SEFP territory shifts north

A New Year brings unknowns, challenges and opportunities. SEFP territory lines have shifted north to include 11 communities in McCook and Turner Countys plus Tripp and Menno, SD. The Greater McCook County Alliance wrote a successful grant application, without which, the contract for services would not have happened and therefore we are grateful for this USDA Rural Development program.

SEFP's base of operations is still the Southeastern Electric Cooperative Inc. corporate building in Marion, SD. I will continue traveling to the entrepreneur at their convenience but I will NOT initiate business ideas or motivate anyone to start, expand and/or retain a business. The individual needs to have PASSION to go forward.

SEFP services remain the same which include educating the entrepreneur in the basics of business, developing and packaging their business plans which includes financial projections for 3-5 years into the future, based on past performance and/or fixed costs.

QUICK STATS - 5 new inquiries in December, working with 18 different projects currently. There are several 1st & 2nd Dollar presentations from 2009 yet to be scheduled in 2010. Activity levels in 2009 increased over 2008 but were similar to 2007.