MARCH 30, 2016 (LINCOLN, NEB.)—Today, State of Nebraska officials announced that York, Neb. (pop. 7,878) has earned recertification in the Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community Program.
Business Development Consultant Deb Eggleston, of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, recognized the city during the York County Development Corporation’s annual meeting on Tuesday, March 29th.
The city was originally certified in March 2011.
The program is sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats and administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Designation as a Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community indicates that York is prepared for business growth and ready to meet the needs of companies seeking new business and industrial locations.
Since 2011, collaboration between the City of York and York County Development Corporation has resulted in 36 new businesses and more than 300 jobs in the community. In addition, the city supported 14 business expansion projects that resulted in 119 new jobs.
“The City of York is proud to receive the Economic Development Certified Community recertification. We are proud to be involved in a collaborative effort with York County Development Corporation, and believe this certification shows we are committed to growing our community,” said York City Administrator Tara Vasicek. “We look forward to where our joint efforts take us as we continue to implement our economic development strategic and marketing plans.”
The city’s EDCC recertification commemorates notable community achievements spearheaded by area leaders over the past five years. In 2015, the York County Development Corporation (YCDC) received a “Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award” from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). YCDC received the award in the “general purpose website” category for communities with populations less than 25,000.
In 2014, residents celebrated the grand opening of the city’s Holthus Convention Center; a two year, $8 million project funded through private donations and several local entities. Grant money for the project was generated from the York County Visitors Bureau, the York Community Foundation, and the Community Civic Convention Center. Funding for the building’s $1.6 million infrastructure and interior furnishing was provided by the City of York.
“Members of this forward-thinking community continue to show leadership and creativity to pioneer exciting economic projects, such as the Holthus Convention Center,” said Nebraska Diplomats President Dean Hart. “Strong partnerships between city and community entities are great examples of the talent and teamwork necessary when it comes to area growth and development.”
York-area leaders also continue to focus on economic promotion, education and industry training in an effort to grow economic opportunities for the next generation. This past week, YCDC partnered with other economic development organizations and Chambers of Commerce in York, Fillmore and Hamilton counties to host the third annual Tri-County Job Fair/Career Day. The event drew 56 businesses, four colleges, and 245, 9-12 grade students from 10 area high schools. The event also drew 220 job seekers.
Recently, the community of York was selected as one of Southeast Community College’s Regional Learning Center sites. The York center will include an open computer lab and industry training area, and was one of six locations selected in the Southeast Community College 15-county region.
In its latest economic development efforts, the City of York has partnered with YCDC to market a local site for the development of advanced manufacturing, metal fabrication, and warehouse and distribution for companies looking for rail access. The city purchased the 34-acre property in the summer of 2015.
YCDC Board President Kelly Kadavy emphasized the importance of strong, intercommunity relationships to create economic opportunities for the City of York, and their significant roles in the city’s EDCC recertification.
“This recertification process demonstrated commitment from the City and YCDC Board to the retention and expansion of existing businesses, development of start-ups, recruitment of targeted industries, and enhancing the overall community,” Kadavy said. “York would not have received this certification without significant investment from the City, and we thank them for their partnership in economic development.”
Contact Lynn Kohout at 402-440-2559, or lynn.kohout@nebraska.gov, or visit http://www.neded.org/economic-development-certified-community for additional information on the Economic Development Certified Community Program.