1 5
Sept. 30, 2025
111 S. 1st St. | Norfolk, Nebraska 68701 | 402-379-1150 |www.nenedd.org
Facebook
NENEDD Newsletter Header 4

Columbus Day 3

Employee Spotlight 2

Sandra Goode
Community Planner

NENEDD_2025-14 3
Basic info: Sandra Goode, Community Planner, 1 year

Tell us about your family: Jon is my other half.  Kassidy is my oldest and married to Coltin. They have 2 fabulous grandkids for me-Everett-5 and Ava-3.  Gannon is married to Mara and no grands yet!! Gage is engaged to Lacey, and they get married next May. My extended family includes Jon’s 3 children—Connor, married to Mersadies with one son Sutton, Arianne is married to Kolter and they have a beautiful daughter Linden. Alannah is single and living the dream.

Tell us about your pets: Two Golden Retrievers—Piper (2 years) and Boone (1.5 years). My husband had never had a dog and always wanted a Golden Retriever, so we got two!!  They are lovely family pets, but the hair!!!

What is your favorite movie/favorite movie line? I like movies that entertain me and make me laugh. I don’t have a favorite movie but anything with Melissa McCarthy!

What is your dream vacation? (Have you already taken it?) I would just like to take an actual vacation. I got my passport last year finally so maybe in the next 5-10 years lol.  A little Turks & Caicos would be lovely for a start…

What is your favorite song and why? Currently I’m liking Max McNown “Better Me for You”. It’s not my typical genre, but I have been playing it on repeat. 

What is the most rewarding part of your job? I am really enjoying working with my communities and getting them excited about future projects.

What is your favorite holiday/time of the year and why? I won’t pick a holiday because there is too much stress around all of them. My favorite time of year would be Spring because everything starts to come alive and summer is coming, and winter is behind me!

What are you grateful for? My life and family. They are my world!!

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Probably Mexican like tacos or chips and queso—they both go great with margaritas!!

What kind of car did you drive in high school? I don’t really know the kind…it was big and yellow with the word SCHOOLBUS on the side. The other option was the family station wagon. Ugh I had a terrible childhood.

What word best describes you? Strong or resilient would describe me.  I grew up being tough and it kind of just stuck with me. Probably comes from having to ride the school bus in high school!!

What’s a fun or interesting fact about you? I live on a “farm” and we raise mini donkeys. They are definitely fun and interesting. Most people ask what we do with them…my answer is…  We LOVE them!!!

 

Copy of Brown Grey Modern Elegant Real Estate Email Header (9)
62449855_2333801363542820_7588382196059078656_n 3

The Northeast Economic Development, Inc. (NED, Inc.) and the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) Board of Directors held their monthly meetings on Wednesday, September 24th, 2025, at the Niobrara Country Café located at 89141 NE-14, Niobrara, NE. 68760.

At the NED, Inc. meeting, there were special guests, Mona Weatherwax-City Clerk/Treasurer for the Village of Niobrara, Jessica Nielsen-board member for the Village of Niobrara, and Stacy Miller with Knox County Economic Development.

Stacy Miller gave a presentation regarding what has been happening in Knox County and an update on tourism in Knox County.

A business loan was approved in the amount of $127,000 for Norfolk HW, LLC, d/b/a HOTWORX® to start a HOTWORX®, fitness studio in Norfolk.  To open a 24-hour infrared fitness studio.

At the NENEDD meeting a business loan was approved in the amount of $50,000 to Mary and Mark Smith d/b/a M & M Studio, to build a new facility in Meadow Grove, which will then allow Mary to move her salon from Tilden to Meadow Grove.

Also discussed at the NENEDD meeting, there was an approval of NENEDD’s EDA RLF 2 Plan. With assistance of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), to help applicants “prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus” or respond to “economic injury as a result of coronavirus”, NENEDD staff prepared the EDA CARES Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Plan in 2020. (EDA CARES RLF). This will no longer be referred to as EDA CARES RLF, but simply EDA RLF 2. This is an update to NENEDD’s EDA RLF 2 Plan- Investment No. 05-79- 05986.

The complete minutes of the September 24, 2025 NED Inc. Board of Directors meeting can be viewed here: NED Inc.

The complete minutes of the September 24, 2025 NENEDD Board of Directors meeting can be viewed here: NENEDD

The October Northeast Economic Development, Inc. Board of Directors and the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District Board of Directors meetings will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, via conference call at the following locations: Norfolk City Offices at 309 5th St. in Norfolk; Columbus Public Library, 2500 14th St., Columbus, NE. 68601; Fremont City Hall – Second Floor Conference Room, 400 E. Military Ave., Fremont, NE 68025; WSC campus, Gardner Hall (Building #20) Room 101 Wayne, NE. 68787. The NED, Inc. meeting will begin at 7 p.m. with the NENEDD meeting to follow. The public is welcome to attend.
Conferences Events 2

NECC 3

Zach Fisher, NENEDD Community Planner, attended the Northeast Community College Community Roundtable Discussion at the Lifelong Learning Center on Thursday, September 25th.

The event brought together many community leaders to discuss and brainstorm ideas, as well as share their perspectives to help NECC build a strategic paln for the future. It was a well-attended event with around 75 local leaders present. As a Northeast Community College Alumnus, Zach was honored to be a part of the discussion.

Schuyler

Tracy Sporleder & Zach Fisher, NENEDD Community Planners, attended the Schuyler Downtown Focus Group on Thursday, September 25th.

The purpose was to bring current and potential businesses leaders together on how to improve downtown Schuyler with a goal of shaping a long-term vision, exploring funding options, and joining efforts to guide downtown projects. With NENEDD’s experience with Downtown Revitalizations and helping communities grow their downtowns in thriving areas, their input was greatly appreciated.
Housing Department

NENEDD’s Housing Department assisted with the following throughout the month of September:

  • 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
  • Participated in the HomeNE Webinar facilitated by South Central Economic Development District.
  • NROC 1st Thursday Peer Exchange
  • Attended Nebraska Housing Developers Association Board and Policy Committee Zoom meetings
  • Presented at Dertoma Club in Columbus.
  • Participated in NBO Town Hall.
DHA-NEW USE THIS 2

OOR (600 x 776 px) 2

Contractors Needed 2
Community Planning

 NENEDD Community Planners just finished Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant writing season, with a number of applications — including five public works grants and a planning grant — 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 September:
  • Prepared Community Attitude Surveys for the City of Pierce, the City of Albion, and the City of Madison.
  • Conducted a wage interviews in the Cities of Columbus and Fremont
  • Conducted Public Hearing for the Village of Walthill
  • Attended a Legacy Group Meeting in Leigh
  • Attended a Battle Creek Scoring Committee meeting for a CCCFF Grant
  • Implemented Income and Attitude Surveys for the Village of Dodge
  • Attended City Council meeting with the City of Crofton
  • Administered numerous active grants, including Planning grants, Downtown Revitalization Grants, and Public Works grants
  • Participated in the HomeNE Webinar
  • Submitted 6 CDBG Grant Applications to Nebraska DED
  • Attended the Northeast Community College Community Roundtable Event
  • Attended the Schuyler Downtown Focus Group Event
  • Attended the NENEDD/NED Inc. Board Meeting in Niobrara.
  • Conducted an Income Survey for the Village of Emerson.
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, Zach Fisher, Community Planner at zach@nenedd.org, or Tracy Sporleder, Community Planner at tracy@nenedd.org or call 402-379-1150.
               Business Loans
Business Loan Activities for September

November business loan application timeline: 

  • 10-27-25 (M) – deadline to receive all application docs.
  • 11-4-25 (Tu) – loan summary is provided to the Northeast Loan Committee for their review.
  • 11-10-25 (M) – 10:30 AM – Northeast Loan Committee meets to review applications and make recommendation to the board of directors.
  • 11-19-25 (W) – 7:00 PM – NENEDD/NED, Inc. Board meetings to take official action.
                                                   Loan Approvals:
  • M & M Studios – Meadow Grove
  • Norfolk HW, LLC (HOTWORX) – Norfolk
Loan Closings:
  • REPS Fitness – Hartington
  • Pearson Motor Company – Hartington
  • Scooters Coffee – West Point
  • Erica Stephenson Beauty Salon – North Bend
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 ½ 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/
For more information, please contact Jeff Christensen, Business Loan Specialist,
at 402-649-7223 or jeff@nenedd.org
NROC

    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.

Untitled (100 x 100 px) (1)

DED

DED Announces Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund Investments across the State
NAHTF-Home-Wauneta-16x9-1-980x551 3

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) is pleased to announce the recipients of $10.18 million in awards under the 2025 application cycle of the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF).

Cuming County, a member of Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) was awarded $810,000 through the NAHTF program, following a successful grant application. NENEDD assisted in writing and submitting the grant application on behalf of Cuming County Economic Development.

“Congratulations to Cuming County Economic Development (CCED) on receiving $810,000 from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund,” said Andrea Larson, NENEDD Deputy Director. “This award will help build four duplexes (8 rental units) within a new 17-acre development across from the West Point-Beemer School. The project is an important step toward meeting local housing needs by providing quality, income-restricted housing options in Northeast Nebraska. NENEDD is proud to partner with CCED as David Branch and his team make this vision a reality.”

The Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) was established by the Nebraska Legislature in 1996 through the Nebraska Affordable Housing Act. Enacted to address Nebraska’s affordable housing needs, the Act calls for a portion of the documentary stamp tax from Nebraska real estate transactions to be transferred to the NAHTF. DED administers the fund to support the development of quality, affordable housing across the state. Having a ready supply of reasonably priced housing helps communities recruit new families, attract businesses, and ensure residents at all income levels can enjoy the Good Life.

David Branch, Executive Director at CCED, said the housing trust funds will support Cuming County’s large-scale housing development that is currently underway.

“The Nebraska Affordable Trust Fund Award is the final piece of the puzzle that will produce one hundred new units in the new West Point Housing Development in the next few years. NENEDD has been an outstanding partner in advancing the future housing development,” Branch said. “Every grant for the development was due to the hard work of the NENEDD Team, and CCED extends their sincere gratitude and endless appreciation for them.”

The NAHTF program assists local units of government, public housing authorities, community action agencies, nonprofit organizations, and for-profits working in partnership with one of these entities. NAHTF dollars may be applied to support a variety of housing-related projects, including the construction of new units and rehabilitation of a community’s existing housing stock. The program also supports first-time homebuyers through direct homebuyer assistance such as down-payment and closing costs.

The NAHTF application cycle for 2025 was highly competitive. DED received 55 full applications, requesting a total of $29,479,816.

Today’s awards will assist 22 individual projects and support the development of at least 296 housing units. Projects include new home construction, construction of new rental housing, rehabilitation of existing structures, and homebuyer assistance.

“Nebraska is a national leader in homebuilding and housing affordability, and NAHTF makes a vital contribution to this success,” said DED Interim Director Maureen Larsen. “This year’s NAHTF funding cycle attracted outstanding applications. Congratulations to the program’s 2025 awardees! Thank you to the additional organizations that, while not awarded this round, are doing praiseworthy work to develop high-quality housing for Nebraskans.”

Awards from the 2025 NAHTF application cycle are listed below. All award amounts are subject to a contract review and final underwriting process. For more information about the program, including how to apply, visit https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/programs/housing/nahtf.
Members and Boards
2025-2026 Associate Members
Diamond
  pinbank     Picture1     Picture2
Platinum
Picture3
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
McMill CPAs & Advisors
Neighbor Works Northeast Nebraska
Northeast Community College
Bronze  
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
Frontier Bank
Genoa Community Bank
Madison County Bank
County Members
Antelope County Colfax County Platte County
Boone County Cuming County Stanton County
Burt County Knox County Thurston County
Cedar County Nance County Wayne County
Community Members
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
City of Elgin City of Stanton Village of Inglewood
City of Fremont City of Tilden Village of Leigh
City of Genoa City of Wakefield Village of Martinsburg
City of Hartington City of Wayne Village of McLean
City of Hooper City of West Point Village of Meadow Grove
City of Laurel Village of Allen Village of Newcastle
City of Lyons Village of Bancroft Village of Niobrara
City of Madison Village of Beemer Village of Oakdale
City of Newman Grove Village of Belden Village of Orchard
City of Norfolk Village of Cedar Rapids Village of Pender
City of North Bend Village of Coleridge Village of Petersburg
City of Oakland Village of Craig Village of Pilger
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
  • 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
To stay connected and informed, follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter to receive all of our latest news and updates.