Nebraska Department of Economic Development

DED is grateful to support the Arbor Day Foundation with $1.5 million of matching funds for improvements at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City. The funds, awarded through the state’s Shovel-Ready Capital Project program, are helping to expand parking so that the historic property can accommodate more visitors. Additionally, the funds are assisting with renovation of the Window on the World’s Trees exhibit at Arbor Day Farm, which showcases the Foundation’s global reforestation and conservation work. https://lnkd.in/gUTdDNq3

We are excited to celebrate Agrifac’s grand opening in the U.S.! Yesterday, Deputy Director Joe Fox welcomed the Dutch company to the Good Life in Seward. Agrifac’s choice of Nebraska reaffirms our global leadership in farming innovation. Best wishes to Agrifac on the new venture! Agrifac Machinery B.V.

From our home in the Heartland, Nebraska touches every corner of the globe. -- We export food, feed, and fuel across the planet. -- We’re a hub for multinational biomanufacturers.  -- Our AgTech, SportsTech, and InsurTech powers commerce worldwide. Interested in connecting with the Nebraska leaders shaping international industry? Register here to join us for the 2024 Learn International Nebraska Webinar! https://lnkd.in/gx97YhuE

The Nebraska Commission on Housing and Homelessness (NCHH) has announced the recipients of the 2024 Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) Award. The annual award was established in 2018 to recognize organizations and projects that have leveraged Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Funds to create high-quality, affordable housing. https://lnkd.in/eUif7Mx8

Thank you to Meta for welcoming our DED team for a tour of the Sarpy Data Center! Enjoyed seeing the facility and fully approve the choice of décor!

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is the largest business career and technical student organization in the world. Nebraska FBLA served over 4,000 members in 170 chapters this year. The annual Nebraska FBLA State Leadership Conference was held in Kearney, April 11-13. Over 1,700 Nebraska middle and high school students attended the conference, competing in 95 events. Top qualifiers will compete at the National FBLA competition in June. DED field staff Kelly Gewecke, Ashley Rice-Gerlach and Sheryl Hiatt served as judges for the conference. It’s inspiring to see the talent and potential of Nebraska’s youth! Future Business Leaders of America, Inc. (FBLA)

DED teammates joined with Habitat for Humanity Omaha staff, community partners, and community members to celebrate a groundbreaking in Blair on Thursday, April 18th. The ceremony marked the start of new housing construction in the West Valley Development. The project will expand affordable homeownership opportunities in Blair. The West Valley Development will provide 30 new single-family units, five of which are funded through the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF). The Department is investing $750,000 from the NATHF for the new home construction, and Habitat for Humanity Omaha is matching the investment with $300,000. Congratulations to Habitat for Humanity Omaha and the City of Blair!

Last Friday, the City of Geneva welcomed two new homeowners who just closed on their house! Originally from Nebraska, the couple had spent several years out of state but wanted to move back to The Good Life. Thankfully, SEND, Inc. recently completed a house on 19th Street for the couple to buy. SEND, Inc. was a 2017 recipient of a Rural Workforce Housing Fund award from DED. While their contract ended two years ago, they continue to revolve their workforce housing fund to create more housing in their region. This ribbon cutting represents a great example of continued investment in workforce housing and the positive impact it has on our Nebraska communities! 

Our DED team recently met with leaders of Rowse Hydraulic Rakes Company and toured their operations near Burwell. This homegrown Nebraska business was founded in 1959 and has remained under family leadership for four generations. The company has developed additional haying equipment and expanded to O’Neill. Rowse markets their products through a dealer network across the U.S. and also sell products internationally. Congratulations to Rowse on 65 years of business!