BEATRICE, NE – Beatrice business selected as one of 98 national grant recipients in response to COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Street Beatrice and the Nebraska Main Street Network are proud to announce that Community Players in Beatrice has received $15,000 in funding through the latest round of the HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program.

The grant, part of Main Street America’s Hartbeat of Main Street Grant Program was sponsored by The Hartford. Community Players was one of 31 small businesses selected in the second round of the grant program which will distribute more than $1.2 million to 98 businesses in Main Street communities in the US, and is the only Nebraska business selected to receive grant funding.

            “Keeping our patrons, volunteers, and employees safe while expanding our potential impact will be possible thanks to this grant. We are thrilled the theater has been recognized with this funding,” Jamie Ulmer, managing artistic director, said.

            The grant award will be used to pay for COVID-19 safety measures including air scrubbers and touchless fixtures in public restrooms, video equipment for filming and streaming shows, and accessibility upgrades to the facility.

            “The Pandemic continues to be a major challenge to our small businesses; it is rewarding to see Community Players and Beatrice awarded this grant, it was well deserved.  It also serves as a reminder that our small businesses need our support, let’s challenge ourselves to support local shops during these difficult winter months so they can continue on and recover.” said the Main Street Beatrice Executive Director, Michael Sothan.

Community Players produces a variety of entertainment and educational programming features performers from throughout Southeast Nebraska. Annually the organization’s programming brings more than 7,000 patrons to Beatrice from more than 30 different communities.

            “This grant also recognizes the invaluable impact cultural institutions and small businesses make in our communities and local economies. Investing in our sustainability will be a key component of the post-pandemic recovery and rediscovery of our communities,” Ulmer said.

            Thousands of businesses from across the country applied for funding. Grants awards ranged between $5,000 and $15,000.

            “As Main Street businesses across the state continue to face the challenges brought on by COVID-19, this is the type of support that makes a difference,” said Elizabeth Chase, Executive Director of the Nebraska Main Street Network. “We are grateful to the National Main Street Center and The Hartford for recognizing the needs of businesses in Nebraska Main Street communities by providing this funding to Community Players in Beatrice.”

            Grant proposals were judged based on: feasibility; the extent to which the grant will help address an acute business need or help a business owner implement innovative solutions to address COVID-19-related challenges; opportunity for other businesses to learn from work; how the grant would help improve the viability of business; the business’s commitment to giving back to their community and/or community engagement; and strength of letters of recommendation and supporting documents.

            For more information and complete list of grantees, visit www.mainstreet.org.

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The Nebraska Main Street Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and Main Street America™ Coordinating Program that provides programming and resources to Nebraska communities committed to creating vibrant and attractive business districts using a comprehensive economic development approach. For more information about the Nebraska Main Street Network, visit www.nebraskamainstreet.org.

Main Street Beatrice is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization set on revitalizing Beatrice from city’s core, the downtown, and radiating out using historic preservation to foster healthy economic growth of the downtown and by focusing on generating positive and constructive interactions between businesses, city officials, Beatrice residents and visiting consumers. For more information about Main Street Beatrice, visit www.mainstreetbeatrice.org.

Community Players, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) arts organization that engages and enriches Southeast Nebraska through the arts by deepening connections, utilizing inclusive programming, and producing quality live theatre. For more information about Community Players, Inc., visit www.beatricecommunityplayers.com

Main Street America is a program of the National Main Street Center, which has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for 40 years. Today, its network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. The organization is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information about Main Street America, visit www.mainstreet.org.

For more details please visit Beatrice Community Players website article

We understand that economic burdens from COVID-19 have been mounting for some of our business community and that the next couple of months do not necessarily promise to be better.

We are happy to hear that many businesses are doing well but for those that are struggling or are looking to better adapt to the Covid-19 challenges we want to do our part to directly help.

We are now offering a flexible mini-grant of up to $500 per award to help small businesses with marketing and digital development expenses incurred in December 2020, January and/or February 2021. The mini-grant is able to be offered thanks to community support and Covid-relief grants Main Street Beatrice received this year. Grants will be between $250-$500 each dependent on need and available funds.

Main Street Beatrice will provide the grant only to small businesses within the designated Main Street district (see map below) with priority given to our Contributing Partners and also our downtown Dining and Entertainment sector (example: theaters, restaurants, bars, event venues). Funds are limited and we understand that we may not be able to meet all requests.

The purpose of the grants are to:

1) Help provide a marketing opportunity to reach customers and communicate to them what steps or changes have been implemented to make a safe experience for them and what opportunities exist with our downtown shops. This can be digital, radio, paper, direct mailing, etc.
and/or
2) For our non-dining and entertainment sector we want to focus on applications that help a business develop or further develop their online presence (website, social media, online shopping/order, Google optimization, etc.) and/or delivery/curbside services. If you have already invested in a website, online sales platform, delivery, etc. since March 16th, 2020 those expenses can be considered as well.

Main Street Beatrice staff are always available to help you discuss business topics such as marketing and digital improvements. Call us, we would be happy to assist you, 402-223-3244.

Main Street Beatrice plans to launch a marketing campaign aimed at increasing local shopping and dining in the upcoming months, pushing a message around the need to support local businesses, and that it can/should be done so safely.

More details on the grant are in the application document below.

Printable or Digitally Fillable Application Form Can Be Found Here

The parade will be different this year due to Covid-19 but you can still get out and enjoy the event! This year it’s a reverse parade, swing by in the warmth of your own vehicle on 5th Street downtown from 5:30-7:30 pm.

For more details please visit http://nebraska.beatricechamber.com/events/details/6th-annual-holiday-lighted-parade-18381

Saturday, November 28th 2020 is Small Business Saturday – it serves as our reminder to make local a priority, ESPECIALLY in a year of Covid!

No this day is not always about Big Sales (there are a few yes) but its more about celebrating community and what small businesses bring that we can all enjoy. This year we Challenge you to be part of the difference to our small business community that has been disrupted by Covid-19. Shop Local, Dine in or order take out but please do so safely. Make it a safe outing for you, for our shops, and others. We Can Do This Together!

For more details and to follow updates from shops please visit our Facebook page event https://www.facebook.com/events/206463214194263

New Health Protocols for the City of Beatrice

>> On November 17, 2020 the Beatrice Board of Health passed a motion to adopt a mask mandate for all indoor public facilities within the city limits of Beatrice; that patrons at bars and restaurants be required to be seated and limited to parties of eight (8) or less, with no bar seating and no gaming allowed, and that while actively eating and drinking, no mask be required.  Said mandate be effective immediately until December 15, 2020.

Each of us play an important part of slowing the spread of COVID-19. Together, we can keep our hospitals from being overrun, keep our kids in school as long as possible, and keep our city open for business.

Questions regarding Beatrice’s Health Protocols should be directed to Police Chief Lang at (402) 223-4080.

For more information please visit the following links:

City of Beatrice Announcment Page

Beatrice Daily Sun – Mandate Passed in Beatrice

Beatrice Daily Sun – Can I be cited?

News Channel Nebraska – Mask Mandate Passed

News Channel Nebraska – City sees pushback and support on new mandate

Here is a printable flyer for your door