“Programs like MEDC’s Micro-Enterprise Loan Program matter deeply in rural communities. For many entrepreneurs, navigating funding options can feel overwhelming, especially as a first-time business owner. Having local support, face-to-face guidance, and access to flexible funding can make all the difference.”
Emily Young
Photo Captions:
Left: Emily Young, PT, DPT, CLC, PCES
Founder/Physical Therapist
Top: Elevate Wellness Physical Therapy Staff
Bottom: Elevate Wellness Team
When Emily Young opened Elevate Wellness nearly five years ago, she wasn’t just launching a business—she was filling a gap in health and wellness services for southwest Nebraska and the surrounding region.
Upon relocating to McCook, Emily recognized that access to comprehensive, specialized care, particularly women’s healthcare and physical therapy, was limited in the area. What began as a physical therapy practice has since evolved into a full-service health and wellness facility offering physical therapy, chiropractic care, functional medicine, massage therapy, speech therapy, Pilates, yoga, group exercise classes, personal training, and more. Today, Elevate Wellness serves patients from a 60-mile radius, drawing clients from southwest Nebraska, northeast Colorado, and northwest Kansas. “This model works here because McCook is truly the hub of this region. Our location allows us a wider reach than we may be able to capture in a community like Holdrege for example.” – Emily
A key part of Elevate Wellness’s success lies in its “better together” philosophy. The facility has become a collaborative hub for like-minded professionals—many of whom are McCook natives passionate about serving their community.
Over the past few years, as demand for services grew, lack of physical space became the biggest barrier to continued expansion. The former location offered a great starting place but also experienced limited visibility, accessibility, and the ability to add new providers and equipment. Emily and her family made the decision to invest deeply in McCook by constructing a new, purpose-built health and wellness facility. A true community effort driven by a shared belief in McCook’s future, much of the labor was completed by family and friends volunteering evenings and weekends.
Local partnerships played a vital role in turning that vision into reality. Emily initially worked with the Nebraska Business Development Center to develop her business plan and refine the concept. As plans for expansion took shape, local financing helped move the project forward. McCook Economic Development Corporation provided guidance on available tools, including assistance with a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) application and support through MEDC’s Micro-Enterprise Loan Program. The micro-enterprise loan helped fund a portion of the equipment needed to expand services and increase capacity. Additional support came through Emily’s participation in the Hormel Business Competition, where awarded funds helped purchase even more equipment. Together, these resources created a strong financial foundation for sustainable growth.
Emily encourages other small business owners to explore programs like this. The MEDC’s focus on helping businesses succeed—and connecting them to the right tools and resources—helps ensure that McCook continues to grow and thrive.
“They want all businesses to succeed. Having someone local who understands the community and can guide you through the process is invaluable.” – Emily Young
Reflecting on the impact of the micro-enterprise loan, Emily describes it as “one piece of the puzzle”—providing needed additional capital and support that allowed Elevate Wellness to expand equipment and infrastructure, ultimately increasing revenue and service capacity.
In February, 2026, Elevate Wellness will celebrate five years serving McCook and Southwest Nebraska. As Emily puts it, “We are proud and honored to serve the people of this region. We don’t take lightly that people trust us with their health. Elevate would not exist without the support of other small businesses and the encouragement of this community.”
Follow Elevate Wellness on social media to stay up to date with service offerings and new fitness programming!
The intent of the Micro-Enterprise Loan Program is to support Nebraska-based businesses in rural and urban communities by fostering business growth, creating higher-paying jobs, and expanding quality employment opportunities. Program funds are made possible through a grant awarded by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
