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Economic Development Week (EDW), May 6 - 10, 2024, is a time to recognize the work that economic development organizations and professionals do in their communities. This acknowledgment has been a globally celebrated event since 2016.Executive Director Carley Bruning and Community Coordinator Paige Hansen are a powerful team that makes...
TCEDA Thanks Its Youth
Apr 25 2024April is National Volunteer Month. Whether a person is volunteering or interning, the one thing in common is effort being donated for a greater purpose. Volunteers offer their time and labor of love to further a cause or strengthen a community, like firefighters in rural communities and candy stripers at...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service today announced it is issuing more than $232 million to support public schools, roads and other municipal services through the agency’s Secure Rural Schools program. As the Biden-Harris administration invests in ways for forests to generate more economic opportunity in rural areas, it...
Social media emerges as a vibrant stage for connection, a realm where innovative ideas thrive, and communities unite. For economic developers, it offers a fertile ground not just for engagement but for inspiring a collective movement toward growth and prosperity. The challenge, however, lies in cutting through the noise, capturing...
Digital building begins on Road P
Apr 3 2024The digital bridge building in Thayer County has begun as Glenwood Telecommunications held a formal ribbon cutting ceremony March 28 at Randy and Becky Hergott’s property on Road P, where the project will see about 50 miles of underground fiber optic line and eventually serve approximately 54 residents.“It’s a significant...
Retail professionals who think it’s good to learn a new word every day can make this add to their vocabularies: “eatertainment.”Yes. “Eatertainment.”That clever combination was recently passed along by Shawn Massey, partner and executive vice president of The Shopping Center Group, Memphis, Tenn. He said the main focus of retailers...
In the dynamic world of tourism, understanding and catering to diverse traveler segments stands at the heart of destination success. The potential audiences for your destination are vast and varied, contingent on the unique attractions and experiences your location provides. For the purpose of this discussion, we’re choosing to hone...
Site Selection Evolves
Mar 25 2024The Corporate Survey results shed light on the evolving landscape of site selection priorities. I was not surprised to see that workforce criteria continue to emerge as the top consideration. It correctly reflects how the current demographic crisis is leading to an enduring strategic focus on talent acquisition and retention...
BEATRICE – Preliminary approval has been given for a new agriculture business….a small mill that would process white sorghum into flour that is gluten-free.The Gage County Planning Commission, on a 7-0 vote, has recommended county approval of the special use permit sought by Brad Dusenbery and Dusenbery Farms. The operation...
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) is now accepting applications for a specific grant opportunity through the Site and Building Development Fund (SBDF). The opportunity is open to a city of the second class that is served by two first-class railroads, is within fifteen miles of two state borders,...
BEATRICE – Economic developers face a different set of challenges from twenty years ago, as they try to help their communities grow.Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, K.C. Belitz told members of Gage County Growth Enterprise that some new priorities are appearing in Nebraska."Twenty years ago we would...
Gov. Pillen Announces SEBT “Nebraska Solution”
Feb 13 2024LINCOLN, NE – Surrounded by more than 20 state senators in the Warner Chamber at the State Capitol, Governor Jim Pillen touted a “Nebraska solution” that will allow the state to take advantage of the federally-funded Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT) program, while ensuring that additional needs of children and...
Spring Creek Model Trains Wins TCEDA’s “Thriving in Thayer County” award 2024Jan 29, 2024 Thayer County Economic Development Alliance is excited to announce this year’s “Thriving in Thayer County” awardee: Spring Creek Model Trains from Deshler. Spring Creek Model Trains was started in 2000 as a hobby business for David and his...
Childcare Shortages in the United States: A Growing Crisis with Far-Reaching Consequences
Feb 5 2024Childcare shortages in communities across the United States have reached critical levels, leaving families struggling to secure affordable and quality care for their children as they attempt to earn a living and contribute to economic development. This article delves into the depth of the issue, examining the shortage of childcare...
Sometimes economic development projects happen over the course of a few months. Other times it can take years for a project to come to fruition. With the recent announcement about a data center coming to Aurora, I want to shed light on what it looks like when a project can...
State of the States 2024
Jan 2 2024Among the themes to emerge across the 50 state legislatures and governor’s offices over the past year is how to attract funding from a family of major federal programs toting hundreds of billions of dollars in funds. The various challenges and grants follow closely behind Recovery Act funds for which...
Thank You, Thayer County!
Dec 22 2023Dear Residents of Thayer County,As we close out 2023, Thayer County Economic Development Alliance (TCEDA) would like to thank you for shopping locally, donating, and supporting our efforts throughout the year. Because of you, local businesses continue to flourish into the new year. Because of you, our neighbors remain employed...
This new cement could become America’s next big bumper crop and help save the world as we know it
Dec 10 2023The Bio-Block Spiral is a small, short wall, but it may be a bulwark against a giant threat: climate change. The curved, mud-colored structure is part of the current Chicago Architecture Biennial, entitled “Rehearsing the Future.” Unlike the artists’ installations filling the city’s downtown exhibit halls, the Bio-Block Spiral rises...
DED Announces Awards under Third Application Cycle of the Pandemic Relief Housing Program
Dec 6 2023The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded $2,000,000 to two applicants under the third and final funding cycle of the Pandemic Relief Housing Program. The subrecipients include Kearney Community Sustainable Housing and Southeast Nebraska Affordable Housing Council.The Pandemic Relief Housing Program was established by Legislative Bill (LB) 1014...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Farah Ahmad today announced that USDA is strengthening its partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a network of 25 organizations to help people in rural and underserved communities access affordable, modern and safe wastewater infrastructure.The actions...
Big Give Thayer County Is Back
Nov 21 2023Nothing says, “togetherness,” better than community involvement, and Thayer County is known for its strong community spirit. We rise together by working together.Big Give Thayer County is back! Last year was such a success bringing in over $90k. Each donation was recycled back into the community in various ways. Let’s...
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2023 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced next steps in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s efforts to bolster U.S. agricultural trade, including the department’s planned trade missions for 2024 and the opening of a public comment period for the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). These...
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced an investment of $27.9 million across 45 organizations that teach and train beginning farmers and ranchers, including programs for U.S. veterans who are entering into agricultural careers and starting new farming businesses.“The next...
Housing Projects Underway in Thayer County
Friday, August 25th
TCEDA is pleased to announce some big steps forward on our housing initiatives. On July 31st, the bidding process for TCEDA’s first three workforce housing house projects officially closed. The board is pleased to announce that the contractor...