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. 26% 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.
- Technology Assistance – GROW Nebraska offers technical assistance such as assistance with photography and workshops.
- Retail Training Centers – GROW Nebraska has year-round retail stores and training centers in the Hilltop Mall in Kearney, Conestoga Mall in Grand Island and Omaha Eppley Airfield. There is an additional temporary location at the Nebraska State Fair. 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.
- Commission & Fees: GROW Nebraska commission rate is 60-40. Member business receive 60% of the retail price. The retail stores/training centers are designed as market testing centers. Members are encouraged to have their brochures and business cards besides products. Many members receive retail and wholesale orders due having products in the GROW Nebraska Stores. Due to the expense of running of the stores Central Plains Foundation Board has mandated that a 5 to 15% surcharge may be charged on products in the stores to help cover costs. Questions - please contact Janell GROW Nebraska CEO at info@grownebraska.org.
- Commission & Fees: GROW Nebraska commission rate is 60-40. Member business receive 60% of the retail price. The retail stores/training centers are designed as market testing centers. Members are encouraged to have their brochures and business cards besides products. Many members receive retail and wholesale orders due having products in the GROW Nebraska Stores. Due to the expense of running of the stores Central Plains Foundation Board has mandated that a 5 to 15% surcharge may be charged on products in the stores to help cover costs. Questions - please contact Janell GROW Nebraska CEO at info@grownebraska.org.
- Online Opportunities – Consumers can shop online for member products on the GROW Nebraska eCommerce site at shopgrownebraska.org, the GROW eBay store or the GROW Amazon 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, 80% of sales are to out-of-state purchasers and 1% 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.
- Media Promotion Opportunities – GROW connections offer members the opportunity to take part in valuable promotional spots on television and radio stations that have a statewide audience. The cost of these spots would be prohibitive for small businesses. This is a media that is effective, and thanks to GROW’s efforts, members can access this remarkable marketing asset at a minimal cost. For more information please contact us at info@grownebraska.org.
- 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 member will receive a "Proud Member of GROW Nebraska" sign to post in their retail location, office, home or booth.
- Low Income Scholarships Available - 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+, Pinterest, Foursquare, Instagram, Tumblr and YouTube. Don't want to get into social media just yet? Use ours! Our Facebook page alone has over 5,700 followers at your fingertips.
- Constant Contact: Members of GROW Nebraska can get a discount on Constant Contact e-mail marketing services. Learn more here >>
- Merchant Discounts: Do you take credit cards? If not, do you want to take credit cards? We have a merchant program through TSYS Solutions that can save you money on your processing fees. Contact us at info@grownebraska.org for more information.
- 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.
- 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.
- Low Income Scholarships Available - If you are interested in GROW Nebraska but are in need of assistance, please fill out our scholarship form. Apply Now >>
