OGALLALA -- Keith County E3 invited the community to a celebration Wednesday, March 27.

The afternoon event held at Second Chapter Brewing was an opportunity to network, and to recognize the achievements so far by E3. Mary Wilson, executive director at Keith County Area Development, explained E3's role in community development.

"E3 is energizing our entrepreneurial ecosystem, and here in Keith County, we've really been focused on getting our quote-unquote Navigator or Community Development Coordinator Molly Jeffries up and running with the best tools and resources to offer our small businesses here in Keith County," she said.

Wilson said the E3 program is about providing small businesses the support and resources to succeed.

Jeffries, also with Keith County Area Development, said she has been busy. 

"We have been fortunate to work with Grow Nebraska to bring in grant funds four our Keith County small businesses. So far, we've been able to bring in $258,000 worth of grant funds," Jeffries said.

She said the grants are for 12 small businesses that are start-up enterprises.

"But there's other things that we do. We connect our small businesses to resources, mentorships if needed, and whatever kinds of things that they need," she said.

Wilson and Jeffries can be reached at Keith County Area Development.