Business reports for Sunday Oct. 1

Big Idea Kearney seeking entries for business idea contest

KEARNEY — Entries again are being accepted for a business idea contest spearheaded by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development in the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s College of Business and Technology.

Big Idea Kearney has helped area entrepreneurs launch many successful business ideas in the six years since the contest was first hosted. Past winners of the contest developed business models for a double-sided peanut butter jar, automatic irrigation shutoff and multi-directional skateboard wheels, among others.

The event has been expanded to include four categories: middle school, high school, adult college and adult non-college.

Big Idea Kearney is open to anyone with a new business concept. The idea does not have to be a complete business model, only a description of the product or service, what need it serves, its target audience and how it would be made available to those customers.

To enter, upload a two-minute video pitching a new business idea onto YouTube, then submit the URL to http://ift.tt/2fCNnJE. The deadline to enter is 4 p.m. Oct. 9. Contestants must be age 10 or older.

Finalists will be invited to present their ideas Nov. 1 at The World Theatre in downtown Kearney. Winners will receive $1,000 for first place, $500 for second and $250 for third. Various scholarships and other prize packages will be awarded to winners in middle school and high school categories.

Big Idea Kearney is sponsored by the Economic Development Council of Buffalo County, Invest Nebraska Corp., University of Nebraska 4-H Extension, NUtech Ventures and Nebraska Enterprise Fund.

For more information, including how and where to submit the video, visit http://ift.tt/2fCNnJE or contact Aliese Hoffman at 308.865.8199. Assistance with recording and uploading videos also is available by contacting Hoffman.

Recycling Equipment Grants available

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Recycling Council (NRC) has grant funds available for municipalities and other government entities, nonprofits, recycling providers and haulers to purchase recycling equipment and containers.

Grants can help fund up to $15,000 for the purchase of recycling trailers, semi-trailers, carts, dumpsters, balers, lift-gates, forklifts, trucks, recycling bins and more. A cash match is required. Equipment may be new, used or in need of refurbishing. In some cases, existing equipment can be refurbished with this grant. Applications are due by the 15th of each month. Grants are awarded until the funds are depleted.

Leadership Academy seeks applicants for 2018 class

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Water Leaders Academy is seeking applicants interested in developing their leadership skills and learning about the vital role of natural resources and water issues play in the economic sustainability of the state.

The yearlong program begins in January 2018. The deadline for applications is Nov. 15.

A program of The Water Futures Partnership-Nebraska, a 501(c) 3 organization in partnership with the University of Nebraska Lincoln, academy programs are presented by leading academic scholars, top policy makers and acknowledged experts.

The program consists of six, 1 1/2-day sessions at locations across the state and includes intense classroom and field trip experiences. More than 100 men and women have graduated from the academy since its inception in 2009.

Applications are available online at http://ift.tt/2xHVoHy or call (402) 476-0162 for more information. The Water Leaders Academy is partially funded through a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust.

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