The Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) has appointed Benjamin Benton as its new center director for the Northeast. Benton, who is based at Wayne State College, will offer free business advisory services to entrepreneurs and small company owners in 30 northeastern counties of the state who wish to launch, expand, or change their enterprises.

Benton’s work is part of the Small Business Preparation Center (SBDC) initiative of the NBDC, which offers free services to entrepreneurs and business owners such as financial projections, market research, and business plan preparation.

“I like to bring people together and find solutions to problems,” says Benton. “You don’t need to go all the way to Omaha, Lincoln, and the I-80 corridor for opportunities. They’re all right here in northeast Nebraska.

Benton formerly worked as the city administrator and clerk for the City of Randolph for four years before joining NBDC. Entrepreneurs in Nebraska are supported by NBDC through four initiatives, one of which is the Small Business Development Center program. Over 2,000 business owners in Nebraska benefited from the services of NBDC consultants in 2023, and as a result, the state’s economy gained $523.3 million in new jobs, business investments, higher sales, and government contract awards.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s NBDC center has offices all around the state. Wayne State College is one of the cooperative agreements between NBDC and other Nebraskan higher education institutions. The NBDC offers its services without charge, and its consultants are accessible for in-person or remote consultations.