Financial Assistance
Starting a business is not easy. There are a lot of details to handle, but frequently the most stressful aspect of the process is finding financial backing. The best place to start is your local bank. Most lenders will ask you to invest 20-30% of the total project cost so it’s important to take a look at your resources before scheduling an appointment.
Phelps County Banks
Bank of Bertrand
P.O. Box 7, 601 Minor Avenue
Bertrand, NE 68927
308-472-3411
www.bankofbertrand.com 
Bruning State Bank
PO Box 315, 1224 Hill Street
Holdrege, NE 68949
308-995-3880
www.bruningbank.com
First National Bank of Holdrege
PO Box 800, 401 East Avenue
Holdrege, NE 68949
308-995-4411
fnbholdrege.com
First State Bank - Loomis
211 Commercial St., P.O. Box 230
Loomis, NE 68958
(308) 876-2451
www.fsbloomis.com
FirsTier Bank
PO Box 1038
Holdrege, NE 68949
308-995-9595
www.firstierbanks.com
Great Western Bank
PO Box 346,
Holdrege, NE 68949
995-6531
www.greatwesternbank.com
Home Federal
Savings & Loan Association of Nebraska
P.O. Box 679, 423 Garfield Street
Holdrege, NE 68949
(308) 995-8668
www.home-federal.com
mhigh@home-federal.com 
Additional resources to explore for business loans are:
SCEDD
Sharon Hueftle
South Central Economic Development District, Inc.
PO Box 79; 502 East Avenue (2nd floor)
Holdrege, NE 68949
Phone: 308-995-3190
Email: 
sharonh@scedd.us
Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP)
Dena Beck
Business Specialist
Southwest/Central Region 1
1662 32 Road
Minden, NE 68959-6612
Phone: (308) 528-0060
Email: denab@gtmc.net
Assistance for existing and start-up businesses
The Phelps County Development Corporation (PCDC) offers incentives to businesses that can demonstrate a significant level of economic impact on the creation of new primary jobs. Jobs are considered "primary" when the goods or services manufactured or processed by Phelps County workers are exported and/or sold outside of Phelps County.
Primary job businesses
The Phelps County Development Corporation is committed to the retention and expansion of existing businesses and is ready and able to assist start-ups. Historically, PCDC has provided low-interest gap financing for portions of the project that neither the traditional lender nor the equity in the business can cover. However, PCDC may be able to provide assistance or incentives to:
- Purchase real estate
- Purchase fixed assets
- Use as working capital
- Provide job training.
To apply for a loan, click here to download the 
Project Application for Economic
Development Programs.
(get Acrobat Reader)
Secondary job businesses
Although primary jobs are a principal focus, PCDC recognizes that the local retail and service sector competes for market share in the region and contribute to the economic vitality of the county.
Retail and service businesses are also eligible for PCDC’s low-interest gap financing program. The gap is defined as the portion of the project that cannot be covered by the owner’s equity or traditional financing.To apply for a loan, click here to download the Project Application for Economic
Development Programs.
(get Acrobat Reader)