Benefits of GROW Nebraska Membership
See how GROW Nebraska members are benefiting from their membership by watching this video.
Do you have a Nebraska based business or service that you want to take to the next level? GROW Nebraska works with companies of all sizes to use effective marketing strategies to grow your business. 24% of GROW Nebraska membership have been part of the program for five years or more, helping to prove its impact on Nebraska businesses.GROW Nebraska’s mission is to create sustainable economic development by supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses through promotion, market access and education. Look at a few of the benefits membership in GROW Nebraska offers!
Below is an explanation of our services. Still have questions? Visit our FAQ page. Want to know which membership level is right for you? Visit our explanation of fees here.
"I really appreciate what GROW Nebraska has done for me. I am excited that I have picked up some wholesale clients from joining the program. Beth in Kearney has also given me lots of advice, and due to that I will be changing packaging and labeling of my product after the first of the year to make it look more professional." - Janet Bitner, Grandma's Home Brewed Soap, Bertrand, Nebraska
- GROW Book – GROW Nebraska members can participate in the GROW Book, the prime publication for finding Nebraska products and services. In 2011, 2,500 catalogs were distributed to prospects and retailers, as well as being available online in pdf format. Many GROW members have reached new markets through this promotional piece.
- Technology Assistance – GROW Nebraska offers technical assistance such as assistance with web design, photography, and workshops. In 2010, technical workshops centered around social marketing tools. In 2011, workshops included information about using online resources and social media to grow your business.
- Retail Training Centers – GROW Nebraska has year-round retail stores and training centers in the Hilltop Mall in Kearney and the Conestoga Mall in Grand Island. There are additional temporary locations at the Nebraska State Fair and holiday stores. These locations are an effective test market. By working directly with consumers, members are able to see what sells and why. Have questions about how our retail stores work? Learn more in our FAQs.
- Online Opportunities – Consumers can shop online for member products on the GROW Nebraska eCommerce site at shopgrownebraska.org or at the GROW eBay store. Do you have questions about how you get your product on our online stores? Learn more in our FAQs. Since the start of GROW Nebraska eCommerce, 75% of sales are to out-of-state purchasers and 3% of sales are sent internationally. This is a great opportunity to expand your products to the global marketplace.
- Evaluations – Members can have their products evaluated for labeling, pricing, packaging, and marketability by a panel of five store owners and/or graphic designers. Members can also have their existing web sites evaluated by web development experts to get feedback on their current web sites. The product evaluation and web site evaluation are one-quarter the cost of a similar private business evaluation.
- Reduced Rate Cooperative Advertising – Cooperative advertising offers members the opportunity to take part in cooperative advertising in statewide and national magazines, television and radio. The cooperative reduced rate is generally more than half what a non-GROW Nebraska member pays. GROW Nebraska is also currently working with NTV’s Good Life to create reduced rate television advertising opportunities. Advertising on through this program allows you to reach thousands of potential local customers that can become your best repeat customers.
- Event Postings - GROW Nebraska will list upcoming events for our members on our online calendar.
- Mark it for Market Cooperative UPC Program - GROW Nebraska has barcodes available. These are the standard UPC as applicable to all products, and used to market your products to stores like Amazon, Whole Foods, and Russ’s IGA. Technical assistance is provided to all participants.
- Weekly E-mails - GROW Nebraska sends weekly e-mails every Wednesday about upcoming services offered by the program and partnering programs. View past issues >>
- Proud GROW Nebraska Sign - Every GROW Nebraska will receive a "Proud Member of GROW Nebraska" sign to post in their retail location, office, home or booth.
- AdWords - In 2011, GROW Nebraska received a Google AdWords grant worth $10,000 per month in Google AdWords. This allows GROW Nebraska members to try Google AdWords free of cost to see if they would benefit their business. At this time, AdWords are only linked to items listed on ShopGrowNebraska.org. Sign up to participate >>
- Social Media - GROW Nebraska offers several social media opportunities that are accessible to GROW Nebraska members, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, Google+, Foursquare and YouTube. Don't want to get into social media just yet? Use ours! Our Facebook page alone has over 5,000 followers at your fingertips. Want to be featured? Just let us know!
- Loyalty Cards - GROW Nebraska likes to reward local shoppers. At our retail stores, anyone who purchased $25 or more 7 times receives $10 towards their next purchase.
- GROW Getter - The GROW Getter is a weekly deal offered by GROW Nebraska. Each Wednesday, one GROW Nebraska item that is listed on ShopGrowNebraska.org is run at a discount for one day only. GROW Nebraska members can sign up to have their product featured. Also available is the Biz GROW Getter, a similar concept for GROW Nebraska service businesses.
- Loans - GROW Nebraska offers the GROW Direct Loan program in collaboration with the Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP). GROW provides the loan loss reserve and REAP administers the loan program, allowing GROW to offer access to capital up to $10,000. Do you have more questions? Visit our FAQ page.
