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Battle Creek is developing a master plan for the city park that will include a focus on enhancing recreation and accessibility of the swimming pool, ball diamonds, tennis and basketball courts, soccer fields and picnic areas. The clubhouse and the park’s playgrounds also will be assessed.
Battle Creek to use $15,000 in grant funding for park master planning
(Special to the Daily News Apr 28, 2025)
Battle Creek was recently awarded $15,000 in grant funding for the completion of a park master plan.
Battle Creek, in partnership with the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District and Norfolk Area Economic Development, applied to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for funds under the civic and community center financing fund (CCCFF).
This funding is utilized to support community facility projects across Nebraska that contribute to a higher quality of life and promote economic opportunity.
“Parks and recreational spaces are not just amenities, they’re essential infrastructure that enhances our quality of life and economic competitiveness,” said Battle Creek Mayor Heath Mettler. “This $15,000 grant will help us develop a strategic vision for Battle Creek Park that maximizes its potential as both a community gathering place and an important amenity for attracting families and businesses.
“We’re grateful to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for the support and excited about the possibilities this planning process will unlock.”
Battle Creek will match the grant award 1:1 to fund preliminary planning efforts that will include a focus on enhancing recreation and accessibility of key amenities such as the swimming pool, ball diamonds, tennis and basketball courts, soccer fields and picnic areas. It also will assess the clubhouse and the park’s playgrounds. The scope of services will include a project kickoff meeting, data collection, inventory assessment, alternative conceptual design and substantial community engagement.
“Placemaking investments like parks are vital to economic development — they help attract and retain residents, support workforce recruitment and create the kind of vibrant communities where people want to live and do business,” said Candice Alder, economic development director for the Norfolk Area Economic Development Council. “This planning grant is an important first step in shaping a community asset that will benefit Battle Creek for years to come.”
Once the planning process is complete, Battle Creek may apply for a future CCCFF grant cycle as a capital construction project. These funds then could be used to renovate and improve Battle Creek’s community facilities. The completion of this preliminary master planning process will contribute to the likelihood of success when applying for future capital construction funds from CCCFF or other opportunities.
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Grace Petersen
Community Planning Assistant
NENEDD Employee Spotlight for April focuses on Grace Petersen. Grace, Community Planning Assistant, joined the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District in November 2019. Grace is a graduate of Wayne State College, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. Prior to NENEDD, she was the City Editor at a local newspaper for 15 years. Grace’s current duties include assisting local governments in a 16-county region with surveys, community assessments and strategic planning, grant writing, administration, technical assistance, and other community and economic development activities She became a CDBG Certified Administrator in October 2021.
Tell us about your family: My husband, Matt, and I just celebrated our 18-year wedding anniversary. We have two children: Alianna, 14, and Emberle, 8.
Tell us about your pets: Have two cats, both are 3 years old. They are Hazel and Gwen.
What is your favorite movie/favorite movie line? I’m a total nerd and LOVE the Lord of the Rings series, especially the end of the Two Towers when Faramir says, “Release them.” Swoon.
What is your dream vacation? (Have you already taken it?) If I could get over my fear of flying, I’d love to visit these three places: Athens, Greece, Ireland, and England.
What is your favorite song and why? That’s a toss-up between Yesterday by the Beatles and November Rain by Guns N Roses. Just beautiful lyrics and accompaniment.
What’s one thing on your bucket list? To be able to see the ocean – listen to the waves crash and watch sunsets/sunrises.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Being able to work through complex issues successfully. That, and having grants awarded.
What is your favorite holiday/time of the year and why? Spring is my absolute favorite because everything is coming back to life, and you can hear birds singing again.
What was the best gift you’ve ever received? One year, my birthday was on Easter, so my dad gave me a special Seraphim Angel figurine so I would always remember.
What kind of car did you drive in high school? A light blue Chevrolet Omega – even had a sunroof!
What word best describes you? Some have said “feral.”
What’s your nickname, and is there a story behind it? There’s a few, but Gracie is what I get called the most.
New Community Planner at NENEDD
NENEDD has a new community planner, Tracy Sporleder, who joined the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District in March 2025.
Prior to joining NENEDD, Tracy worked for the Nebraska Department of Labor as a Business Service Representative- Reemployment Coordinator. She traveled within a 16-county region working with communities, employers, economic development organizations, and chambers of commerce to recruit and obtain quality employees. Tracy conducted FLC housing inspections for NDOL as well. She will obtain her CDBG certification in October 2025. Tracy comments, “From my experiences with NDOL and from northeast Nebraska, I’m excited to assist communities with my team through NENEDD as they continue to grow and prosper for generations to come.”
Board Meeting Minutes 03-26-2025
The Northeast Economic Development, Inc. (NED, Inc.) and the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) Board of Directors held their monthly meetings on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, via conference call.
NED, Inc. approved two loans. One will partner with Knox County to provide funding to transition ownership of Premier Cable Services, LLC from Kansas to Bill Arnold in Creighton, NE. Premier Cable Services, operating in northeast Nebraska, installs all parts of communications from fiber and coax design, planning, and construction of inside/outside plant to fiber and coax splicing, business installs and fiber to the home.
The 2nd loan comprises NED, Inc. partnering with F & M Bank in West Point to provide funding to transition ownership of the West Point Dairy Queen to the current manager, Alex Norton and his wife Jamie. They have been involved with the West Point Dairy Queen since 2017.
The board also approved one owner-occupied rehabilitation loan for repairs and improvements on a property in Columbus. After these repairs are completed, the house will meet or exceed all of the required minimum rehabilitation standards.
The NENEDD board approved a loan partnering with Midwest Bank in Norfolk, to transition ownership of Superior Car Wash South, located at 1325 Michigan Ave. in Norfolk, to Tyson and Tyler Wingate and operate as Wash Center South, LLC. funding to purchase the business also includes installation of new equipment.
The complete minutes from the March 26, 2025, NED, Inc. Board of Directors meeting can be viewed here: NED, Inc. The complete minutes from the March 26, 2025, NENEDD Board of Directors meeting can be viewed here: NENEDD.
The April Northeast Economic Development, Inc., and the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District Board of Directors meetings will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at Tornado Alley, 507 Avenue E in Wisner. The NED, Inc. meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. with the NENEDD meeting to follow.
Board Meeting Minutes – February 26, 2025
The Northeast Economic Development, Inc. (NED, Inc.) and the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) Board of Directors held their monthly meetings on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, via conference call.
The NED, Inc. board approved one business loan as well as an owner-occupied rehabilitation housing loan.
Bryce Hinrichs has formed a real estate holding company, Hinrichs Investments, LLC, and is planning the purchase of two adjacent shop condos to expand his current business, Window Medics, LLC. The project will also provide valuable shop space for small business owners to expand their business as well as for personal use from those who desire more space for personal belongings, hobbies, etc. as Norfolk does not have much if any availability of shop space such as this for rent or purchase.
The board also approved one owner-occupied rehabilitation loan for repairs and improvements on a property in Norfolk. After these repairs are completed, the house will meet or exceed all of the required minimum rehabilitation standards.
The NENEDD board approved a business loan to Cbus Hotels, LLC, for working capital to be used in the initial opening of a brand-new dual brand Mariott Hotel with 102 rooms that will connect via breezeway to the new Harrah’s Casino in Columbus.
The complete minutes from the February 26, 2025, NED, Inc. Board of Directors meeting can be viewed here: NED, Inc.
The complete minutes from the February 26, 2025, NENEDD Board of Directors meeting can be viewed here: NENEDD.
The March Northeast Economic Development, Inc. and the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District Board of Directors meetings will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 via conference call. The NED, Inc. meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. with the NENEDD meeting to follow. Locations will be posted on our website.
CDBG Awards – Newman Grove & Niobrara
The Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) wishes to congratulate two member communities on their respective Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awards. The NENEDD Planning Department assisted in writing the grant applications for the three awards, announced by the Department of Economic Development on November 12.
The City of Newman Grove was awarded both a CDBG Public Works grant and a Planning grant. The Public Works grant, in the amount of $430,000, will improve streets, storm drainage, and sidewalks. The Planning grant, in the amount of $43,000, will be used to fund a Community Development Plan which will include developing city-owned farm ground into a mixed-use subdivision. The Public Works and Planning grants will both meet the National Objective of Low-to-Moderate Income on an Area Basis (LMA).
The Village of Niobrara was awarded funding for a CDBG Planning grant in the amount of $53,000. The Village will utilize the grant funding to develop a Comprehensive Plan that will guide future actions of the community, including the creation of a Downtown Revitalization Plan. This grant will also meet the LMA National Objective.
“The NENEDD Planning Department is excited to partner with Newman Grove and Niobrara as they continue to strengthen the economic development in their communities,” said Andrea Larson, NENEDD Community Planner.
