News and Events

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Kearney Among First to Hear Blueprint Nebraska Report

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Kearney - Attendees of the NEBRASKA Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s annual fall forums will be among the first NEBRASKA residents to get an in-person briefing on the results of the BLUEPRINT NEBRASKA strategic planning process. Full Article Here

Nebraska Faces Workforce Challenges

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Nebraska has more jobs available than people qualified to fill them. Businesses and state government are trying to find solutions to attract and keep more workers in Nebraska. Full Article Here

Farm Bureau Disaster Relief Fund Apps End 6/21/19

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Nebraska Farm Bureau established a Disaster Relief Fund at the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation to provide emergency aid to Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and rural communities affected by the March 2019 storms and flooding. Applications end soon: Second Round Deadline: June 21, 2019 (All applications will be reviewed after the June 21 deadline). Application info availale here

Hastings - Ground broken for workforce housing projects

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Hastings - Several dozen people were on hand for the official groundbreaking for the Pioneer Trail Flats 84-unit apartment complex and Osborne View Estates residential townhouses — both within the North Park Commons 93-acre footprint in north Hastings. Article continues here

NP-Lincoln Co. housing study recognized

Tuesday, April 02, 2019

The Nebraska Chapter of the American Planning Association gave its 2019 Best Practice Award to the recently completed North Platte-Lincoln County housing study at its annual banquet March 7 in Kearney. Full Article Available Here

MCC Teams up with Land Bank to Build Homes

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Omaha - A partnership among industry, education, government and nonprofit entities hopes to transform the North 30th Street corridor by fostering development one new home at time. Full Article Here

Workforce Development Director Has Vision for City

Friday, March 01, 2019

Norfolk - Gabriel Steinmeyer sees lot of potential in Norfolk. Steinmeyer was named the workforce development director for the city in December and has wealth of ideas to keep the city moving forward. Full Article Link Here

Grants Ease Housing Need

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Wakefield - A shortage of workforce housing is one of the main obstacles to economic growth in Nebraskas rural communities. Although there is no quick solution, some communities are working to address the problem through an incentive program from the state. Full Article Here

Gov. Ricketts Cuts Ribbon on Rural Workforce Housing in Wakefield

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

WAKEFIELD – On Thursday, Governor Pete Ricketts visited the city of Wakefield to cut the ribbon on one of the earliest projects to be completed under Nebraska’s Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act (LB518). To read the full press release - click here

Blueprint Nebraska Public Discussions: Opportunity to Provide Input

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

On Wednesday, December 19, we have an exciting opportunity for you to attend/participate in a public town hall that will influence the future of Nebraska – our future. The town hall is a continuation of Blueprint Nebraska’s effort to engage business leaders and the public. Working to create a new standard of sustainable economic prosperity for all Nebraskans, Blueprint Nebraska is a new, citizen-led, statewide economic development initiative that seeks to establish a comprehensive and pro-active plan to stimulate the state’s economic growth, competitiveness and prosperity, while building on Nebraska’s numerous strengths. On December 19, Lance Fritz, CEO of Union Pacifi...

Churches are helping solve the affordable housing crisis

Monday, November 26, 2018

CBS Saturday Morning story aired 11/24/18

State in Need of Skilled Workers

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Scottsbluff - One of the greatest challenges facing the state of Nebraska is the lack of people. Particularly, the lack of skilled workers needed to fill the trades and mid-level jobs from Omaha and Lincoln to Scottsbluff and Alliance. The out-migration of people in Nebraska that occurred after the farm crisis of the 1980s disseminated rural communities, and “horseshoed” around population centers in the eastern third of the state. Full Article Here

Workforce Housing Projects Moving Forward

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

The details of three workforce housing projects in Columbus are formalizing ahead of their spring 2019 projected construction start. NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska's Board of Directors recently approved special loan funds to be used on projects that will result in building a couple hundred new rental options and homs for sale in the city. To read the full article from the Columbus Telegram click here

Schuyler Community Development receives grant for housing development

Thursday, May 17, 2018

SCHUYLER – Schuyler Community Development will jump-start its housing development projects after recently receiving an $810,000 grant from the new Nebraska Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act (LB518). View full article Original source website: Schuyler Sun

Allocation of LB 518 Match Program Funds Announced

Tuesday, May 01, 2018

The Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) is pleased to announce that the communities listed below have been selected to receive an allocation of match funds from the NIFA LB 518 Match Program and an award of funds from the Rural Workforce Housing Fund (RWHF) administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED). NIFA reserves the right to adjust the actual amount of Match Funds provided to the Recipient based upon the actual amount of RWHF funds awarded to the Recipient by DED and the final amount of any local community matching funds. Central Nebraska Economic Development, Inc. Economic Development Council o...

Gov. Ricketts, Economic Development Announce Rural Workforce Housing Fund Recipients

Tuesday, May 01, 2018

LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) announced the first grants from a new rural workforce housing program that was recently established. Following a recently-concluded grant application period, the Nebraska Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act (LB518) is poised to support rural communities in their efforts to attract and retain a skilled, robust labor force. Read the media release here

City council mulls workforce housing

Tuesday, March 06, 2018

The Beatrice City Council considered fronting $250,000 to invest in workforce housing on Monday night. View full article Original source website: Beatrice Daily Sun article online

Need for Workforce Housing Seen Not Only in Dodge County but Statewide

Monday, January 15, 2018

FREMONT – A recent Nebraska Chamber of Commerce survey has shown a lack of workforce housing to be a major concern in the entire state. Recently the City of Fremont, Dodge County, and other local organizations put together a housing study to gather information and help determine if there is a need for housing in the county. The study, which was presented to the public at an open meeting, determined there is already a need for more housing in the whole county, especially Fremont. And with existing businesses expanding and Lincoln Premium Poultry’s plant being constructed, the need is expected t...

Nebraska Establishes Match Program Incentivizing Rural Workforce Housing

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

The Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) Board of Directors has authorized the establishment of the LB 518 Match Program (“LBMP”) within the Nebraska Opportunity Fund (“NOF”) for purposes of promoting, developing, implementing and financing rural workforce housing by providing match funds to applicants making applications to the Rural Workforce Housing Fund (“RWHF”) administered by the Department of Economic Development (“DED”). View full article Original source website: National Housing & Rehabilitation Association