HOLBROOK, NEB. (July 13, 2009)-Summertime brings to mind a variety of flavors-buttery sweet corn, fresh watermelon, and sizzling grilled steaks.  But a new GROW Nebraska Flavors Brochure is conjuring up a different kind of "flavor" beyond the gastronomic enjoyment of taste buds. 

Thanks to a grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development's Travel and Tourism Division, GROW Nebraska has created a marketing piece that encourages people to visit some of the state's unique locations, including great museums, galleries, and retail shops featuring an amazing assortment of foods and drinks to sample, and products made by real Nebraskans.

The Flavors Brochure features 27 GROW Nebraska businesses that offer a "taste" of Nebraska. A complete listing of participants and a downloadable brochure are available at www.flavorsofnebraska.org. Both the brochure and web site feature a map pinpointing each member's contact information and location to better help travelers plan their tours to experience the Flavors of Nebraska. The brochure also is available at all participating businesses and I-80 rest area visitor's kiosks. The strategic plan that led to the Flavors interactive web site promoting small scale rural tourism attractions was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. 

"We see this project as our own miniature economic stimulus package.  We want to entice both in-state and out-of-state people to enjoy the great variety of culture in Nebraska," said GROW Nebraska CEO Janell Anderson-Ehrke.

If this opportunity alone isn't enough to entice visitors, GROW Nebraska also is offering GROW dollars to all who visit five or more locations.  GROW dollars are then redeemable in person at any Flavors of Nebraska location, or online at www.buygrownebraska.org

These 27 green, sustainable businesses have met certain guidelines, such as providing public bathrooms and having web sites, and were approved to participate in this program. 

To enjoy a great summer vacation right here in Nebraska as you support your local economy, preview the list of businesses at www.flavorsofnebraska.org.

GROW Nebraska's mission is to maximize the state's entrepreneurial and small business spirit, create an economically viable and sustainable environment for entrepreneurs, and generate social awareness through promotion, marketing and education.

To find out more about the Flavors project contact GROW at 888-476-9632, or email info@grownebraska.org        

The eBay Sellers' Challenge, a competition to encourage and enable entrepreneurs with an opportunity to build the store of their dreams has a local finalist. The finalists have been chosen and include a Holbrook, NE resident, Janell Anderson-Ehrke, who is in the running to win a $25,000 prize that she can use to help build her store on eBay.

GROW Nebraska is a nonprofit that seeks to maximize the state's entrepreneurial and small business spirit. Janell would use the prize to help cultivate the program, which is a major conduit for Nebraska-based artisans/producers to sell their products. To help GROW drum up votes from local supporters, we'd love to offer Janell for an interview on Good Morning Nebraska. Please let us know if you're interested.

More information about her and the Sellers' Challenge are included below. To see her video please visit the Web site, www.sellerschallenge.ebay.com.  

About the eBay Sellers' Challenge

• In its commitment to empower and inspire entrepreneurs to start or grow existing businesses online, eBay has developed The Sellers' Challenge, a unique contest that asks contestants to submit a video business plan responding to the question: "If you had $25,000, how would you spend it to start, or grow, your business on eBay?"
• eBay has partnered with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the world's largest foundation devoted to entrepreneurship, to help select the finalists and contribute tips for success, advice for starting and growing a business and other resources for entrepreneurs
• Contestants entered in one of four categories:

• o 18- to 24- year old entrepreneurs
• o Small businesses or individuals who have not sold on eBay
• o Part-time sellers who want to go full-time on eBay (this is Ryan's category)
• o Full-time eBay sellers who want to grow their business further

• Finalists were chosen based on the clarity of business plan, perceived business challenges and obstacles, passion for eBay and appropriateness to the contest theme as demonstrated in their video business plan
• Final voting is extended to the eBay community and runs through Thursday, August 6

About Janell Anderson-Ehrke, aka, "grow_nebraska"

• How GROW Got Started on eBay:

• o "We started selling on eBay nearly a year ago, and provide our members with a lot of information on how to sell on eBay and be effective. Nebraska is a very small, isolated state, so our members, mostly disadvantaged, low-income micro entrepreneurs, needed a way to reach outside of the state. We've had some success, with 37 sales for a total of about $1,000 so far. In 2001, the Kauffman Foundation labeled us an "entrepreneurial service organization," offering value services to those who otherwise might not be able to make a living."

• What She Thinks is Unique About Selling on eBay:

• o "It gives our sellers a platform to reach outside of our small, isolated state."

• What She'll Do With the Prize Money:

• o "We were so excited to apply for the challenge. If we win, we will have more time to go one-on-one to give our members technical assistance with selling on eBay and really explain to them how eBay can be such an effective tool for them to sell their products."