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PEDCO Micro-Business Opportunities Project
Welcome Future Business Owners!
Thanks for visiting this website! PEDCO has assisted members of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska in the service areas with the development and growth of their businesses thanks to the 2007-2008 ANA SEDS grant. The ANA SEDS grant ended September 29, 2008 but we will continue to allow members the resources available on this website to start and grow their businesses.
PEDCO – WHO WE ARE
The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska chartered the Ponca Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO) as a Tribal corporation. PEDCO is the primary vehicle for economic development for the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. PEDCO maximizes the competitive advantages of the Ponca Tribe’s sovereign status and associated rights to attract investments and build capital while maintaining the cultural values of the Ponca People.
MICRO-BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES PROJECT VISION
Improving the quality of life for our Members by providing business resources to create, sustain and enhance Ponca-owned business.
MICRO-BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES PROJECT MISSION
To assist Tribal Members in their move towards personal reliance and independence by providing stable, diversified self-employment opportunities through micro-business development training and services.
MICRO-BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES PROJECT SUMMARY
The PEDCO Micro-Business Opportunities Project was a one year program funded by the Administration of Native Americans for fiscal year 2008. The project supported small business development for Ponca Tribal Member participants in our service area by providing free entrepreneurial training, start-up services, credit repair services, web-based technical assistance, and more. Services were tailored to meet the needs of both adults and youth. PEDCO has partnered with several community organizations to enhance the project impact and sustainability.
The 2007-2008 ANA SEDS grant was a success project and we would like to congratulate the eleven graduates of the PMBO Project and hope they continue their business success. Below is a picture of the PMBO Project graduates that attended the graduation ceremony.
What the PMBO Project offered?
The project offered free Entrepreneurial/Small BusinessTraining to participants to tribal members in the Tribal Service office. The training is available online at www.PoncaTribe.Biz to continue training after the grant year. Courses were taught by an education professional, Joe Rousseau. The Project Director and certified NxLevel Training Instructor, Ponca Member Becci White, also participated in the training. The NxLeveL ™ Entrepreneurial Training Programs were developed and designedesigned to train both potential and existing entrepreneurs by offering a practical, condensed series of entrepreneurial training sessions. The participants learned to: Assess your business idea and set goals Make a business and personal budget Build and repair your credit Identify your customer and how to market to them Write a business plan to get financing
During our grant year, if members contacted us and their needs were not within the scope of PEDCO and the PMBO Center, we had a referral program. Our referral services included departments within the Tribe such as Social Service and Education, but also include many external resources. Online resources can be accessed through this website or through any Tribal Service Office after the grant year.
FREE Use of the PMBO Center
PEDCO has created a Micro-Business Opportunities (PMBO) Center for small business development in the Lincoln PEDCO Office that will continue to help members in the service areas with your business needs. The PMBO Center includes a business resource library, computers, a fax machine, printer, and a telephone to be used for your business needs. PMBO Center will also provide technical assistance during business hours in the Center. The PMBO Center is located at 941 "O" Street in Lincoln, NE 68508.
Start-up Services
PEDCO developed community partnerships and resources to help with our members business success. The community partnerships include a number of professional experts from the community that will guide the PEDCO Micro-Business Opportunities Project throughout our grant year. The community resources included many of the project partners, but also included resources in each service area to assist members in the development of their business. Again, many resources are still available on this website after the grant year. Graduates will be linked with community professionals who will mentor them throughout their start-up business phase.
What Do We Need From Participants?
- Commitment to week courses
- Weekly business plan assignments
- Drive and dedication to business
How Do You Get Started?
Please click the link below to participate in the PEDCO online Video Training Series. The training includes Financial Literacy training and the NxLevel Business Training series. http://www.poncatribe.biz/Video_Links.html
Becci White, Project Director
(402) 208-1135
Becci@PoncaTribe.biz
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