Have a project idea? Start with NENEDD!
Did you know that NENEDD membership includes assistance with identifying funding opportunities and preparing grant applications at no additional cost?
And we’re not just talking about one type of project!
From parks and recreation, community facilities and infrastructure to housing, economic development and other community priorities, our team can help members explore potential federal, state, local and private funding opportunities.
The best part? You don’t need to know which grant you need before you call us.
If your community has a project on its wish list (or even an idea you’re not sure is fundable) reach out to NENEDD. We can help you explore the possibilities, identify potential resources and determine next steps.
Your NENEDD membership is a resource. Put it to work for your community!
For More Information
The Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) has completed the draft 2027–2032 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and is inviting public review and comment.
The CEDS serves as Northeast Nebraska’s five-year roadmap for economic development, identifying regional priorities and strategies to strengthen economic resilience, support business growth, expand housing opportunities, enhance infrastructure, develop the workforce, and improve quality of life throughout the region.
The draft plan reflects extensive public input gathered through regional surveys, community town halls, stakeholder engagement, and guidance from the NENEDD Board of Directors and NED, Inc. Board, serving jointly as the CEDS Steering Committee.
In accordance with U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) requirements, the draft CEDS is available for a 30-day public comment period. Review the draft CEDS
Comment Period: August 6, 2026 – September 6, 2026
Submit Comments: andrea@nenedd.org
We encourage residents, businesses, community organizations, and local governments to review the plan and share their feedback before the final CEDS is adopted.
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NOTICE OF MEETING
Next meeting date and time:
August 26, 2026, 7 p.m.
City of Norfolk Offices – Training Room, 309 N. 5th St., Norfolk, NE 68701
1 Million Cups – Norfolk (Weekly)
- When: Every Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m.
- Where: Intersect Coworking and Incubator, 509 West Norfolk Avenue, Norfolk, NE 68701
- Details: A recurring, professional networking and business incubator event where entrepreneurs present ideas and receive feedback from the community.
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The Foundation for Rural Service Comminity Grants
The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) offers grants of $250 to $5,000 to support projects that strengthen the quality of life in rural communities. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, schools, community groups, municipalities, and other local organizations.
Priority is given to technology and broadband focused projects that encourage community participation, create lasting benefits, and help build more sustainable rural communities. Projects should either be fully covered by the $5,000 maximum award or already have at least 75% of their funding secured.
Applicants must partner with a broadband provider that is a member of The Rural Broadband Association. Community organizations should contact their NTCA member partner for its local deadline, as the provider must review and submit the application to FRS.
Deadline: Sept. 4, 2026
Click here for more information. |
Target Community Engagement Funds
Eligible nonprofits and schools have until Sept. 4 to apply for Target’s Community Engagement Funds program, which supports localized projects in communities where Target stores and distribution centers are located.
Grants range from $1,000 to $15,000 and prioritize programs focused on basic needs, youth development, community revitalization, green spaces, arts and culture, and workforce development.
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities and K-12 schools, community colleges, colleges, and universities. Schools must have a National Center for Education Statistics number.
Deadline: Sept. 4, 2026
Click here for more information.
DED to Offer Training on the LocationOne Information System (LOIS)
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) invites Nebraska communities and economic developers to register for upcoming training webinars on how to best use the LocationOne Information System (LOIS). The webinars are being offered at no cost. They will take place on September 1st and September 16th at 10:00 a.m. CT.
LOIS helps communities market available sites and buildings directly through their economic development websites, increasing visibility with site selectors and companies exploring expansion and investment opportunities. During the webinar, DED’s team and LocationOne staff will share best practices for effectively promoting communities and available properties using LOIS.
The webinars will also highlight new LOIS features, including Lightcast Workforce Reports and Heat Maps, as well as enhanced GIS map layers from ArcGIS Living Atlas—powerful tools designed to support and strengthen the site selection process.
To learn more about the latest LOIS features and reports, and to register for an upcoming webinar, click the preferred registration link below. Then, complete the short registration form. A confirmation email with webinar details will be sent immediately after registration.
LOIS Training: Option #1
Date: September 1st 10:00-11:00 a.m. CT
Registration Link: Click here to complete registration
LOIS Training: Option #2
Date: September 16th 10:00-11:00 a.m. CT
Registration Link: Click here to complete registration
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Economic Development Summit
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 @ 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Lincoln
1040 P St
Lincoln, NE 68508 Register Here |
Register today for NPPD’s Site Readiness Assistance Program webinar coming up on Wednesday, September 16th at 10 AM CST.
When competing for an economic development project, communities often focus on what can make them stand out to the prospective business. While this is important and can be what ultimately lands the project, equally as important is ensuring that your site can check the boxes to meet the needs of that prospective business. NPPD’s Site Readiness Assistance Program (SRAP) is designed to help your community with just that.
NPPD’s SRAP assists communities in bringing land for industrial use, technology parks, or commercial mixed-use development up to industry recognized standards by helping to fund necessary due diligence items. The program is designed to encourage communities to complete these items to help make their sites more marketable.
Below is a listing of key program dates. Please review the attached PDF for more detailed information.
SRAP Key Dates for Applicants
- Informational Webinar- Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 10:00 AM CST
- Pre-Application Due – October 30, 2026
- Full Application Due – December 4, 2026
- Awardees Announced – January 15, 2027
- Deadline to complete work or apply for extension – October 29, 2027
- Deadline to complete work with Extension – December 10, 2027
If you have any questions about the Site Readiness Assistance Program, please contact the Program Coordinator, Sara Groteluschen, at smgrote@nppd.com |
2026 NHDA Annual Meeting & Fundraiser Event at Topgolf in Omaha
Topgolf Omaha – 908 N 102nd St – Omaha, NE
Contact carol@housingdevelopers.org for information regarding sponsorships and early registrations.
| USDA’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI)’s Local and Regional Healthy Food Financing Partnerships Program
Regional, state, and local public-private partnerships have until Sept. 18 to apply for funding through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative Partnerships Program, a USDA program designed to improve access to fresh, healthy foods in underserved communities.
A total of $20 million is available, with individual awards of up to $3 million. Capacity Building grants range from $200,000 to $1 million, while Credit Enhancement grants range from $500,000 to $3 million.
Eligible applicants must include at least two partners, one of which must be a public entity such as a local, state, or Tribal government, authority, or agency. Other partners may include nonprofits, businesses, foundations, financial institutions, food policy councils, and community organizations.
Deadline: Sept. 18, 2026
Click here for more information. |
Brownfields Job Training GrantsThe Environmental Protection Agency is offering approximately $6 million to support job training programs that recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents in full-time environmental careers. The agency expects to award 20 grants of up to $300,000 each, with no matching funds required.
Training may cover environmental assessment and cleanup, hazardous waste, chemical risk management, stormwater management, green infrastructure installation, and contamination mitigation. Funded programs should help strengthen local workforces while supporting brownfield cleanup and revitalization efforts within their communities.
Deadline: Sept. 23, 2026
Click here for more information. |
The League of Nebraska Municipalities Annual Conference is coming up September 23–25 at the Cornhusker Marriott in Lincoln!
This is a great opportunity for municipal officials, community leaders, and professionals to connect, learn about the latest issues affecting Nebraska communities, and discover new ideas to help your community thrive.
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Save the Date: 2026 Investing in Rural America Conference
This year’s conference will showcase innovative strategies for rural prosperity across several key areas:
- Economic development
- Small business development
- Financial inclusion
- Workforce pathways
- And more!
This conference creates a valuable space for attendees to:
-Connect with influential rural stakeholders from across the nation
-Learn about cutting-edge approaches to rural economic vitality
-Engage in discussions that shape the future of rural America.
Click for details
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2026 CDBG Certified Administrators Initial/Recertification Training
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) will host its annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Certified Grant Administrator Training September 29 – October 1, 2026, with an optional CDBG assistance offered the morning of October 2nd. Registration for the training is now open at this link |
Registration Now Open for NADO’s 2026 Annual Training Conference
NADO’s 2026 Annual Training Conference (ATC) is your opportunity to connect with Regional Development Organization (RDO) leaders and staff, elected officials, and policymakers from across the country for four days of learning, inspiration, and collaboration! Scheduled for October 19-22, 2026 in Reno, NV, the conference includes a mix of plenaries, hands-on training sessions, peer-led best practice presentations, small-group conversation cafés, and networking events.
NADO staff are currently organizing a slate of timely and engaging sessions. Attendees can look forward to content spanning regional planning, housing, data and measurement, Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs), data centers, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), brownfields, Main Street revitalization, and much more. Sessions will also focus on strengthening RDO capacity, offering practical guidance on leadership development, communications, board engagement, and grants management. Ten mobile workshops will offer opportunities to explore Reno and the surrounding region that will cover a range of economic and community development issues. Click here to access the conference page for more information, a draft agenda, and the registration link.
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We are the ones we’ve been waiting for!
On November 12, hundreds of ambitious Nebraskans will convene in Kearney. This year we honor the shared courage that fuels local leadership, strengthens our hometowns, and shapes a brighter future for all Nebraskans. Join us for powerful stories, meaningful connection, peer-to-peer learning, and a celebration of what’s possible when courage is something we hold in common.
2026 Annual Celebration & Training
Thursday, November 12
Kearney, Nebraska
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Executive Director
Deputy Director
Fiscal Officer
Business Loan
Specialist
Housing Specialist
Community Planner
Sandra Goode
Zach Fisher
Georgette Sweeney
Administrative
Assistant
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