REAP's Small Business Assistance Model Has Four Main Elements

Networking - Association or Roundtable Group

• Group members meet monthly for networking, discussion topics, and education.
• $15 per member annual dues to REAP. Local associations or roundtables may add their own dues. Individual annual memberships to REAP available for $30.
• Access to member benefits and services, including REAP Business Update, online member directory, access to REAP video & book library, etc.

Micro Loan Fund Access

• Direct Lending - All members are eligible for loans of $1,000 - $35,000.
• Quick & Direct GROW Loans – GROW Nebraska members are eligible for loans up to $5,000.
• REAP Rapid Loans ($5,000 or below) & Online Lending System – Application available online
• Peer Loans of $100 - $10,000 are available to members involved in associations that maintain a local loan loss reserve.
• All members may receive loan packaging assistance as needed.

Business Training

• Associations and Roundtables have on-going training at their monthly meetings.
• Associations or roundtable groups may host a REAP Business Plan Basics Training based on member and community interest.
       > A completed business plan is the end result of the training.
      > Includes components on goal setting, marketing, customer relations,
            and financial statements.
• Associations or roundtable groups may host a REAP eCommerce Training in their community based on interest.
• Regional workshops and Women’s Business Center training activities are available periodically.

Technical Assistance

REAP staff are available for one-on-one technical assistance with association members.

• Business trouble shooting consultations.
• Cash flow and budget assistance.
• Loan packaging assistance.

Description of the REAP Program

The Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) is a program of the Center for Rural Affairs (Center). The Center, based in Lyons, Nebraska, is a private, non-profit, 501(c) 3 corporation which was founded in 1973. The Center is committed to building communities that stand for social justice, economic opportunity, and environmental stewardship. 

REAP is a microenterprise development program of the Center that works with startup and existing small businesses with five or fewer employees in Nebraska on a statewide rural basis. REAP is the largest full-service microenterprise development program in Nebraska (rural or urban) and strives to serve all of the state’s rural areas.

REAP, which began in 1990, offers small business management training, networking, one-on-one technical assistance, and small loans to businesses. REAP implements these services through a “dual delivery” system by offering both association or roundtable (peer group) and individual options for receiving services. 

Formerly a “Peer Group” lender only, in 1998, REAP piloted the Direct Loan Program. In early 2000, it became a permanent part of the lending products offered to REAP-member businesses. This lending program makes individual loans up to$35,000 and provides loan capital for those who are currently falling between the cracks where no other lending capital is available. Since the inception of REAP, 486 loans totaling $3,135,741 have been placed and have leveraged an additional $7,050,655 from other sources (8/7/06). 

In addition, the REAP Women’s Business Center (WBC), the first such program in Nebraska, continues to excel in reaching rural women entrepreneurs. The REAP WBC service center is entering its sixth year of operation in 2007. 

REAP continues to pilot the REAP Hispanic – Rural Business Center (RH-RBC) work. The RH-RBC provides rural Hispanic startup and existing businesses with small business management training, networking opportunities, one-on-one technical assistance, and access to small loans. REAP uses its existing infrastructure with business specialists located throughout the state to deliver the WBC and RH-RBC services in conjunction with our current services to rural small businesses.

In 2002, REAP officially launched the REAP Individual Program to serve microbusiness owners that do not have access to a REAP association. In 2003, REAP developed and launched an extensive website designed for startup and existing small businesses in Nebraska. In 2004, REAP launched a comprehensive online REAP Member Directory and began the pilot work of the REAP Hispanic – Rural Business Center. In 2005, REAP introduced the REAP Rural Business Roundtable format. In 2006, REAP introduced the innovative REAP Online Lending System. In 2007-08, REAP will continue the challenge of scaling up its services by continued development of the current model and through the implementation of new initiatives.

See a Diagram of the REAP Model  (Power Point slide)

For More Information Contact:

Jeff Reynolds 
REAP Program Director 
Center for Rural Affairs 
PO Box 274 
Plymouth, NE 68424 
Phone/Fax: (402) 656-3091 
Email: jeffr@alltel.net