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Quality child care is essential to strong communities, thriving businesses, and working families. Across Nebraska, the demand for child care continues to outpace availability. According to U.S. Census and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services data, more than 12,000 additional child care spaces are needed statewide. Nearly 75% of children under age six require paid care, and the shortage of infant and toddler providers continues to impact families, employers, and local economies — costing Nebraska an estimated $1 billion annually.
This month, instead of highlighting just one business, we are recognizing several dedicated child care providers who are helping meet this critical need in northeast Nebraska communities.
Through funding assistance provided by NENEDD and NED, Inc., these providers have taken the initiative to open or expand child care services, creating safe, nurturing environments for local children while supporting working parents throughout the region.
Recent child care projects supported include:
- Lil’ Wrangler Ranch – Belgrade
- Bailey’s Little Cats – Ewing
- Little Bulldogs Childcare – Creighton
- Tiny Treasures Daycare – Dodge
- Tigers and Friends Childcare Center – Osmond
These providers are doing more than caring for children — they are strengthening communities, supporting workforce development, and investing in the future of rural Nebraska.
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.jpg "Copy of Brown Grey Modern Elegant Real Estate Email Header (9)") The regularly scheduled meetings of the Northeast Economic Development (NED, Inc.) Board and the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) Board, planned for Wednesday, May 27, 2026, were cancelled.
This Month at NENEDD
NENEDD and NED, Inc. each approved loans supporting two startup businesses, continuing their commitment to economic growth in Northeast Nebraska.
Startup
Leah Classen and her husband, Isaac, are planning the startup of IC Prints, which will produce custom printing and personalized products to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, customizable décor, gifts and specialty items. The new service will include, (but is not limited to) personalized home décor, custom Christmas ornaments, branded promotional items for businesses, golf balls and sports accessories, wedding, event and corporate gifts, small‑batch product runs for local businesses, custom artwork and photo prints on wood, metal and acrylic, and additional one‑off or specialty custom print projects. Leah can be contacted at 402-910-9180 leahclassen@ic-prints.com
Sisters Lakyn and Harlee Allen are planning the startup of Low Light Bar, a neighborhood bar to be located at 211 Main St. in Wayne. They will offer a focused menu designed to complement the cocktail concept with signature cocktails as the centerpiece of the menu. Both Lakyn and Harlee bring hands-on experience in both bartending and bar management. Their Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/LowLightBarandLounge
The next meetings will be held Wednesday June 24, 2026, at the City of Norfolk Offices – Training room, 309 N. 5th St. Norfolk, NE. NED, Inc. will begin at 7 p.m., with NENEDD to follow. The public is welcome to attend.
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NENEDD’s Housing Department throughout the month of May:
- NAHTF Housing management for City of Norfolk, City of Plainview, and City of Bloomfield’s rental rehabilitation grants
- NAHTF General administration and housing management for NED, Inc. owner occupied rehabilitation grant for congressional district 1
- NAHTF General administration and housing management for City of Fremont rental rehabilitation grant
- NAHTF General administration and housing management for CCED new construction grant
- HOME housing management and general administration for NED, Inc. direct homebuyer assistance program
- NAHTF housing management and general administration for NED, Inc. direct homebuyer assistance program
- HOME housing management and general administration for NED, Inc. owner occupied rehabilitation program
- NAHTF housing management and general administration for NED, Inc. owner occupied rehabilitation program
- HOME housing management and general administration for NENEDD community owner occupied rehabilitation programs
- HOME housing management and general administration for NENEDD community direct homebuyer assistance program programs
- RWHF management for Albion Economic Development Corporation, Pender Community Development, Cuming County Economic Development, Greater Fremont Development Council
- Monthly Schuyler Housing Development Committee meetings
- HomeNE Webinar facilitated by South Central Economic Development District
- Nebraska Housing Developers Board and Policy Committee Zoom meetings
- Attended NROC 1st Thursday virtual meeting
- Affordable Housing in Nebraska webinar
- Network Meeting in Wayne
- Provided Annual Report statistics to Administrative Assistant
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The following surveys are currently active and being conducted by NENEDD
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Community Surveys
- City of Albion
- Village of Meadow Grove
- City of Osmond
- City of West Point
- City of Ponca
- City of Madison
- City of Schuyler
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USDA Surveys
Income Surveys
- Village of Doge
- Village of Leigh
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Downtown Revitalization
- Norfolk
- Fremont
- Columbus
- Pierce
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Public Works
- Wayne
- Craig
- Newman Grove
- Lyons
- Newcastle
- Schuyler
- Battle Creek
- Richland
- Walthill
- Fullerton
- Mclean
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Planning
- Newman Grove
- Niobrara
- Decatur
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CCCFF
- Battle Creek
- Norfolk
- Madison
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Other
- Wakefield Reuse – Housing
- Wayne – RCRP
- Norfolk – ARPA QTC
- Madison – EMCV
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The NENEDD Community Planners are available to write or assist with writing both state and federal grants. The funding opportunities our Community Planners specialize in include the following:
- Community Development Block Grants – Planning, Public Works and Downtown Revitalization grants are due in September. Communities should let NENEDD know they would like to apply as soon as possible but no later than June 1 (subject to waiting list on a first come, first serve basis).
- Nebraska Game and Parks Grants – Recreational Trails Program and Land and Water Conservation Fund grants are due in August. Communities should let NENEDD know they would like to apply as soon as possible but no later than June 1 (subject to waiting list on a first come, first serve basis).
- Civic and Community Center Financing Fund – Planning and Construction grants have a pre-application deadline in January and a full application deadline in February. Communities should let NENEDD know they would like to apply as soon as possible but no later than November 1 (subject to waiting list on a first come, first serve basis).
- Rural Workforce Housing Fund – New owner-occupied housing and rental housing units, as well as existing owner-occupied housing and rental housing units. These grants have a pre-application deadline of November and a full application deadline in January. Communities should let NENEDD know they would like to apply as soon as possible but no later than October 24 (subject to waiting list on first come, first serve basis).
- Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund – Housing development projects and nonprofit building/operating assistance grants have a pre-application deadline in February and a full application deadline in May. Communities should let NENEDD know they would like to apply as soon as possible but no later than November 20 (subject to waiting list on a first come, first serve basis).
For more information, please contact Sandra Goode, Community Planner at sandra@nenedd.org or Zach Fisher, Community Planner at zach@nenedd.org, or call 402-379-1150.
July business loan application timeline:
- 7-3-26 (F) – deadline to receive all application docs
- 7-14-26 (Tu) – loan summary is provided to the Northeast Loan Committee for their review.
- 7-20-26 (Tu) 10:30 AM – Northeast Loan Committee meets to review applications and make recommendation to the board of directors.
- 7-29-26 (W) 7:00 PM – NENEDD/NED, Inc. Board meetings to take official action
May Loan Closings:
Lake Water Rentals, LLC (Pierce) – $45,000
Revolving Loan Funds: The Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) and Northeast Economic Development, Inc. (NED, Inc.) Revolving Loan Funds (RLF) were created to help fund economic development projects within a 26-county region of Northeast and North Central Nebraska:
- Antelope
- Boone
- Boyd
- Burt
- Butler
- Brown
- Cedar
- Colfax
- Cuming
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- Cherry
- Dakota
- Dixon
- Dodge
- Rural Douglas
- Holt
- Keya Paha
- Knox
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- Madison
- Nance
- Pierce
- Platte
- Rock
- Stanton
- Thurston
- Washington
- Wayne
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The RLF provides for subordinated gap financing for businesses, in conjunction with local financial institutions; allowing the business owner the ability to start a business, expand a current business, transfer ownership or purchase an existing business. These loans are perfect for financing fixed assets such as land, building, equipment and working capital.
Loan Terms and Conditions:
- Maximum loan amount is $200,000.
- Real estate financing will not exceed 25 years.
- Working capital and equipment loans will be financed on a short-term basis of 3 to 10 years.
- Interest rates will be fixed based on the length of the loan.
Eligibility:
- At least one (1) full time equivalent job must be created or retained for each $35,000 in loan dollars.
- Loan dollars may not represent more than 40% of the total financing needs.
- 10%-20% equity is generally required.
- At least 51% of the jobs created or retained should benefit persons of low to moderate incomes.
- Bank financing is encouraged and preferred with each borrower, but not required.
- A processing fee of 1% ($200 minimum) of the loan amount must be paid by the applicant before the application is reviewed by the loan committee.
- An annual servicing fee equal to ½ of 1% of the declining loan balance will be charged to each borrower.
For more information, please contact Jeff Christensen, Business Loan Specialist,
at 402-649-7223 or jeff@nenedd.org |
NROC PROJECT IMPACT MAP
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The Nebraska Regional Officials Council (NROC) has created a project impact map which shows grant and loan funding projects throughout the region.
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| 2025-2026 Associate Members |
| Diamond |
| Platinum |
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| Gold |
Silver |
| Bank of Dixon County |
BankFirst |
| Black Hills Energy |
Brunswick State Bank |
| Charter West Bank |
Clarkson Bank |
| Citizens State Bank |
Faith Regional Health Services |
| Cornerstone Bank |
First Bank & Trust of Fullerton |
| Elkhorn Valley Bank & Trust |
Loup River Public Power District |
| F&M Bank |
Midwest Bank |
| First Community Bank |
Norfolk Daily News |
| First Northeast Bank of Nebraska |
Wayne America, Inc. |
| Great Plains State Bank |
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| McMill CPAs & Advisors |
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| Neighbor Works Northeast Nebraska |
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| Northeast Community College |
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| Bronze |
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| Bank of Hartington |
Genoa Community Bank |
| Burt County Public Power District |
Madison County Bank |
| Cedar-Knox Public Power District |
Nebraska Municipal Power Pool |
| Cedar Security Bank |
Platte Valley Bank |
| Columbus Bank & Trust Company |
Points West Community Bank |
| Commercial State Bank |
Schuyler Community Development, Inc. |
| Cornhusker Public Power District |
Scribner Bank |
| Cuming County Public Power District |
Stanton County Public Power District |
| Elkhorn Rural Public Power District |
State Nebraska Bank & Trust |
| Farmers & Merchants State Bank |
Wayne State College |
| Frontier Bank |
West Point Chamber of Commerce |
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| Antelope County |
Cuming County |
Pierce County |
| Boone County |
Dodge County |
Platte County |
| Burt County |
Knox County |
Stanton County |
| Cedar County |
Madison County |
Thurston County |
| Colfax County |
Nance County |
Wayne County |
| City of Albion |
City of Oakland |
Village of Cedar Rapids |
Village of Pender |
| City of Battle Creek |
City of Osmond |
Village of Coleridge |
Village of Petersburg |
| City of Bloomfield |
City of Pierce |
Village of Craig |
Village of Pilger |
| City of Clarkson |
City of Plainview |
Village of Decatur |
Village of Richland |
| City of Columbus |
City of Ponca |
Village of Dixon |
Village of Snyder |
| City of Creighton |
City of Randolph |
Village of Dodge |
Village of Thurston |
| City of Crofton |
City of Schuyler |
Village of Duncan |
Village of Verdigre |
| City of Elgin |
City of Scribner |
Village of Emerson |
Village of Walthill |
| City of Fremont |
City of St. Edward |
Village of Fordyce |
Village of Wausa |
| City of Fullerton |
City of Stanton |
Village of Howells |
Village of Wynot |
| City of Genoa |
City of Tilden |
Village of Inglewood |
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| City of Hartington |
City of Wakefield |
Village of Leigh |
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| City of Hooper |
City of Wayne |
Village of Martinsburg |
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| City of Laurel |
City of West Point |
Village of McLean |
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| City of Lyons |
City of Wisner |
Village of Meadow Grove |
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| City of Madison |
Village of Allen |
Village of Newcastle |
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| City of Newman Grove |
Village of Bancroft |
Village of Niobrara |
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| City of Norfolk |
Village of Beemer |
Village of Oakdale |
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| City of North Bend |
Village of Belden |
Village of Orchard |
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NED, Inc. Board of Directors
- Kurt Dostal – President – Citizens State Bank
- Loren Kucera – Vice President – Wayne State College
- Tod W. Voss, MD – Secretary/Treasurer – Village of McLean
- Sally Ganem – Board Member – Fremont City Council
- Rich Jablonski – Board Member – Columbus City Council
- Jim Hans – Board Member – Village of Wynot
- Troy Uhlir – Board Member – Madison County Commissioner
NENEDD Board of Directors
- Sally Ganem – Chairwoman – Fremont City Council
- Meghann Buresh – Vice Chairwoman – Nebraska Apex Accelerator
- Blake Denton – Secretary/Treasurer – MetLife Investment Management
- Charlie Bahr – Board Member – Columbus City Council
- Benjamin Benton – Board Member – Nebraska Business Development Center, Wayne
- Doug Huttmann – Board Member – Stanton County Commissioner
- Mason Zimmerer – Board Member – Northeast Community College
- Anthony Warrior – Board Member – Nebraska Indian Community College
- Jeff Jensen – Board Member – Norfolk City Council
Business RLF Committee
- Chad Anderson – Pierce City Administrator
- Loren Kucera – Wayne State College
- Aaron Gutz – President, Security Bank, Osmond Branch
- Adam Rief – Owner, Rief Design and Manufacturing, LLC
- Nicole Sedlacek – Economic Development Manager, NPPD
- Ryan Steffensmeier – President and CEO, First Community Bank
- Brenda Whalen – Owner, Laurel’s Hometown Market
- Brian Yosten – Owner, Cedar Valley Insurance
- Elizabeth McManigal – Loan Officer, Charter West Bank
To stay connected and informed, follow us on FaceBook and here subscribe to our newsletter to receive all our latest news and updates. |
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Executive Director
Mandy Gear
Deputy Director
Andrea Larson
Fiscal Officer
Jill Godfrey
Business Loan
Specialist
Jeff Christensen
Housing Specialist
Martin Griffith
Housing Loan Specialist
Grace Petersen
Community Planner
Sandra Goode
Zach Fisher
Adminstrative
Assistant
Lori Schrader
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