REAP Selects 6 Cash Equity Award Winners

Using $10,000 in funds provided by the Women and Company® Microenterprise Boost Program, six women microentrepreneurs across rural Nebraska will receive financial support for their enterprises. Award winners were recognized in conjunction with a GROW Nebraska Spring Meeting in April by the Center for Rural Affairs’ Rural Enterprise Assistance program (REAP).
The following women business owners were selected to receive the equity awards for 2007:

• Christina Wertenberger, Wertenberger Custom Milling, Falls City, Nebraska
• Karen Runkle, Lil’ Ladybug Greenhouse and Gardens, Hay Springs, Nebraska
• Becky Wyatt, Becky’s Health Hut, Sidney, Nebraska
• Lesley Connot, Awaken Salon, Ainsworth, Nebraska
• Lynn Welch and Cedonnia Hyke, The Pool Hall, Eustis, Nebraska

Monica Braun, REAP Women’s Business Center Director, explained, “This is our third year participating in this national project. With the nice boost these awards provided our member businesses the past two years, we are thrilled to once again be a partner and help Nebraska women-owned businesses.”

Business awardees are invited as REAP’s guests to training and special recognition events like the GROW Nebraska Spring Meeting, which offered networking and training opportunities. Part of GROW Nebraska’s mission is to maximize the state’s entrepreneurial and small business spirit.

“Thanks to the Citigroup Foundation and Women and Company, this innovative initiative makes it possible to provide awardees with both cash and skills, two critical elements for business growth and success,” Monica concluded. REAP is one of only 15 organizations selected to participate in this nationwide program.

The Women and Company® Microenterprise Boost Program offers low- and moderate-income women microentrepreneurs the opportunity to achieve greater business success by providing cash awards that will have measurable impact on the development of their businesses. Started in 2005, the program is funded by the Citigroup Foundation and is administered by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO).

The awards may be used for essential business development activities such as marketing, technology purchases, website development, inventory, or professional services. Recipients will also receive technical training, business development guidance, and assistance from REAP staff on growing their businesses and maximizing their equity awards.