 |
May 29, 2025
111 S. 1st St. | Norfolk, Nebraska 68701 | 402-379-1150 |www.nenedd.org |
|
Meet the NENEDD Staff
| L-R – Back: Martin Griffith (Housing Specialist), Sandra Goode (Community Planner), Grace Petersen (Community Planning Assistant) L-R Front: Jeff Christensen (Business Loan Specialist), Tracy Sporleder (Community Planner), Jill Godfrey (Fiscal Officer), Mandy Gear (Executive Director), Andrea Larson (Deputy Director), Mary Fleer (Administrative Assistant), Zach Fisher (Community Planner) |
.jpg "Untitled design (4)")
Jeff Christensen
Business Loan Specialist
Jeff Christensen, NENEDD’s Business Loan Specialist, will celebrate 26 years with the District in September. Jeff provides business consultation and loan packaging services. Jeff has extensive experience in loan fund management, business training, and as a technical assistance provider. He manages NED, Inc. and NENEDD’s $16.7 million Business Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). Jeff has completed the National Development Council’s (NDC) economic development courses, is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP), an Accredited Business Planning Advisor (ABPA), a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute and has a Bachelor of Music Education from Indiana University in Bloomington. Jeff has also received National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) training for revolving loan administration and is a member of NADO’s Economic Development Financial Service (EDFS). He has extensive experience in packaging of federal loan programs including EDA, CDBG, USDA’s IRP, REDLG, RMAP and RBEG programs, and private foundation funds. He has been providing technical assistance since November of 2004. In that time period, he has provided technical assistance to over 2,200 small businesses. This has resulted in the creation and/or retention of over 3,800 jobs. Prior to becoming NENEDD’s Business Loan Specialist, he was NENEDD’s Deputy Director for over four years.
Tell us about your family: Married to Kerri for 50 years in August, 3 children, 12 grandchildren.
Tell us about your pets: One dog, Millie Marie, mixed breed, 4 years old.
What is your favorite movie? It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
What is your dream vacation? Attend all NASCAR races in one year.
What’s one thing on your bucket list? Attend all NASCAR races in one year.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Working with the future.
What is your favorite time of the year and why? Summer – warm/hot weather
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Steak
What kind of car did you drive in high school? Ford Mustang Mach 1
What’s your nickname, and is there a story behind it? I have several…all have stories.
What’s a fun or interesting fact about you? My wife and I are high school sweethearts. We had a mock wedding in high school 5 years before we were actually married. The mock wedding was held in an old Lutheran church that was being used for our high school band/choir. One of my best friends performed the ceremony. His father was the Lutheran minister in that church.
|
.jpg "Copy of Brown Grey Modern Elegant Real Estate Email Header (9)")
The Northeast Economic Development, Inc. (NED, Inc.) and the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) Board of Directors held their monthly meetings on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at the City of Norfolk Offices
The complete minutes from the May 28, 2025, NED, Inc. Board of Directors meeting can be viewed here: NED, Inc.
The complete minutes from the April 30, 2025, NENEDD Board of Directors meeting can be viewed here: NENEDD.
The June Northeast Economic Development, Inc. Board of Directors meeting and the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District Board of Directors/Council of Officials meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the Norfolk City Offices at 309 5th Street in Norfolk. The NED, Inc. meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. with the NENEDD meeting to follow.
|
The 2025-26 Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy
opens its application window on May 5
Child care and other early childhood issues play a huge role in workforce participation, business productivity, and the marketability of Nebraska’s communities. That’s why the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy is seeking applicants from business, industry and economic development to join its 2025-26 class. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn alongside experts in public policy, advocacy and early childhood development, gaining skills that will help you influence policy decisions that directly impact the economic well-being of our state and the quality of life of all Nebraskans. The application window opens May 5 and runs through July 18.
Visit FirstFiveNebraska.org/advocacy/policy-leadership-academy for more information.
|
.jpg "Community Planning")
Change in application dates for Land
and Water Conservation Fund Grant
The application window has changed. This year, it is Monday, May 5 at 8 a.m. CT through Friday, August 22 at 12 p.m. CT.
You may register as a user and/or organization at any time. The 2025 Application Guide will be available on the website in April, with the online application arriving on May 5.
The 2024 application guide is online now, but any changes will be minor, so feel free to use it as a template to get started.
|
|
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).
For more information, please contact Sandra Goode, Community Planner at sandra@nenedd.org, Zach Fisher, Community Planner at zach@nenedd.org, Tracy Sporleder, Community Planner at tracy@nenedd.org or Grace Petersen, Community Planning Assistant at grace@nenedd.org or call 402-379-1150.
|
Revitalize and Thrive Partnership Program
We wanted to make you aware of an exciting, bold, statewide program aimed at solving one of Nebraska’s most persistent challenges: talent retention and community revitalization. The Revitalize and Thrive Partnership Program, sponsored in part by the Good Life is Calling Initiative, is a partnership between national revitalization expert Jeff Siegler of Revitalize or Die, Hastings College Scott Scholars, and participating Nebraska communities. This program is designed to address talent retention and community revitalization by integrating national expertise, local leadership, and student-driven insights.
Goals:
- Align community efforts with the aspirations of young talent to create vibrant and attractive places to live and work.
- Foster entrepreneurial ecosystems and support young professionals through hands-on work experiences. Develop playbooks for revitalization and retention in each community.
- Encourage local employment opportunities and enhance civic engagement.
- Strengthen community revitalization efforts by fostering youth retention through strategic engagement, leadership development, and economic opportunities.
Through hands-on community involvement, participating teams will develop tailored playbooks and toolkits, enabling Nebraska communities to thrive and retain young professionals.
Who Can Apply?
- Nebraska communities seeking to enhance talent retention and economic vitality.
- Communities willing to actively collaborate with students and professionals to implement revitalization strategies.
- Local governments, businesses, and organizations prepared to support the program.
Community Commitments
- A $5,000 participation investment to support program costs.
- Active participation in program activities, workshops, and engagement sessions.
- Facilitation of community outreach and integration of students into local projects.
Community applications are due July 1, 2025. Community information packet, application and more information can be found here: Revitalize and Thrive [sites.google.com]
Funding sponsors: Good Life is Calling Initiative, Nebraska Diplomats, Nebraska Community Foundation, Nebraska Public Power District, Omaha Public Power District, and Hastings College.
|
|
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
|
- Cherry
- Dakota
- Dixon
- Dodge
- Rural Douglas
- Holt
- Keya Paha
- Knox
|
- Madison
- Nance
- Pierce
- Platte
- Rock
- Stanton
- Thurston
- Washington
- Wayne
|
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 1/2 of 1% of the declining loan balance will be charged to each borrower.
How to Apply: A pre-application may be obtained by visiting www.nenedd.org/business-loans/
Business loan applications are due on a monthly basis.
May timeline:
- 5-2-25 (F) – deadline to receive all application docs
- 5-13-25 (Tu) – loan summary is provided to the Northeast Loan Committee for their review.
- 5-19-25 (M) 10:30 AM – Northeast Loan Committee meets to review applications and make recommendation to the board of directors.
- 5-28-25 (W) 7:00 PM – NENEDD and NED, Inc. Board meetings to take official action
June timeline:
- 5-30-25 (F) – deadline to receive all application docs
- 6-10-25 (Tu) – loan summary is provided to the Northeast Loan Committee for their review.
- 6-16-25 (M) 10:30 AM – Northeast Loan Committee meets to review applications and make recommendation to the board of directors.
- 6-25-25 (W) 7:00 PM – NENEDD and NED, Inc. Board meetings to take official action
For more information, please contact Jeff Christensen, Business Loan Specialist,
at 402-649-7223 or jeff@nenedd.org
|
|
SBA Launches Onshoring Portal to Advance
America’s Economic Comeback
New Tool Connects Small Businesses to Network
of more than 1 Million Domestic Suppliers
|
WASHINGTON — Today, Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), announced the launch of the Make Onshoring Great Again Portal, a free tool designed to help small businesses identify U.S. manufacturers and producers. With a database of more than 1 million American suppliers, the searchable portal will empower job creators to source domestic suppliers to support their operations – which will in turn support American jobs, reconnect our supply chain with U.S-based production, and end our nation’s concentrated dependence on foreign suppliers and adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party.
“The SBA is proud to support President Donald J. Trump’s mission to restore America’s economic resurgence by empowering small businesses with the resources to supercharge the return of Made in America,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “The Make Onshoring Great Again Portal will give job creators a direct line to more than one million domestic suppliers – replacing foreign dependence with access to American-made solutions. It’s a decisive step toward rebuilding our nation’s strength through stronger supply chains, better products, and a renewed commitment to American industry, small business, and workers.”
The SBA is working with several private-sector cosponsors to provide public access to three free databases representing more than 1 million U.S. based manufacturers, producers, and suppliers. Not only will the portal enable small businesses to support American industry and workers – it will also benefit job creators by helping them source domestic supply chains that will deliver shortened lead times, improved quality control, and reduced exposure to overseas disruptions.
The Made in America Onshoring Portal builds on the SBA’s ongoing commitment to revitalizing American industry. Earlier this year, the agency launched the Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, which is aimed at expanding access to capital for U.S. manufacturers, promoting a skilled workforce, and cutting $100 billion in red tape. The agency has also endorsed recent bipartisan, bicameral legislation to double the SBA loan cap for small manufacturers in the effort to supercharge the return of American manufacturing dominance.
For more information, please visit the Make Onshoring Great Again Portal at: www.sba.gov/priorities/american-manufacturers/make-onshoring-great-again-portal
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
|
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.
%20(1).jpg "Untitled (100 x 100 px) (1)")
|
| 2024-2025 Associate Members |
|
Diamond
|
| Gold |
Silver |
| Bank of Dixon County |
BankFirst |
| Black Hills Energy |
Brunswick State Bank |
| Center for Rural Affairs |
Clarkson Bank |
| Citizens State Bank |
First Bank & Trust of Fullerton |
| Cornerstone Bank |
Homestead Bank |
| Elkhorn Valley Bank & Trust |
JEO Consulting Group, Inc. |
| F&M Bank |
Norfolk Daily News |
| Faith Regional Health Services |
Wayne America, Inc. |
| First Northeast Bank of Nebraska |
|
| Great Plains State Bank |
|
| Loup River Public Power District |
|
| McMill CPAs & Advisors |
|
| Neighbor Works Northeast Nebraska |
|
| Northeast Community College |
|
|
| Bank of Hartington |
Nebraska Municipal Power Pool |
| Burt County Public Power District |
North Central Public Power District |
| Cedar-Knox Public Power District |
Platte Valley Bank |
| Cedar Security Bank |
Points West Community Bank |
| Columbus Bank & Trust Company |
Schuyler Development Company |
| Commercial State Bank |
Scribner Bank |
| Cuming County Public Power District |
Stanton County Public Power District |
| Farmers & Merchants State Bank |
State Nebraska Bank & Trust |
| Frontier Bank |
Wayne Community Housing Development Corp. |
| Genoa Community Bank |
Wayne State College |
| Madison County Bank |
West Point Chamber of Commerce |
| Nebraska Dept. of Economic Development |
|
|
| Antelope County |
Colfax County |
Knox County |
Platte County |
| Boone County |
Cuming County |
Madison County |
Stanton County |
| Burt County |
Dixon County |
Nance County |
Thurston County |
| Cedar County |
Dodge County |
Pierce County |
Wayne County |
| City of Albion |
City of North Bend |
Village of Beemer |
Village of Meadow Grove |
| City of Battle Creek |
City of Oakland |
Village of Belden |
Village of Newcastle |
| City of Bloomfield |
City of Osmond |
Village of Cedar Rapids |
Village of Niobrara |
| City of Clarkson |
City of Pierce |
Village of Clearwater |
Village of Oakdale |
| City of Columbus |
City of Plainview |
Village of Coleridge |
Village of Orchard |
| City of Creighton |
City of Ponca |
Village of Craig |
Village of Pender |
| City of Crofton |
City of Schuyler |
Village of Decatur |
Village of Petersburg |
| City of Elgin |
City of Scribner |
Village of Dixon |
Village of Pilger |
| City of Fremont |
City of St. Edward |
Village of Dodge |
Village of Richland |
| City of Fullerton |
City of Stanton |
Village of Duncan |
Village of Rosalie |
| City of Genoa |
City of Tekamah |
Village of Emerson |
Village of Snyder |
| City of Hartington |
City of Tilden |
Village of Fordyce |
Village of Thurston |
| City of Hooper |
City of Wakefield |
Village of Howells |
Village of Verdigre |
| City of Laurel |
City of Wayne |
Village of Inglewood |
Village of Walthill |
| City of Lyons |
City of West Point |
Village of Leigh |
Village of Wausa |
| City of Madison |
City of Wisner |
Village of Martinsburg |
Village of Winnebago |
| City of Newman Grove |
Village of Allen |
Village of Maskell |
Village of Wynot |
| City of Norfolk |
Village of Bancroft |
Village of McLean |
|
NED, Inc. Board of Directors
Rich Jablonski – President – Columbus City Council
Kurt Dostal – Vice President – Citizens State Bank
Loren Kucera – Secretary/Treasurer – Nebraska Business Dev. Center, Wayne
Sally Ganem – Board Member – Fremont City Council
Jim McCarville – Board Member – Northeast Community College
Jim Hans – Board Member – Village of Wynot
Tod W. Voss, MD – Board Member – Village of McLean
NENEDD Board of Directors
Charlie Bahr – Chairman – Columbus City Council
Sally Ganem – Vice Chairwoman – Fremont City Council
Troy Uhlir – Secretary/Treasurer – Madison County Commissioner
Tina Biteghe Bi Ndong – Board Member – West Point Chamber of Commerce
Justin Webb – Board Member – Norfolk City Council
Blake Denton – Board Member – MetLife Investment Management
Benjamin Benton – Board Member – Small Business Development Center, Wayne
Meghann Buresh – Board Member – Nebraska Apex Accelerator
Doug Huttmann – Board Member – Stanton County Commissioner
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
Troy Weyrich – Owner, Renegade Stores, LLC
Brian Osten – Owner, Cedar Valley Insurance
Elizabeth McManigal – Loan Officer, Charter West Bank
|
|
|
.jpg "Members and Boards")
.jpg "Housing Department")
%202.jpg "OOR (600 x 776 px) 2")
.jpg "Business Loans")
