The Big Picture
Over the past five years Seward County has seen significant growth, innovation and strong community partnerships. From major economic investments to creative community projects, the Seward County Chamber & Development Partnership (SCCDP) has played a key role in the county’s progress. In 2023, SCCDP implemented a bold strategic plan focused on four directives—this plan became the foundation for a roadmap for steering the county’s priorities and partnerships toward long-term progress. With that strategic plan in place, SCCDP and its partners turned the priorities into measurable outcomes.
Here’s a high-level overview of how the plan came to life year by year.
2020-2021
Why It Matters: Positioned the community for housing and business growth during the pandemic.
- Petsource by Scoular – $51.2 million investment and 100 new jobs.
- An initial $1.26 million in Rural Workforce Housing Funds secured.
- Tax Increment Financing (TIF) supported projects, including Scooters Coffee, Plex Homes, Rent Works LLC, Levander’s Automotive, Ironhide Construction, Squire Ward’s Public House.
- $4.3 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) grants and $15 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans distributed to Seward County businesses.
- $101,494 Chamber Bucks sold.
- The SCCDP became an Accredited Chamber through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The SCCDP is now only one of six Accredited Chambers in the state of Nebraska and one of less than 200 in the U.S. out of approximately 7,000.
Petsource groundbreaking
2021-2022
Why It Matters: Expanded housing, childcare, and business infrastructure.
- $150,000 secured in childcare grants (SCCDP selected to participate in the Communities for Kids initiative) to expand existing operations or to start new programs to serve more than 200 children in Seward County with affordable, quality childcare.
- Petsource expansion – $75 million investment and 80 new jobs
- Prairie View Addition: 170 lots (largest subdivision in the history of Seward County)
- 14tin & Ana Patricia Boutique retail shops opened (supported by (TIF).
- 950+ kids enjoyed meeting Santa at his house in downtown Seward as part of Christmas Festival activities throughout the holiday season.
- Nebraska Department of Economic Department – Leadership Certified Community Recertification for the Village of Utica (2021).
Seward Christmas Festival
2022-2023
Why It Matters: Focused on workforce and site readiness
- An additional $1.134 million in Rural Workforce Housing Funds secured.
- Broadband expansion with ALLO ($9.2 million broadband grant connecting 518 homes).
- Beck’s Hybrid’s: $20.2 million and 30 new jobs.
- Supported local high school and Concordia University/SCC career fairs, Rising Stars Leadership Development Program launched.
- Career Fairs, Rising Stars Program launched
- Nearly $65,000 sold in Seward County Gift Card program
- The SCCDP President & CEO Jonathan Jank earned designation through examination as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) through the International Development Council (IEDC).
Beck’s Hybrid’s ribbon cutting
2023-2024
Why It Matters: Expanded childcare, tech economy and community engagement
- Joined Rural Innovation Network through Center on Rural Innovation (COR) and launched Seward County Tech Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Strategy.
- Broke ground on Bronco Heights 14-lot subdivision in Utica and a 48-unti apartment in Seward.
- Talk Seward County Podcast grows—965 podcast downloads.
- Successfully launched and ran Seward’s LB840 Economic Development Program renewal campaign (received 81.8% voter support).
- Nebraska Department of Economic Development – Economic Development Certified Community Recertification for the City of Seward (2024).
- Collaborated with the Seward Arts Council and City of Seward to apply for and become a Certified Creative District, which utilizes the arts as an economic driver to support communities in Nebraska.
Bronco Height’s housing subdivision groundbreaking
2024-2025
Why It Matters: Record Setting investments and national recognition.
- DARI Processing: $186.3M and 70 new jobs.
- Seward named 2024 Community of the Year by the Nebraska Diplomats and Nebraska Showcase Community of the Year (2024).
- SCCDP President & CEO Jonathan Jank named 2024 Chamber Professional of the Year and one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developer (2025).
- Nebraska Department of Economic Development – Economic Development Certified Community Recertification for City of Milford (2024).
- Celebrated opening $21.5 million Seward Wellness Center (50,000 square feet).
- The SCCDP led campaign which resulted in 85% voter support to renew Village of Utica’s LB840 Economic Development Program for another 10 years.
Dari Processing groundbreaking
Looking Ahead:
With a strong foundation and a clear vision, Seward County, working with Nebraska Public Power District’s Economic Development team, has put together a new three-year strategic plan (2026-2028) and sets the county up for even greater success.
“Seward County has taken tremendous strides to strategically grow over the past five plus years through generationally transformational community and economic development projects” said Jonathan Jank, President & CEO for the Seward County Chamber & Development Partnership. “None of these successes happens without aligned public and private sector leaders working together for the best interests of the county.”
Communities in Seward County are served electrically by Norris Public Power District and the City of Seward, both wholesale customers of Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), with the exception of the City of Milford, which receives electric service directly from NPPD.
Article written by Sara Groteluschen
Pictures courtesy of Seward County Chamber & Development Partnership