Fisher reflects on first year as NBDC director

Despite population declines and generational transitions in the region, Fisher sees these changes as a turning point.

“We’re reaching a flexion point,” he said. “While our communities are shrinking, especially with Baby Boomers retiring and passing on, that also creates opportunities, such as helping transition businesses and attracting new residents to the Good Life.”

Fisher, an assistant business professor, said the NBDC office at CSC saw a clear increase in activity in 2024, assisting 59 clients, compared to a historical average of about 32. The upward trend continues, with 30 already served in the first half of 2025. Much of that growth stemmed from support provided to Grow Nebraska grant applicants.

“We had to get creative and lean into technology to keep up,” Fisher said. “Our team builds detailed business plans, financial projections, and market analyses. These tools help entrepreneurs decide whether to move forward with their ventures.”

Fisher, a former attorney with two decades of experience supporting business owners, emphasized that successful entrepreneurs share a few key traits.

“They’re patient, tough, and knowledgeable. But the best ones keep their eye on two things—profit margins and cash flow,” he said. “You can have a profitable business and still fail without enough cash to pay employees.”

Graduate assistant April Sah has played an important role in the center. Fisher said an early coaching moment with Sah demonstrated the value of encouraging students to embrace imperfection during skill development.

He shared advice with her based on an old saying, with a twist at the end.

“‘If a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing poorly.’ That gave her permission to try, iterate, and improve,” he said.

Fisher added that experiential learning like Sah is gaining in the center is vital for student growth and mirrors the risks entrepreneurs face daily.

Support from the University of Nebraska at Omaha has also been key. The NBDC system began in Nebraska before the federal Small Business Development Center network was established nationwide. UNO houses the statewide office and provides valuable tools and resources, including technology incubators, a database with more than 900 small business resources, and consultants with Spanish language capabilities.

At the local level, Fisher said one of the biggest long-term challenges is housing. From workforce housing to affordable and middle-income units, the lack of availability affects business recruitment and retention.

“Chadron is doing a great job attracting tourists, which is how people often first discover a community,” he said. “But if they want to move here, we must have places for them to live.”