Introducing Lori Schrader, Administrative Assistant
Prior to joining NENEDD, Lori served as a Business Loan Specialist at the Center for Rural Affairs, where she focused on the Northeast Nebraska region. In that role, she worked closely with a wide range of communities and small business owners, helping them navigate financing options and supporting their growth through technical assistance. Over the years, she built strong, lasting professional relationships and developed a deep understanding of the unique needs and opportunities within the region.
“During my time at the Center for Rural Affairs, I had the opportunity to work closely with many communities and small business owners across Northeast Nebraska. Building those relationships was incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to bring that experience and those connections to my work with NENEDD to help support continued growth and development in the region,” Lori said.
Tracy Sporleder
Community Planner
 Basic info:Tracy Sporleder, Community Planner, Joined NENEDD in March 2025. I have an Associate of Arts degree from Northeast Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Wayne State College, and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Doane University. I have been a volunteer with EMS since October 2006 and a certified CPR instructor since 2024.
Tell us about your family: Son, Jayden, who rests in peace with our heavenly Father; Daughter, Addison, a junior at USD in Vermillion; parents; one brother & one sister
Tell us about your pets: When my children were younger, we had rabbits for about 5 years. Husker was white with red eyes. Simba was medium to dark gray. No pets currently, but my daughter and I are known for our pet sitting skills to others.What is your favorite movie/favorite movie line? Sweet Home Alabama or The Notebook. I’m also a sucker for a good Hallmark movie.
What is your dream vacation? (Have you already taken it?) I’d like to use my passport and travel across seas somewhere such as Italy, Sweden, Ireland, or the like.
What is your favorite song and why? Not necessarily a favorite song but Martina McBride and Faith Hill have been two of my favorite country artists.
What’s one thing on your bucket list? To fly in a recreational (two seat) aircraft over Nebraska.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Making connections within the communities we serve. I enjoy listening to community members on their vision for future growth and what we can do to assist in making those visions a reality.
What is your favorite holiday/time of the year and why? My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love to decorate my home and watch classic movies. It always brings back memories of when my kids were small. My favorite time of year is fall. I love to drive around and see the fall foliage. It means it’s time to bake pumpkin goodies, drink fall coffee flavors, and Husker football!
What was the best gift you’ve ever received? Anything from my children.
What kind of car did you drive in high school? Buick Somerset. It had a sunroof so most thought it was “the bomb” in school to drive around in.
What word best describes you? Social. There are not too many places I can’t strike up a conversation with others.
What’s a fun or interesting fact about you? I was a lifeguard for eight years with certification in Water Swimming Instruction. To this day, I still can maneuver a back flip and dive.
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The Northeast Economic Development, Inc. (NED, Inc.) and the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) Board of Directors held their monthly meetings on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at the City of Norfolk Offices.
At the NED, Inc. meeting, a business loan was approved in the amount of $200,000 for Rusty Smith, Shea Stokely, and Matt Talmon, who are planning to open a Scooters Coffee at 907 N. Lincoln Street in West Point. It will offer drive-thru service only, with no sit-down service, nor outdoor seating. Scooter’s Coffee menu offers hot coffee, cold coffee, blended coffee, energy drinks, smoothies, teas, baked goods, as well as breakfast sandwiches and burritos.
One Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation loan was also approved for up to $25,000. This is a 1% interest loan, up to a 20-year term.
During the NENEDD meeting, three business loans were approved. The first was for $66,800 to Erica Stephenson, doing business as Red Brick Hair Chix in North Bend. Stephenson will offer basic services, such as shampoos and styles, haircuts, highlighting and color services, deep conditioning treatments, and formal styles. She also plans to offer tanning with the hopes of providing 24/7 access.
The second business loan was for $14,000 for Roman and Svitlana Kulbashnyi, doing business as FarmLife Nebraska Drone in Boone County. This will be Nebraska’s first rural drone-powered animal search and recovery service, which will address a critical need across rural Nebraska, where lost calves, livestock, and pets are difficult to locate with traditional methods.
The final business loan was for $70,000 for Mark and Preston Rose, doing business as REPS Fitness in Hartington. REPS was established in 2011 and has developed a small, loyal customer base serving Cedar County. Future plans include incorporating a personal trainer, nutrition support under the Nebraska Cottage Food Law, youth training programs, and mobile fitness pop-ups. They would also like to develop a school partnership (P.E. classes), offer employer wellness deals, sponsor local events, and possibly have a franchise-like expansion in nearby towns.
During both meetings, Loren Kucera was appointed to finish the three-year term of Lori Schrader on the Northeast Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Committee, ending June 2026. Schrader has been on the Northeast RLF Committee since 2019, representing as a small business consultant from the Center for Rural Affairs. She has since taken a position at NENEDD. Kucera is currently a business consultant and served as the director of the Nebraska Business Development Center at Wayne State College for more than 30 years.
The complete minutes from the August 27, 2025, NED, Inc. Board of Directors meeting can be viewed here: NED, Inc.
The complete minutes from the August 27, 2025, NENEDD Board of Directors meeting can be viewed here: NENEDD.
The July NED, Inc. Board of Directors and the NENEDD Board of Directors meetings will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at the Niobrara Country Cafe, 89141 NE-14, Niobrara, NE 68760. The NED, Inc. meeting will begin at 7 p.m. with the NENEDD meeting to follow. The public is welcome to attend.
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Zach Fisher, NENEDD Community Planner, recently attended the Advancing 6 Regions, One Nebraska on Wednesday, August 13th in Kearney, Nebraska. The event was a part of the annual Governor’s Summit. The meeting focused on the Regional Navigator’s giving a report on what their region is currently experiencing and how they are moving forward to help Nebraska become the best state in the country. An estimated 280 people from all over the state attended the event. Nebraska Head Football Coach, Matt Rhule, was the Keynote Speaker for the Summit.
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NENEDD’s Housing Department assisted with the following throughout the month of August:
- NAHTF housing management for rental rehabilitation grants for the City of Norfolk, City of Madison, City of Plainview, and the City of Bloomfield.
- 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
- 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
- RWHF management for Albion Economic Development Corporation, Pender Community Development, Cuming County Economic Development, and the Greater Fremont Development Council
- Monthly Schuyler Housing Development Committee meetings
- Direct homebuyer assistance loan closing in Norfolk, as well as two in Columbus
- Participated in the HomeNE Webinar facilitated by South Central Economic Development District.
- NROC 3rd Thursday Peer Exchange
- Attended Nebraska Housing Developers Association Board and Policy Committee Zoom meetings
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NENEDD Community Planners are in the middle of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant writing season, with a number of applications — including five public works grants and a planning grant — to be submitted on September 15.
In addition, NENEDD Planners are reaching out to Community Members to give a short presentation on how NENEDD can help communities reach their economic development goals, as well as the services that NENEDD provides, including income and attitude surveys, town hall meeting facilitation, strategic planning and action plans, grant identification and writing, and general administration of federal/state grant funds.
The planners also assisted with the following throughout the month of August:
- Prepared a Community Attitude Survey for the City of Wakefield
- Conducted a wage interviews in the City of Schuyler for its Downtown Park project
- Conducted wage interviews in the Village of Craig for its Streets project
- Conducted Public Hearing for the Village of McLean
- Facilitated a community visit with the City of Clarkson to discuss future projects
- Presented at the Newman Grove City Council meeting and Plainview City Council Meeting
- Implemented a Income and Attitude Survey for the Village of Dodge
- Scheduled meetings with the City of Crofton and the City of Neligh
- Administered numerous active grants, including Planning grants, Downtown Revitalization Grants, and Public Works grants
- Participated in the HomeNE Webinar
- Participated in the Land Bank 101 webinar
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).
Business Loan Activities for August
October business loan application timeline:
- 10-3-25 (F) – deadline to receive all application docs
- 10-14-25 (Tu) – loan summary is provided to the Northeast Loan Committee for their review.
- 10-20-25 (M) 10:30 AM – Northeast Loan Committee meets to review applications and make recommendation to the board of directors.
- 10-29-25 (W) 7:00 PM – NENEDD/NED, Inc. Board meetings to take official action
Loan Closings:
- Wynot Uptown – Wynot
- FarmLife Nebraska Drone – St. Edward
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 |
The Nebraska Regional Officials Council (NROC) has created a project impact map which shows grant and loan funding projects throughout the region. Each of the economic development districts has begun inputting project data from 2023-2024 for the public to view. Other years will be added in the future.Currently, there has been an economic impact of approximately $270 million, 351 projects, 875 businesses that were impacted and 520 jobs created. These numbers will increase as projects continue to be updated. The projects include various community grants, business loans, and housing loans.
Please click on the link here: NROC Project Impact Map or scan the QR code below. For a NENEDD-specific map, please visit our website at NENEDD.org.
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NADO News
Recording and Slides Available for “Repurposing Vacant Houses of Worship: Ideas and Opportunities for Economic Development Districts” Webinar
As houses of worship across the U.S. close at an accelerating rate, local governments and Economic Development Districts face both a pressing challenge and a unique opportunity. A webinar this week led by Rick Reinhard, principal of Niagara Consulting Group, explored how municipalities and Economic Development Districts (EDDs) can engage religious leaders, congregations, and developers to thoughtfully reimagine these properties in a variety of way. Click here to view the recording and slides. Recording and Slides Available for “Shared Equity Housing: Homeownership Options that Can Help Your Community Meet Its Affordable Housing Needs” Webinar
Looking for more tools to help people get the housing they need in your area? More and more communities are looking to shared equity models to preserve and create housing that is permanent, affordable, and invested by and in the community. Watch this webinar for a highly engaging conversation about what these models are, how they work, and how they can be adapted to meet your community’s needs. Click here to view the recording and slides. Webinar Recording Now Available for Redevelopment and Revitalization: Land Bank 101
Through the EDD CoP, the NADO Research Foundation hosted a presentation from Brian Larkin, Director of the National Land Bank Network at the Center for Community Progress. Larkin discussed the state of land banks in the country and gave an overview of helpful information on starting up a regional land bank. View the webinar recording here. The Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program (RTA) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides up to $54.2 million in no-match grants on a first-come, first-serve basis to support legal, technical, and financial advisors to help advance infrastructure projects in rural and tribal communities. This amended NOFO combines Fiscal Years (FY) 2024 and 2025 program funds, with a $20 million set-aside for Tribes. Applications will be accepted beginning on September 8, 2025. Learn more here.Funding Opportunities, Events, and Resources
EDA Releases Disaster Supplemental Funding Webinars
On June 4, 2025, the U.S Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced the publication of its Fiscal Year 2025 Disaster Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (also known as the D25 NOFO), which makes approximately $1.45 billion available to eligible disaster-impacted communities. To help prepare for the application process, EDA has published a series of webinars and slide presentations. Click here for more information on the FY25 Disaster Supplemental NOFO, to access webinars, and view additional slide presentations. Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Releases Trail Map for Rural Development in America
Earlier this month, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) released their Trail Map for Rural Development in America, which was inspired by rural recreation communities across the country and informed by ORR’s National Leadership Forum on Rural Development that was held last fall. The Trail Map identifies core opportunities for leading agencies, nonprofits, philanthropies, Tribes, and business leaders focused on economic development to ensure that rural America flourishes through access to the outdoors.
Notice of Public Comment Period: Proposed 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER)
| The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are soliciting public comments on the Proposed 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER). Public comments will be accepted from September 2, 2025 – September 16, 2025.
The CAPER pertains to the programs in the bulleted list below. It includes a description of resources made available, the investment of available resources, the geographic distribution and location of local investments, families and persons assisted, actions taken to affirmatively further fair housing, and other actions indicated in the State of Nebraska 2024 Annual Action Plan for Housing and Community Development.
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
- HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
- National Housing Trust Fund (HTF)
- Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
- Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA)
- Homeless Shelter Assistance Trust Fund (HSATF)
- Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF)
In addition to the above-listed programs, the report will include references to the CARES Act funds allocated through the CDBG-CV.
The proposed 2024 CAPER will be available electronically beginning on September 2, 2025, at https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/programs/plans-reports/.
All comments must be received by DED before the close of the comment period. Mail written comments to: Nebraska Department of Economic Development, 245 Fallbrook Blvd, Suite 002, Lincoln, NE 68509-4666. Or, email comments to ded.publiccomment@nebraska.gov with the subject line “2024 Proposed CAPER.” Individuals requiring sensory accommodations, including interpreter services, Braille, large print or recorded materials, should contact Laura Hart at 308-202-0177 or ded.publiccomment@nebraska.gov.
Los individuos que no hablan inglés y los individuos con discapacidad podrán solicitar ayuda y servicios necesarios para contactar el Departamento de Desarrollo Economico, P.O. Box 94666, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-4666, o ded.publiccomment@nebraska.gov. |
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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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| Bank of Hartington |
Nebraska Municipal Power Pool |
| Burt County Public Power District |
Platte Valley Bank |
| Cedar-Knox Public Power District |
Points West Community Bank |
| Cedar Security Bank |
Schuyler Community Development, Inc. |
| Columbus Bank & Trust Company |
Scribner Bank |
| Commercial State Bank |
Stanton County Public Power District |
| Cornhusker Public Power District |
State Nebraska Bank & Trust |
| Cuming County Public Power District |
Wayne State College |
| Elkhorn Rural Public Power District |
West Point Chamber of Commerce |
| Farmers & Merchants State Bank |
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| Frontier Bank |
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| Genoa Community Bank |
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| Madison County Bank |
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| Antelope County |
Colfax County |
Platte County |
| Boone County |
Cuming County |
Stanton County |
| Burt County |
Knox County |
Thurston County |
| Cedar County |
Nance County |
Wayne County |
| City of Albion |
City of Osmond |
Village of Decatur |
Village of Richland |
| City of Battle Creek |
City of Pierce |
Village of Dixon |
Village of Snyder |
| City of Bloomfield |
City of Plainview |
Village of Dodge |
Village of Thurston |
| City of Clarkson |
City of Ponca |
Village of Duncan |
Village of Verdigre |
| City of Columbus |
City of Randolph |
Village of Emerson |
Village of Wausa |
| City of Creighton |
City of Scribner |
Village of Fordyce |
Village of Wynot |
| City of Crofton |
City of St. Edward |
Village of Howells |
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| City of Elgin |
City of Stanton |
Village of Inglewood |
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| City of Fremont |
City of Tilden |
Village of Leigh |
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| City of Genoa |
City of Wakefield |
Village of Martinsburg |
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| City of Hartington |
City of Wayne |
Village of McLean |
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| City of Hooper |
City of West Point |
Village of Meadow Grove |
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| City of Laurel |
Village of Allen |
Village of Newcastle |
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| City of Lyons |
Village of Bancroft |
Village of Niobrara |
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| City of Madison |
Village of Beemer |
Village of Oakdale |
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| City of Newman Grove |
Village of Belden |
Village of Orchard |
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| City of Norfolk |
Village of Cedar Rapids |
Village of Pender |
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| City of North Bend |
Village of Coleridge |
Village of Petersburg |
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| City of Oakland |
Village of Craig |
Village of Pilger |
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NED, Inc. Board of DirectorsKurt 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
Aaron Gutz – President, Security Bank, Osmond Branch
Lori Schrader – Loan Specialist, Center for Rural Affairs
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 Osten – Owner, Cedar Valley Insurance
Elizabeth McManigal – Loan Officer, Charter West Bank
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