Brownville Earns Leadership Certification

Brownville, Neb. (pop.132) has earned designation in the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Certified Leadership Community Program. It is the ninth community to earn certification, joining Tecumseh, Madison, Central City, Neligh, Cambridge, Pender, Superior and Minden.

“‘This designation is important for the economic growth of the Village of Brownville,” said Martin F. Hayes, Village Board Chairman.

Highlights for the City of Brownville include:

• Several new businesses and museums opened along Brownville’s Main Street last year. 2015 marks the Village’s 58th annual fall flea market, 57th annual spring flea market, 49th season of Brownville Village Theatre, and 25th season of the Brownville Concert Series.
• During 2015-2016, Brownville will be getting a newly-constructed wastewater facility with a new lagoon system.
• Also in 2015, Brownville implemented a Business Retention and Expansion Program with help from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development; and completed a community assessment facilitated through Nebraska Public Power District’s Economic Development Division, along with undertaking strategic planning activities.
• The Brownville Community Foundation has been able to award community grants annually since 2013.
• In 2009, Brownville was awarded a $20,000 Preserve America Grant to purchase and install markers and gateway signs, and produce a DVD and brochure. This was in connection with being designated a Preserve America Community.
• Brownville completed a Comprehensive Plan for the village in 2004.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development created the program in 2011 with the purpose of helping smaller Nebraska communities deal head-on with challenges and change. Communities must demonstrate having a solid planning and implementation process in place. Communities also must actively take advantage of technology, or be willing to learn to meet program objectives.

Applicant communities are evaluated in:

• Community involvement
• Strategic planning
• Community planning and zoning
• Business and technology development
• Incentives and implementation

For information about Brownville’s ongoing efforts, call Kay Fish, village clerk, at 402-825-4551.

For information about the Certified Leadership Development Community Program, contact Kelly Gewecke at 308-627-3151, kelly.gewecke@nebraska.gov , or visit http://staging.neded.org/community/community-info/community-improvement/leadership-community

CONTACT Kate Ellingson at 800-426-6505, 402-471-3749 or kate.ellingson@nebraska.gov