 |
| September 3, 2026
|
|
Please join us in welcoming Georgette Sweeney to the NENEDD team!
Georgette joins NENEDD as a Community Planner, specializing in rural development, administration, and civic engagement. She holds an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Business Administration from Northeast Community College and is working toward her Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) certification, which she will complete in October 2026.
Georgette brings a strong passion for community involvement and leadership. A graduate of the Leadership Norfolk program, she currently serves as President of the Norfolk Rotary Club, Vice President of the Madison Booster Club, and a PR Board Member for Teammates of Madison. She is also actively involved with the Madison Multicultural Council and Heartsafe Madison County.
We are excited to have Georgette on the NENEDD team and look forward to the experience, leadership, and passion she brings to serving Northeast Nebraska! |
Northeast Economic Development (NED, Inc.) Board and the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) Board, met Wednesday, August 26, 2026, and were held at the City of Norfolk Offices – Training Room, 309 N 5th St. Norfolk, NE 68701.
The complete minutes of the August 26, 2026, NED, Inc. Board of Directors meeting can be viewed here: NED, Inc.
The complete minutes of the August 26, 2026, NENEDD Board of Directors meeting can be viewed here: NENEDD
The next meetings will be held Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at A Full Cup restaurant located at 803 10th Street, Stanton, NE 68779. NED, Inc. will begin at 7 p.m., with NENEDD to follow. The public is welcome to attend. |
 |
.jpg "Housing Department")
NENEDD’s Housing Department throughout the month of August:
- 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
- Attended Nebraska Housing Developers Association Board of Directors and Policy Committee meetings
 |
The following surveys are currently active and being conducted by NENEDD
|
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
|
USDA Surveys
Income Surveys
- Village of Doge
- Village of Leigh
|
|
Downtown Revitalization
- Norfolk
- Fremont
- Columbus
- Pierce
|
Public Works
- Wayne
- Craig
- Newman Grove
- Lyons
- Newcastle
- Schuyler
- Battle Creek
- Richland
- Walthill
- Fullerton
- McLean
|
Planning
- Newman Grove
- Niobrara
- Decatur
|
CCCFF
- Battle Creek
- Norfolk
- Madison
- Pierce
|
Other
- Wakefield Reuse – Housing
- Wayne – RCRP
- Norfolk – ARPA QTC
- Madison – EMCV
- Norfolk Reuse – Housing
|
|
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 but are not limited to 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 – Funding is available for new owner-occupied and rental housing units, as well as rehabilitation of existing owner-occupied and rental housing units. These grants have a pre-application deadline in November and a full application deadline in January. Communities interested in applying should notify NENEDD as soon as possible. The deadline to express interest is to be determined and is subject to a waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund – Housing development projects and nonprofit building/operating assistance grants generally have a pre-application deadline in February and a full application deadline in May. Program administration changes are currently underway, and the application deadlines may change. 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).
.jpg "Business Loans")
NENEDD and NED, Inc. approved loans supporting two expansions continuing their commitment to economic growth in Northeast Nebraska.
Expansion
Wolken Therapy and Wellness, LLC, is planning the purchase of KEL Physical Therapy & Wellness (KEL-PT) located at 214 N. Pearl Street in Wayne. The NENEDD loan will support the acquisition and successful transition of this physical therapy clinic. The clinic has been in the community since 2020 offering a full spectrum of services including injury prevention and ergonomics services in the workplace: physical therapy to alleviate pain, help heal injuries or in need of rehab following surgery, “return to sport/life” training, and small group classes for post rehabilitation treatment and to enhance sport or functional performance. The project will maintain two existing jobs and create two additional jobs.
Expansion
Dana and Sarah Cox are planning the expansion of Cox Tire Service, LLC and will purchase a building located at 204 N. 6th Street in Albion, make renovations, and purchase equipment. The business provides tire sales and repairs for passenger vehicles, light trucks, heavy trucks, agricultural equipment, and pivot irrigation systems. With this expansion, Cox Tire Service will begin providing truck alignments, oil changes, and related vehicle maintenance services for individual, agricultural, commercial, and fleet customers. The project will maintain five jobs.
August loans Closed
Andy’s Electric, LLC (Laurel) – $45,000
Sweet Heat Salon Studio, LLC (Wayne) – $20,000
Bloomquist Properties, LLC (Norfolk) – $105,000
October business loan application timeline:
- 9-4-26 (F) – deadline to receive all application docs
- 9-15-26 (Tu) – loan summary is provided to the Northeast Loan Committee for their review.
- 9-21-26 (Tu) 10:30 AM – Northeast Loan Committee meets to review applications and make recommendation to the board of directors.
- 9-30-26 (W) 7:00 PM – NENEDD/NED, Inc. Board meetings to take official action
Revolving Loan Funds: NENEDD and 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.
For more information, please contact Jeff Christensen, Business Loan Specialist,
at 402-649-7223 or jeff@nenedd.org
Our partners at USDA are offering funding opportunities that may benefit communities and organizations across Northeast Nebraska. Learn more about eligibility requirements and application details below.
If your community, nonprofit, or organization has a project in mind, now is a great time to explore available funding. Be sure to review the eligibility requirements and application details to see if your project qualifies.
For More Information |
Funding Opportunities Supporting
Community and Economic Development
Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides loan guarantees up to $250 million to assist in the development, construction, and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies. These technologies are: advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased products. Application deadline: Open
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides loan guarantees to commercial lenders for loans to eligible rural businesses. Application deadline: Accepted from lenders year-round.
Rural Business Investment Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides a Rural Business Investment Company (RBIC) license to newly formed developmental capital organizations to help meet the equity capital investment needs in rural communities. Application deadline: Accepted year-round
Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage and solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Application deadline: Open
Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program
Health Resources & Services Administration
A federally funded initiative that offers comprehensive technical assistance to rural hospitals to address financial and operational challenges and maintain essential health services for their communities. Application Deadline: 9/30/2026
For More Information
|
|
|
The Nebraska Regional Officials Council (NROC) has created a project impact map which shows grant and loan funding projects throughout the region.
%20(1).jpg "Untitled (100 x 100 px) (1)")
|
2026-2027 Associate MembersDiamond
| Platinum |
  |
| GoldSilverBlack Hills EnergyBankFirstCharter West BankClarkson BankCitizens State BankFaith HealthElkhorn Valley Bank & TrustFirst Bank & Trust of FullertonF&M BankFirst Northeast Bank of NebraskaFirst Community BankJEO Consulting GroupGreat Plains State BankLoup River Public Power DistrictHomestead BankMidwest BankMcMill CPAs & AdvisorsStanton State BankNeighbor Works Northeast NebraskaState Nebraska Bank & TrustNortheast Community CollegeWayne America, Inc.
|
Bank of Dixon CountyMadison County BankBank of HartingtonNebraska Investment Finance AuthorityBurt County Public Power DistrictNorth Central Public PowerCedar-Knox Public Power DistrictPlatte Valley BankCedar Security BankPoints West Community BankColumbus Bank & Trust CompanySchuyler Community Development, Inc.Cornhusker Public Power DistrictStanton County Public Power DistrictCuming County Public Power DistrictWayne State CollegeElkhorn Rural Public Power District
| Bronze |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Farmers & Merchants State Bank |
|
| Frontier Bank |
|
| Genoa Community Bank |
|
|
|
Antelope CountyCuming CountyPierce CountyBoone CountyDodge CountyPlatte CountyBurt CountyKnox CountyStanton CountyCedar CountyMadison CountyThurston CountyColfax CountyNance CountyWayne County
City of AlbionCity of PierceVillage of CrestonVillage of PenderCity of Battle CreekCity of PlainviewVillage of DecaturVillage of PetersburgCity of ClarksonCity of PoncaVillage of DixonVillage of PilgerCity of ColumbusCity of RandolphVillage of DodgeVillage of RichlandCity of CreightonCity of ScribnerVillage of DuncanVillage of SnyderCity of CroftonCity of St. EdwardVillage of EmersonVillage of ThurstonCity of ElginCity of StantonVillage of FordyceVillage of VerdigreCity of FremontCity of TildenVillage of HowellsVillage of WalthillCity of FullertonCity of WakefieldVillage of InglewoodVillage of WausaCity of GenoaCity of WayneVillage of LeighVillage of WynotCity of HartingtonCity of West PointVillage of MartinsburgCity of HooperCity of WisnerVillage of MagnetCity of LaurelVillage of AllenVillage of McLeanCity of LyonsVillage of BancroftVillage of McLeanCity of MadisonVillage of BeemerVillage of Meadow GroveCity of Newman GroveVillage of BeldenVillage of NewcastleCity of NorfolkVillage of Cedar RapidsVillage of NiobraraCity of OaklandVillage of ColeridgeVillage of OakdaleCity of OsmondVillage of CraigVillage of Orchard
NED, Inc. Board of Directors
- Loren Kucera – President – City of Clarkson
- Tod W. Voss, MD – Vice President – Village of McLean
- Troy Uhlir – Secretary/Treasurer – Madison County Commissioner
- Kurt Dostal – Board Member – Citizens State Bank
- Sally Ganem – Board Member – Fremont City Council
- Charlie Bahr – Board Member – Columbus City Council
- Jason Ash – Board Member – Weiland Doors
NENEDD Board of Directors
- Meghann Buresh – Chairwoman – Nebraska Apex Accelerator
- Blake Denton – Vice Chairman – MetLife Investment Management
- Benjamin Benton – Secretary/Treasurer – Director – Nebraska Business Development Center, Wayne State College
- Rich Jablonski – Board Member – Columbus City Council
- 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
- Sally Ganem – Board Member – Fremont City Council
Business RLF Committee
- Chad Anderson – Pierce City Administrator
- Loren Kucera – City of Clarkson
- 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. |
|
|
|
.jpg "Members and Boards")
