Gering leaders recognized for success in the Economic Development Certified Community program
Ongoing partnerships between the City of Gering (pop. 8,564), regional economic organization Trusted Community Development (TCD), and the Department of Economic Development (DED) continue to create opportunities for business and housing growth in Nebraska’s panhandle. On Monday, October 26th, DED’s Western Development Consultant Brittany Hardin recognized the city for ongoing success in Nebraska's Economic Development Certified Community (EDCC) program. The City of Gering earned its first EDCC certification in 2010 and was recertified in 2015, 2021, and 2026.
Gering is one of 36 Nebraska communities to qualify for the EDCC program, which was established in 2005 by the Nebraska Diplomats and administered by DED. The program recognizes communities for preparedness to attract new industries, expand existing businesses, and innovatively create safe and affordable housing and community development opportunities.
Qualifying communities must build local development programs that engage business leaders and support an ideal environment for economic growth. This includes documenting available sites and buildings, developing online marketing efforts, and implementing strategic planning. EDCC members may earn recertification in the program every five years.
"Gering's recertification as an EDCC is an accomplishment our entire community can take pride in," said Mayor Kent Ewing. "It reflects the dedication of our local businesses, community leaders, residents, and partners who continue working to make Gering a great place to live, work, and invest. We appreciate TCD’s partnership and remain committed to creating opportunities for our community's future."
Since 2022, city leaders have worked closely with TCD (formerly known as Twin Cities Development) to build momentum for new housing opportunities through Nebraska's Rural Workforce Housing Fund (RWHF). TCD received $915,000 from the program to establish new housing units in Gering, Mitchell, and Scottsbluff in 2022 and $557,000 in 2024 for additional units in Gering, Bayard, Kimball, and Scottsbluff.
During this time, TCD allocated more than $5 million to 50 new and rehabilitated housing units across the region, including projects in Gering. DED administers the competitive statewide program, which was established in 2017, and supports single-family homes, duplexes, and multifamily developments.
Gering’s $1.3 million Northfield Haven housing project developed 15 residential units for young adults with developmental disabilities, which was completed in 2022. The project included an on-site resident manager and shared kitchen and laundry facilities. Funding for the project included a $500,000 investment from the State of Nebraska and local donations.
TCD continues to prioritize building relationships with existing business owners through the completion of Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) visits, which are led by DED as part of the EDCC recertification process. The visits provide opportunities to identify business wins and challenges, plans for strategic growth, and resource needs. Over the past five years, TCD has completed 164 BREs in Gering.
"Through our partnership with the City of Gering, we have strengthened business relationships, advanced workforce and housing initiatives, and positioned Gering to compete for future investment," said TCD Interim Executive Director Anthony Gurrola. "Gering's successful EDCC recertification reflects what can be accomplished when a community is committed to its future and works together to achieve it. At TCD, we are proud to support that progress and look forward to building on this momentum together."
TCD leads Career Connections of Western Nebraska, partnering with regional schools, employers, and workforce organizations to connect students with career opportunities. The organization's Career Cabs program exposes tenth-grade students to future employment opportunities in agriculture, business, criminal justice, education, health sciences, and skilled trades.
Recent business developments and expansion projects in Gering include Crossroads Cooperative; BriMark Medical, LLC; Western Sleep Medicine; Sweet Dreams Sleep; Western CPAP & Supply; Infinite Medical Spa; Schluter Eats; Hotel 21; Ace Hardware; and Amazon's Last Mile facility.
In June 2026, TCD announced that the Emmy-nominated television documentary "My Town" had selected western Nebraska as a filming location for its third season. The show highlights development in rural communities across the United States and will complement local efforts to tell success stories about businesses, community assets, quality of life, and a growing workforce across the region.
For additional information on the Economic Development Certified Community program, contact Ashley Rice-Gerlach at 308-665-0919 or ashley.gerlach@nebraska.gov, or visit https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/programs/community/edcc/.