What is NEON?

The Nebraska Enterprise Opportunity Network (NEON) is an association of local and statewide programs which provide support to small, locally owned businesses.

NEON was started in June 1994 to provide networking among programs and a voice to promote enterprise opportunities for people and communities with limited resources.

Membership in NEON is open to individuals, organizations, and government agencies which serve or support small and micro business development.

What is a microenterprise?

"Microenterprise" or "micro business" is commonly defined as a business with five or fewer employees. Many micro businesses are home-based, some are part-time, some are started by dislocated workers, and some provide an opportunity for low-income households to become more self-sufficient. Micro businesses are at the leading edge of the enterprise formation process and are found everywhere: rural and urban.

NEON believes that:

1. The creation and maintenance of enterprise opportunities is an important development strategy for disadvantaged communities and neighborhoods.
2. Self-employment and micro business opportunities are especially important for non-traditional entrepreneurs including women, minorities, the low-income, and dislocated or underemployed workers.
3. In many communities, the micro-enterprise sector serves as an important shock-absorber that makes communities more reliant and viable.
4. And finally, that most micro business owners could be more effective if they had better access to training and appropriate amounts of credit.

What does NEON do?

NEON's mission is to create, expand, and support small and micro business opportunities for individuals and communities with limited resources. This is accomplished by:

1. Networking - microenterprise development programs and their supporters meet regularly to discuss new ideas, trends, and legislation.
2. Advocacy - as a statewide organization NEON has the ability to be an effective voice for local, small, and microbusiness development.
3. Training - training conferences are held to help programs expand and become more effective.
4. Resources - as a statewide organization NEON has the ability to apply for alternative sources of finances to support member programs.

Why join NEON?

A membership in NEON can provide you or your organization with:

1. Opportunities for networking and referral with other organizations.
2. Training and technical assistance to support small and micro business development programs.
3. Recognition as part of a statewide organization with a voice at local, state, and national levels.
4. Financial resources to help support your program's development.

Membership in NEON is open to organizations, individuals, or government agencies which provide services or support small and micro business development. Membership includes voting privileges, an annual subscription to NEON Notes, and reduced registration fees to our annual training conference and membership meeting.