workforce. 
	Bloomfield has made many improvements, including building a new water tower, public library and community center. A recent accomplishment was attracting First National Bank of Omaha, which is relocating a call center to the community, creating about 25 jobs. 
	North Platte is celebrating a major economic boom. A new Wal-Mart distribution center, employing as many as 600 people, is scheduled to open in Spring 2003. Other major construction projects include recent renovations to the Great Plains Regional Medical CenText Box: 	In addition to TCD, there are several other local organizations that may be able to assist with your business questions.  We would like to feature SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) in this newsletter.
	SCORE is a volunteer association sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration.  Volunteer business-management counselors are matched with small business owners or prospective owners in need of expert advice.  
Text Box: 	SCORE volunteers are either retired or active business owners or managers.  SCORE members volunteer because they have enjoyed successful careers in business and want to give something back to their communities.
	Through in-depth counseling and training, SCORE volunteers help prospective and established small business owners and managers identify problems, determine the causes, and find solutions.  All information is kept confidential.
	SCORE chapters offer low-cost pre-business workshops that Text Box: address topics such as assessing entrepreneurial potential, developing a start-up checklist, selecting a legal entity, creating a business plan & securing funding.
	They can meet with you at the local SCORE Chapter Office, which is located at 1517 Broadway, Suite 104, at your business, or at your home.  Every effort is made to match your needs with a counselor who is experienced in a comparable line of business.  Best of all, SCORE counseling is FREE!  For more information, contact Marv Harms at Panhandle SCORE Chapter 301, (308) 632-2133, or visit their web site at www.score.org.
Text Box: Nebraska Diplomats 35th Banquet
Text Box: Additional Business Assistance:  SCORE
      Page 3 Text Box: Twin Cities Development Association, Inc.
Text Box: Volume 1,Issue 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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