1. REACH
2015 Update
Perform outreach to Small & Emerging Businesses (SEBs)
All 252 current City of Omaha Certified SEBs have been contacted several times via e-mail correspondence with
educational opportunities and have been notified of projects. Direct face-to-face interaction has been made with
more than 50 small contractors.
65 new SEBs
in 6 months
Add to the pool of City Certified SEB’s
REACH has contributed to increasing the overall number of certified SEBs in the pool. When
we began in June 2015, the number was 187. The number is now approximately 252; an
increase of 65 net new.
The addition of 65 new certified firms is a testament to the collaborative effort of the City’s
HRR Department, Omaha Public Schools utilizing the City’s SEB certification process and REACH actively
engaging in recruitment efforts. Seven of the certified have been a direct result of REACH encouragement
and hands-on assistance in the application process. Other potential SEBs assisted have their applications in
process. Several others have been provided the forms but have not yet gathered all necessary documentation for
submittal.
REACH will continue to promote City SEB certification and tout the value of certification by SEBs, as well as work
to increase the value of certification. In section 3 of this document regarding financing, the invoice financing is
being made available solely to City certified SEBs.
REACH has implemented a process whereby the Human Rights and Relations Department is notified when a SEB
is interested in certification and REACH provides a paper or electronic application to the potential SEB.
Work performed toward this goal includes:
• Promoting the SEB program at pubic group educational and outreach sessions
• Disseminating information on the benefits and value of the SEB program in one-on-one consultation sessions
• Assisting people in understanding the certification process and the documents required
• Directing firms to the City of Omaha’s Human Rights & Relations web page and ultimately to the people
within the department responsible for the SEB certification process
• Increasing the value of City SEB certification by offering programs only available to certified firms
$400k
funding to
12 firms
Have at least 20 firms acquire funding for materials, operations or equipment with at least 50
percent being at-risk firms without current access to traditional lending
REACH has created a two-part strategic partnership with the Nebraska Enterprise Fund (NEF).
REACH envisioned and established an affordable and less-than-market-rate factoring program,
executed by NEF. These factoring lines of credit are specifically designed for use by SEB firms
that cannot gain access to credit through the traditionally established banking and micro-
lending channels. More than $400k has been approved for funding to 12 small firms since July, resulting in firms
being able to increase cash flow to float payrolls, purchase materials in advance and in many ways, increase their
capacity to do business.

2. Achieve first-time bonding status for SEBs
From credit remediation, to financial literacy, to general business administration; REACH has
been working with firms on various aspects of bond preparedness. A number of private sector
firms in the insurance and bonding arenas have volunteered to work with REACH and its
participants. These volunteer firms are comprised of SEBs, as well as regional and international
firms. Two SEB firms, previously unable to secure a payment and performance bond, received
approval for bonding on projects belonging to REACH Institutional Partners.
6 sessions
985 hours of
training
Lead, facilitate and/or partner in 12 group educational sessions throughout the year
resulting in 500 hours of group training
Six group sessions were held, totaling 985 hours of training. Sessions have all been inclusive
of other service providing entities including: Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC);
Nebraska Enterprise Fund (NEF); Grow Nebraska, Omaha Small Business Network (OSBN),
and the Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS).
Mayor Jean Stothert participated in the Joint NBDC/REACH “2015 Government Contracting Conference” event in
the month of November.
Facilitate community-based partnerships and collaborative programs
REACH has established partnerships throughout the entire community to provide technical assistance, financial
literacy and economic inclusion. Collaborations comprised of community groups, contractor organizations, A&E
firms, accounting firms, banks and micro-lenders, major construction firms and community technical assistance
providers are all working together on various aspects to increase the number of opportunities for SEBs.
Inclusion of community groups with grass roots connections is paramount to successfully reaching those that are
most in need of assistance.
REACH facilitated a meeting whereby Jacobs Engineering was able to open a plan room at Heartland Workforce
Solutions (HWS). Additionally, REACH, HWS, Metropolitan Community College and Black Men United are all
seeking ways of collaborating to assist ex-offenders in finding work in the construction fields with firms needing
workers and are also assisting them in creating self-employment opportunities through entrepreneurship.
2 firms
received
first time
bonding
Provide credit remediation services for 10 firms
Two firms have worked with REACH to undergo one-on-one credit remediation services. Twelve individuals
engaged in a group Credit Remediation Seminar lead by Mutual of Omaha Bank. Partners in the class included:
Omaha Small Business Network (OSBN), Nebraska Enterprise Fund (NEF) and North Omaha Contractors Alliance
(NOCA). This session, in conjunction with the Micro-Business program of Catholic Charities and the Nebraska
Hispanic Chamber, will also be made available in Spanish.
Facilitate outreach to community groups on an on-going basis to communicate progress, opportunities and to
engage community in SEB enrollment
Fifteen group outreach sessions have been performed – informing participants of REACH services and benefits.
Contractor groups, community and neighborhood organizations, business groups and service providers have all
been engaged.
Assist in facilitating at least three entrepreneurial startups
Six entrepreneurial startups were assisted. This included filing of documentation with the State of Nebraska’s
Secretary of State and The Nebraska Department of Labor, the obtaining of EIN numbers through the IRS,
certification with the City of Omaha’s SEB program and registrations with the City of Omaha’s and OPS’
procurement departments.