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Community Development Success Stories
Communities across Nebraska benefit from funding through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. We encourage you to read the following success stories, which demonstrate how funding has revitalized cities, towns and homes and transformed the lives of residents — whether by providing safe, affordable and accessible housing; renewing infrastructure; improving water and wastewater systems; renovating tourism centers or senior facilities; or expanding businesses and growing the workforce—these stories are waiting to be told.
Learn more about Community Development Week
Learn about the history and purpose of Community Development Week, as well as why we celebrate in Nebraska, and how your community can get involved.
Tell us your success stories. Stories are featured in our publications and online.
We know that communities across the state work tirelessly on goals to improve their communities for their citizens. We want to recognize projects that have helped communities accomplish those goals.
Success Stories
Trading Bumper-to-Bumper L.A. Traffic for Opportunity, Community, and Belonging in Nebraska
Melissa Figueroa (at left) at the ribbon cutting of Johnson Park in Norfolk Why would someone leave behind the beaches, climate, and glamor of L.A. to move to the middle of the country? That’s a question Melissa Figueroa can answer from firsthand experience. A...
Fremont High School Trailblazes Career Pathways into the Trades with State-of-the-Art Facility, Generous Industry Support
Students learning electrical in the construction tech lab Superintendent Mark Shepard Equipment in CTE Mechatronics lab Sparks flying, engines humming, drills whirring—that’s the scene inside Fremont High School’s new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center. You...
Village of Snyder Showcases Nebraska’s Manufacturing Might
Hunke Manufacturing Smeal Manufacturing Danko Emergency Equipment Wonder Meats: (left to right) Argentina Espinoza, Magdiel Garcia Jr., Marla Prenzlow Mark Kreikemeier (Danko Emergency Equipment) The Village of Snyder has more manufacturing jobs than residents. Locals...
Brehmer Celebrates 50 Years of Manufacturing Quality Farming Equipment, Building Community in Northeast Nebraska
Joe Brehmer Treyton Frahm On October 4th, Brehmer Manufacturing in Lyons held a pancake feed and open house to celebrate its 50th anniversary. It was a fitting way for the family-run, family-friendly business to commemorate the milestone. As a company, Brehmer...
Red Cloud Developing Boutique Hotel and Creative Hub in Historic Downtown, Growing Tourism through Community Development Block Grant Program
The Potter-Wright Building before renovations (photo courtesy of Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture) The Potter-Wright Building after being refurbished as Hotel Garber (photo courtesy of the National Willa Cather Center) In early 2025, Red Cloud will welcome the...
City of Benkelman Builds State and Local Partnerships to Develop Aesthetic Appeal, New Infrastructure
From left to right (Robyn Mathews, Administrative Assistant for the City of Benkelman; Ashley Rice-Gerlach, Southwest Nebraska Business Development Consultant for DED; Tammy Buffington, Mayor of Benkelmen). City honored for continued leadership in Nebraska’s...
Hastings Rejuvenates Downtown, Supports Expansion of Homegrown Business through Community Development Block Grant Program
The downtown district serves as the heart of a community, and Hastings’ city center is beating strong thanks to investments made through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Over the past ten years, Hastings has been awarded $1.45 million of CDBG...
Scottsbluff Enjoys Event-Packed Summer at 18th Street Plaza—Downtown Space Developed with Support of Community Development Block Grants
Downtown Scottsbluff has been humming this summer with live music, farmers markets, and festivals. The city’s Bands on Broadway series offers free concerts on Thursday evenings for ten weeks from June to mid-August. The 18th Street Farmers Market—held every Saturday...
City of Norfolk Creates Inviting Spaces, Beautiful Places with Support from Community Development Block Grants
The community gathers for a concert at River Point Square in downtown Norfolk. Stroll through Norfolk, and you’ll see why the city is generating buzz as a success story in Nebraska community development. Its revitalized downtown has attracted a slew of new restaurants...
Nebraska City Shining Bright with Support from Community Development Block Grants
With apple orchards, Arbor Day Farm, and close proximity to the Missouri River, Nebraska City offers a lot to see and do. City leaders have supplemented these attractions with proactive investments in community amenities. The town’s ongoing improvements not only make...
Share Your Success Story
Tell us your community success stories. Stories are featured online and within our publications.
We know that communities across the state work tirelessly on goals to improve their communities for their citizens. We want to recognize projects that have helped communities accomplish those goals. We appreciate all that you do for your communities and for the state!
Submission Instructions:
- Please download and fill out the Success Story Submission Form.
- Click on the “Submit Your Success Story” button below! This button will direct you to ShareFile for submission.
- Upload your completed Success Story Submission Form and any photographs you have!
Publications
| Title | File Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-2023 CDBG Investments & Impacts | March 14, 2024 | |
| 2018-2022 CDBG Investments & Impacts | March 6, 2023 | |
| 2016-2020 CDBG Investments & Impacts | March 8, 2022 | |
| 2015-2019 CDBG Investments & Impacts | March 8, 2022 | |
| 2014 -2018 CDBG Investments & Impacts | March 8, 2022 | |
| 2013-2017 CDBG Investments & Impacts | March 8, 2022 | |
| 2012-2016 CDBG Investments & Impacts | March 8, 2022 |
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