Unlocking Success in Rural Communities: The Role of Technical Assistance
At New Growth, we believe that thriving local businesses are the cornerstone of strong communities. But, operating a business in rural communities has its unique challenges. Whether you’re a farm-based entrepreneur or running a non-farm business, having the right support, at the right time, can make all the difference in your journey to success. That’s where the support of Technical Assistance comes in – a vital resource for businesses looking to start or competitively expand. But what exactly is Technical Assistance, and how can it benefit your business?
What is Technical Assistance?
Technical assistance is a term often used in the economic development space to describe support, coaching or specialized skills needed to help small businesses. Sometimes also referred to as Business Assistance, Technical Assistance is more than just advice—it’s specialized support tailored to help small businesses overcome challenges and grow. It may include business planning, connections to specialized knowledge, and referrals to funding or support.
New Growth, we recognize that every business has unique needs, which is why we offer multiple avenues of Technical Assistance tailored to both farm and non-farm enterprises.
Assistance for Food and Farm Businesses
New Growth’s Food Systems is committed to helping locally produced food get on our menus, in our schools, or in our local and larger markets nearby. To achieve this, New Growth especially supports those local businesses who produce, distribute, or buy local food.
Expanding our reach, New Growth serves as the co-director along with the University of Nebraska Lincoln for the Heartland Regional Food Business Center, a major USDA-funded initiative launched in 2023. The Heartland Center has 14 key partner and 20 collaborator organizations from around the region who together create a substantial resource for all local food and farm related businesses.
Jaclyn Carroll, our Farm Business Counselor, plays a key role in providing Technical Assistance to farm and food entrepreneurs. With her guidance, these businesses gain access to the essential tools, knowledge, and connections they need to succeed in today’s competitive market.
Jaclyn often helps farmers with business plans when they come to her with new ideas but are unsure if they’re viable. She also frequently assists new business owners with navigating regulations, especially those in specialized industries, like mushrooms for instance. Marketing is another common concern—many entrepreneurs seek advice on what aspects they should handle themselves, what to outsource, and how much to invest.
But because of the network with the Heartland Center, Jaclyn isn’t alone in her expertise. As an example, a new business owner reached out wanting help in setting up a rural grocery store. Jaclyn didn’t know much about the grocery industry, but she knew that Kansas State (a Heartland Center Key Partner) has a Rural Grocery Initiative, so she was able to connect the client with the right person there for the guidance that was needed.
Additionally, receiving Technical Assistance like what Jaclyn provides can give entrepreneurs a competitive edge when applying to the new Business Builder grant program through the Heartland Center. Having received technical assistance earns applicants 5 bonus points in the application scoring process. These grants, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, are designed to strengthen local and regional food supply chains by helping rural and urban food and farm enterprises start, grow, and connect. The first round of funding applications are due by October 15, 2024.
Additional Business Assistance & Micro-lending
Another component of New Growth is the Women’s Business Center (WBC) which is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Wacey Rivale, the Women’s Business Center Director, provides technical assistance to rural area business owners regardless of gender. According to Wacey, Technical Assistance encompasses a wide range of services, but at its core, it’s about connecting business owners with the right resources at the right time to help them succeed.
For example, Wacey once helped a specialty coffee business by providing training on how to better use their espresso machine, thanks to her specialized experience in the restaurant industry. However, as Wacey points out, “Had I not already had that knowledge, I could have found the training they needed.”
The WBC support goes beyond just training. Its technical assistance helped business owners in writing business plans, navigating startup licensing, and connecting them with specialized knowledge through webinars and training sessions. The WBC also offers credit counseling and micro-lending services to both business owners and individuals.
One notable success story involved a business owner burdened with $50,000 in high-interest credit card debt. After receiving credit counseling through the WBC, they were able to secure a consolidation loan from a New Growth-vetted lender. This reduced their monthly payments by over $1,000 providing significant relief and allowing them to focus on growing their business.
Additionally, the WBC offers micro-loans ranging from $500 to $50,000. New business owners often struggle to secure loans from traditional lenders due to small loan amounts or insufficient revenue history. Micro-lending is one way New Growth bridges this gap, providing the essential support that businesses need to succeed.
Goal: Empower Rural Businesses
At New Growth, our mission is to empower rural businesses by providing the specialized support they need to overcome challenges and achieve growth. Through initiatives like our Food Systems program, the Heartland Regional Food Business Center, and the Women’s Business Center (WBC), we connect entrepreneurs with the resources, expertise, and networks essential for success. Often, what truly makes a difference is having someone in your corner—someone to just talk through your ideas.
Technical Assistance at New Growth is more than just guidance — it’s a partnership. We’re committed to walking alongside you, providing the right support at the right time, so you can focus on what matters most: growing your business and contributing to the vitality of our communities.
Contact us
Ready to take the next step in your business journey? Use this email to reach out and we’ll connect you with the right assistance provider for you: wbcinfo@newgrowthmo.org