Home /
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 Month
Learn about the history and purpose of Community Development Month, 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
Entrepreneur with Enthusiasm for Football and Hats Receives Encouragement, Support in North Platte
Josh Sperle was living in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife Katelyn and their two young daughters – the youngest six weeks old – when the pandemic struck. Josh was employed in fundraising at the time, and the coronavirus caused major disruptions to his work. This...
Veteran Finds Family Support, Authentic Community, and Second Career in Nebraska
Florida or Nebraska? Those were the two options open to Leo Morales in 2019 for the next stage of his career with the U.S. Air Force. After careful consideration—and with his wife’s input—he chose to serve at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. At the...
Business Innovation Programs Help Entrepreneurs Turn Promising Ideas into Market-Ready Products
The wildfires raging across California have renewed discussion about how to minimize these devastating disasters. Fast Forward, a small business in Kearney, is using funds from Nebraska’s Business Innovation Act (BIA) Program to aid wildfire prevention. They’re...
From Nicaragua to Nebraska—Discovering a Welcoming Culture and Relaxed Pace of Life
Native Nicaraguans Argentina Espinoza and Magdiel “Junior” Garcia, Jr. first arrived in Nebraska during the middle of winter. Yet their strongest initial impression of the state wasn’t the cold weather but the warmth and welcome of the people. Even with the ground...
How an Iowan Became a Huskers Fan and Joined the Nebraska Community
Chad and Lizzie Vietz “Growing up in Iowa, a state divided by the Iowa [Hawkeyes] and Iowa State [Cyclones] teams, it’s so nice that everybody here is a Huskers fan,” said Lizzie Vietz, who attended University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) after growing up in Des Moines....
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...
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-2024 CDBG Investments & Impacts | March 5, 2025 | |
| 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 |
Have questions about Success Stories?
