MAY 19, 2015 (LINCOLN, NEB.)—Minden, Neb. (pop.2,986) has earned designation in the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Certified Leadership Community Program. It is the eighth community to earn certification, joining Tecumseh, Madison, Central City, Neligh, Cambridge, Pender and Superior.
“‘Becoming a Leadership Community has been a goal for the City for several years now and we couldn’t be more excited to achieve such an honor,” said Minden City Administrator Matt Cederburg. “It will serve as a catalyst for the City to continue to push forward to enhance and improve the economic viability within the community.”
Highlights for the City of Minden include:
• In 2014, the City was awarded $605,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding to help with the expansion of Royal Engineered Composites, Inc., creating 30 new full-time jobs.
• During the past year, Minden has provided all necessary infrastructure upgrades, including sewer and electricity, for commercial growth and new business attraction.
• During the past year, the City has worked on two Tax Increment Financing projects, providing a way to eliminate blighted and substandard areas within city limits.
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development created the program in 2011 with the purpose of helping smaller Nebraska communities deal head-on with challenges and change. Communities must demonstrate having a solid planning and implementation process in place. Communities also must actively take advantage of technology, or be willing to learn to meet program objectives.
Applicant communities are evaluated in:
• Community involvement
• Strategic planning
• Community planning and zoning
• Business and technology development
• Incentives and implementation
For information about Minden’s ongoing efforts, contact Matt Cederburg at 308-832-1820, or mcederburg@mindennebraska.org
For information about the Certified Leadership Development Community Program, contact Kelly Gewecke at 308-627-3151, kelly.gewecke@nebraska.gov, or visit http://neded.org/community/community-info/community-improvement/leadership-community