TCD Creates an Environment for Small Businesses to Thrive
April 11, 2024
The Twin Cities Development Association is dedicated to going above and beyond to support small businesses. Local success stories like Mike’s Wild Dogs, a Scottsbluff food cart phenomenon created by Michael Wilson, are a testament to TCD’s commitment to helping small businesses thrive.
Mike’s Wild Dogs: A Local Success
When Michael Wilson moved to Scottsbluff six years ago, he had already worked in the culinary arts for his entire career. Even before completing the Job Corps program at 19, he had been working in restaurants as a teenager. Pursuing a career in cooking was a no-brainer from day one.
Once Wilson and his wife moved to Scottsbluff from New Mexico, Wilson was on the hunt for his next great idea. He wanted to try something original, and the area already had an abundance of great restaurants and food trucks. That’s when he landed on a New York City-style hot dog cart, and Mike’s Wild Dogs was created.
As a seasonal, outdoor business, Wilson capitalizes on the notion that “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” His growing fan base anxiously awaits his re-opening each spring and follow along on his Facebook page to see where he’ll be operating each day. “Being mobile has created a novelty; people have to try to find where I’m at,” Wilson said. “I have a lot of fans that seek me out when I’m open, and it’s lent to my success. People that try my hot dogs love it because there’s nothing like it in the area.” This year, Mike’s Wild Dogs started its season by popping up at the Kennel Club Dog Show – but fans will have to wait and see where Wilson moves his hot dog cart next.
What’s Available for Small Businesses
Western Nebraska’s pro-business attitude makes it an ideal place to start or expand a business. Among the available resources is TCD’s eCenter, a gathering place for entrepreneurs. The eCenter is a flexible co-working space where existing and startup companies and entrepreneurs can access resources and obtain assistance from various services. Entrepreneurs can register for training workshops, find funding through connecting with investors, sign up for a mentorship, network with other business owners, and more. For entrepreneurs specifically in the culinary arts, the TCD eKitchen provides access to a quality commercial-grade kitchen without the costs of a commercial location. Culinary professionals can utilize the space to test their ideas, practice their cooking skills, and grow a customer base. Budding chefs can rent the space from a few hours to a few weeks, giving them an unparalleled, hands-on experience they can’t find anywhere else.
In 2024 alone, TCD has offered 585 business trainings, assisted 52 existing local businesses with expansion, and helped 42 brand-new businesses get started. TCD has dispersed more than $2.5 million in Rural Workforce Housing Funds, which are used to increase the supply of available housing and attract more workers to Western Nebraska. With more than 37 newly listed commercial buildings, there’s plenty of space and resources for every entrepreneur to create a thriving business.
Partner resources are also available for residents who want to expand their ideas even further. For specific business resources, the Twin Cities Development team is always available to talk and provide connections. TCD has created endless opportunities for entrepreneurs to thrive – to take the next step and start your business journey, contact us today.
