News
Keep up with all the recent happenings!
York County Development Corporation Receives two 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Awards! A Gold Award and a Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council
York County Development Corporation (YCDC) recently received two 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The Gold award was bestowed for the organization’s work in the Innovative Financing category for...
2027 Site Readiness Assistance Program Webinar Announced
Nebraska Public Power District will once again be offering the Site Readiness Assistance Program grants to help communities bring shovel ready sites to market. Join us for the informational webinar on: Wednesday, September 16th, 2026, at 10:00AM. We will discuss the...
iHub Open Its Doors in Downtown Norfolk
Northeast Community College recently celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of its new IHub, located at 707 W. Norfolk Avenue, Norfolk, Nebraska. The iHub is a place where people of all ages can come to try new things, learn new skills, and get hands-on...
Free Day Popcorn Celebrates with Ribbon Cutting
Free Day Popcorn recently celebrated an exciting step forward with a ribbon cutting event for its new location on the edge of town in Byron that features a climate-controlled warehouse and storefront. The celebration highlighted the growth of a locally owned business...
Nebraska Workforce Retention and Attraction Grant Application Now Open
Lincoln, NE– Applications are now being accepted for the Nebraska Workforce Retention and Attraction Grant through the Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL). This new grant program, established under LB 1165, Section 28 of the Grow the Good Life Act, is designed to help...
Nebraska communities aim to launch substitute network for childcare as staffing shortages continue
By Jolie Peal, Reporter Nebraska Public Media News In an effort to address staffing shortages in childcare, several communities hope to start a regional substitute network in Nebraska. Tracy Gordon, executive director of the Nebraska Association for the...
TCEDA Executive Director Carley Bruning Named NEDA Professional of the Year
KEARNEY, Neb. – Carley Bruning of Thayer County was named the Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA) Local Professional of the Year on June 11 during the organization’s annual conference in Kearney. Bruning serves as the executive director of the Thayer...
NEDA’s 53rd Annual Conference Brings Economic Developers Together in Kearney
Three‑day event highlights statewide collaboration, professional development and industry recognition KEARNEY, Neb. — The Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA) hosted its 53rd annual conference in Kearney June 10–12, drawing more than 160...
NPPD Economic Developer Brian Vasa Named NEDA Professional of the Year
KEARNEY, Neb. – Brian Vasa of Ogallala was named the Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA) Professional of the Year in the service provider category on June 11 during the association’s annual conference in Kearney. Vasa is a senior economic...
Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast Highlights Rural Community Stories
The Growing Small Nebraska Podcast Nebraska (GSTN) Podcast is on a mission to spotlight the people and places driving rural community growth across Nebraska. Hosted by Sheila Jenkinson—a 20+ year radio veteran and 2026 Nebraska Tourism Industry “Friend of Tourism”...
Kinder Academy Announces Major Expansion Project in Thayer County
Bruning Early Education Nonprofit, Inc. (BEEN) dba Kinder Academy fills a critical need for high-quality early childhood education in Northern Thayer County. With no other licensed centers in the Bruning-Davenport Unified School District and very limited in-home...
Registration open for the 2026 Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference
Registration Open: Thriving Children, Families & Communities Conference Registration is now open for the 2026 Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference, a statewide event bringing together leaders from across Nebraska to tackle issues impacting...
Nebraska’s Latest Census Data Highlights a Decade of Steady Growth and Emerging Strengths
Written by: Tricia Moyer, Economic Development Research Specialist The newest release of U.S. Census Bureau data offers an encouraging look at Nebraska’s demographic and economic trajectory over the past decade. With fresh insights into population trends,...
Southeast Community College Invests in Nebraska’s Workforce, Breaks Ground on Three Facilities
Southeast Community College broke ground on three major facilities this spring on its Beatrice, Lincoln, and Milford campuses. These facilities reflect SCC’s commitment to preparing Nebraska’s workforce demand while keeping up with extraordinary enrollment growth. In...
Jonathan Jank Joins NPPD’s Economic Development Team
We are pleased to welcome Jonathan Jank to Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) as an Economic Development Consultant. Jonathan holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Concordia University and brings a strong background in business and community...