Kerri Chamberlin d/b/a Longhorn Restaurant in Kimball, Nebraska

After spending most of her working years in the food service business, Kerri Chamberlin of Kimball, Nebraska had a dream of someday owning and managing her own restaurant. Kerri had worked in a number of the restaurants in Kimball, she knew the community and the people, and most everyone knew Kerri as being the great person she is.

In 2003 Kerri contacted Jerry Terwilliger, the REAP Panhandle Business Specialist for help in developing a business plan and assistance in putting together the needed financing for her project to re-open the Longhorn Restaurant on main street of Kimball, a restaurant that had been there for many, many years.

With help from REAP, Kerri was able to put her business plan together and secure a lease on the building. With REAP’s Direct Loan program, along with assistance from Kimball LB-840 and the Forward Kimball Industry fund, the financial package was put in place to fund the equipment, inventory, and working capital needed to open the restaurant.

Kerri is now going on her third year of operation and is very pleased with the progress the restaurant has made. Kerri said “I would never have been able to own my own business without the assistance of the REAP program. It provided the technical assistance and the financial package assistance I needed. I want to say thank you to a great organization!”