From small towns to urban developments, Nebraska has a vast array of thriving communities. The Economic Development Certified Community (EDCC) Program, sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats, certifies the communities that display economic development preparedness and a desire for growth.
Communities with the highest level of economic readiness are most likely to succeed in the program. Each applicant community is evaluated on program standards related to their community’s organization, community identified targets and/or markets, community infrastructure, local financing and business assistance, and existing sites and/or building information.
Businesses and EDCC Communities
If you’re looking to grow or move your business, communities with EDCC certification are a perfect place to start. The application process provides communities the opportunity to learn about relevant needs for various business projects and how to strategically address those needs. This program showcases the communities in Nebraska that have positioned themselves well for economic development opportunities.
Economic Development Certified Communities
There are currently 39 Nebraska communities that hold the EDCC designation. So, what sets them apart from the rest? They’ve demonstrated preparedness for business growth and are ready to meet the needs of companies seeking new business and industrial locations. These are the certified communities:
| Albion | Elwood | Imperial | Plattsmouth |
| Alliance | Falls City | Kearney | Seward |
| Auburn | Fremont | Laurel | Scottsbluff |
| Aurora | Geneva | Lexington | Scribner |
| Beatrice | Gering | McCook | Sidney |
| Bellevue | Gothenburg | Nebraska City | South Sioux City |
| Chadron | Grand Island | Norfolk | Wayne |
| Columbus | Hartington | North Platte | West Point |
| Cozad | Hastings | Ogallala | York |
| Crete | Holdrege | Ord |
Why Communities Should Apply
Certified communities display a high level of economic development readiness. It signifies a strong infrastructure, among many other great qualities. Certified communities are:
- Properly identified and documented as ready for economic development opportunities.
- Marketed to businesses and industries.
- Publicly recognized as economic development leaders within our state.
- Positioned to have success in grant funded competitive projects.
EDCC Program Objective and Guidelines
Certification will require a serious commitment from the participating community. Applicant communities are expected to have a full-time economic development director focused on business retention and expansion efforts and recruitment initiatives.
- Provide communities with a specific checklist of items that define proactive communities.
- Identify communities with meaningful economic development agendas and capabilities increasing their opportunities for success.
- Recognize community organizational infrastructure readiness and ability to respond to existing and prospective business and industry needs.
- Encourage strategic cooperation among Nebraska’s economic development organization.
This program is not a competitive process. Certification for individual communities results from meeting specific criteria. The designation will be reserved for those communities who exhibit documented economic development readiness. Each applicant community will be judged against the program standards.
These include (but are not limited to):
- Organization
- Identified targets and/or markets
- Community infrastructure
- Local financing and business assistance
- Controlled site or building information
Don’t take it from us, take it from people who have gone through the EDCC certification process. See what they had to say about their certification process.
Certification Maintenance
Once a community is successfully certified, it will receive annual reviews of the community’s economic development website and LOIS information. Plus, the certified community will need to complete a recertification application every five years that addresses the following standards:
- Organization
- Infrastructure
- Identified targets and/or markets
- Business retention and expansion program
- Strategic planning
- Marketing efforts
- Long-range funding plan
- Labor market information and workforce attraction efforts
- Housing initiatives
- Economic development evaluation
Recertification Process
Certification is good for five years with annual reviews. At that point, a recertification process is necessary. DED will notify communities six months before their expiration.
Alternative Options
The EDCC Program is not realistic for all communities, but the process is invaluable to communities regardless of size. The application process helps to identify capacity, stimulate focused planning and deliberately structure websites.
If your community does not meet the guidelines for the EDCC Program, consider the Leadership Certified Community program. For more information, contact Kelly Gewecke at 308-627-3151 or kelly.gewecke@nebraska.gov.
For more information on EDCC certification:
Ashley Rice-Gerlach
Economic Development Certified Community Program Manager