The Nebraska Microenterprise Partnership Act (LB 327) became law on July 1, 1997 (Nebraska Revised Statutes, Sections 81-1295 to 81-12,105). Under this Act, state funds are appropriated yearly for use in supporting lending and training to micro businesses in Nebraska.

The Department of Economic Development in cooperation with the Nebraska Microenterprise Partnership Fund prepares a yearly report on the activities associated with LB 327 funding. The current report may be found at:

http://www.neded.org/files/businessdevelopment/microenterprise/07MicroEntAnnRep.pdf

State funds were multiplied 11 ($4,218,041) times through a two-tiered match provided by the Nebraska Microenterprise Partnership Fund and the programs serving micro businesses. The number of loans and trainees served continue to rise yearly. Over 4406 jobs were created or retained. Ninety-two of Nebraska's 93 counties reported businesses receiving training or loans under this program.

More than $1,363,940 of loans from other lending institutions to micro businesses in 2006 were made possible because of micro program technical assistance.

Rose Jaspersen, Executive Director of NMPF said "the Nebraska Microenterprise Partnership Fund and its grantee programs take state dollars, leverage other funds and provide high impact results at a low cost to tax payers."

Read the report at: http://www.neded.org/files/businessdevelopment/microenterprise/07MicroEntAnnRep.pdf