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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
Major Talent Unites Veterans with Careers
Having retired from his military career, Tim den Hoed is spending his second career helping fellow veterans navigate the post-military transition to civilian life. Through his Omaha-based business, Major Talent, Tim unites veterans with employers looking for...
Kenyan Discovers Nebraska’s Small Business Opportunities, Founds Restaurant and Coffee Bar in Norfolk
“In a nutshell, this is everything I wanted to do in life,” said Daniel Orwa, referring to being a successful entrepreneur in Norfolk. Orwa was born in Kenya and lived in South Africa, Iowa, West Virginia, Illinois, and South Dakota. But he chose Nebraska as the place...
Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (CCCFF) Celebrates 25th Year of Impacting Nebraska Communities
In 1999, the Nebraska Legislature enacted the Local, Civic, Cultural, and Convention Center Financing Act, establishing a source of funding for community development projects. Now in its 25th year, the fund—now known as the Civic and Community Center...
Veterans Find Great Schools, Wholesome Culture, and Growing Economy in Nebraska
Joe Brownell, the director of the University of Nebraska's Military and Veteran Success Center, talks with student veterans (Photo by Greg Nathan, University Communication Photography). “Make sure you ask about Nebraska. You'll be surprised. There's no place like...
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...
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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