Nicholas Fisher, JD/MBA, LL.M., has been named the new Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) center director for the Northern Panhandle region. He is accepting appointments for free business consulting services to any area business owner or aspiring entrepreneur in Box Butte, Dawes, Sheridan, and Sioux counties.
Located at Chadron State College but also open for virtual appointments, Fisher can provide support for key business needs such as business plan creation, market research, financial projections, expansion implementation, or succession planning, all at no cost.
Fisher is a Chadron native bringing a unique professional background to the role. He graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2008. In 2009, he attended the prestigious Levine School of Law at the University of Florida to receive his L.L.M. in International Taxation. He opened his own practice representing small businesses in tax and regulatory matters in 2009 in Everett, Washington.
Fisher has argued in front of the U.S. Tax Court, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division 1, and the Washington State Supreme Court.
He returned to Chadron, Neb., in 2021 to teach in the M.B.A. program at Chadron State College and contribute to the development of its healthcare management focus area. Nicholas is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Chadron Community Hospital and teaches business law and ethics.
“I love the Panhandle, and Chadron in particular,” says Fisher. “I think the region sits at the crux of a very difficult time, but also a very exciting one. We are seeing my parent’s generation retire, and they will leave a tremendous gap – nearly 15% of the workforce – by 2030. I hope my work in the NBDC and Chadron State College will help fill some of those holes with businesses and entrepreneurs that look like those of my dad and grandfather, providing employment opportunities in the region.”
His role is part of NBDC’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program. The Small Business Development Center program is one of four NBDC programs that support Nebraska entrepreneurs in a variety of ways. In 2023, NBDC consultants served more than 2,000 Nebraskans, leading to an impact of $623.3 million to the Nebraska economy through job creation, business investments, sales increases, and government contract awards. NBDC is a center of the University of Nebraska at Omaha with cooperative agreements with other partners across the state, including Chadron State College.
“Having someone with Nicholas’s background in the SBDC Center Director role is such an asset to the Chadron community,” said Tony Schultz, NBDC’s SBDC State Director. “He knows the area incredibly well, and he brings expertise and wisdom to the role that will help businesses in the area thrive. He will be a great community partner.”
NBDC’s services are provided at no-cost and consultants are available for in-person or virtual meetings. Business owners or entrepreneurs interested in NBDC’s services can learn more at nbdc.unomaha.edu. Interested individuals can schedule an appointment with Fisher by reaching out to nbdc@csc.edu.