BEATRICE – Economic developers face a different set of challenges from twenty years ago, as they try to help their communities grow.
Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, K.C. Belitz told members of Gage County Growth Enterprise that some new priorities are appearing in Nebraska.


"Twenty years ago we would have never dreamed about talking about childcare, as an economic development organization. But today, that is clearly a core economic development issue....housing, similarly. We would have never talked about that as an economic development or chamber organization."


The organization known as NGage held their annual meeting at the Southeast Community College Academic Excellence Center, Tuesday. Belitz said the state’s work is refocusing on growing its own people and company assets and attracting more workers to fill available jobs.


Belitz said the state has things going for it…the third highest percentage of people under age 18 among states…..the sixth-highest birth rate. He said the state has more first-year college students who come to Nebraska from other states, than the reverse.  In recruiting people for jobs, Belitz said there are certain key factors to attracting young people who want to stay in the state for the smaller community feel.


"Today, every time in every survey, the top three are the same....safety, good schools and family. What do we have in rural Nebraska? Safety, good schools, family...three for three. For the first time, or at least to a larger degree than in any time in the lifetime of anyone sitting in this room....we have what they want."


NGage Executive Director Rachel Kreikemeier says the local economy showed some gains this past year. "We had just under $31 million in investment throughout the county. Something I am excited about, and maybe a little shocked by as we really haven't gotten our feet on the ground with housing development....we have $7.1 million invested into new housing construction."


About $5.6 million investment was realized in two industrial park companies and a new restaurant set to come to the area. Kreikemeier says NGage and others continue to work on development of a 260-acre site for industry northwest of Beatrice.


During Tuesday’s annual meeting, two new members were elected to the NGage Board of Directors…..Randy Kinney of Kinney Manufacturing and Precise Fabrication... and Samantha Thompson of Griffiths-Hovendick Chapels.