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For 150 years, Thayer County has been a prime Midwest place where residents come together to accomplish big things. From being home to the first four cities along the ABC railway back in the 1800s to saving a local restaurant and building a state-of-the-art wellness center in the 2000s, Thaye...Continue Reading

What does “prime” mean? Prime is the best possible quality or a state of being the strongest/most successful. With multiple communities under our belt and being less than a day’s drive from 13 major metropolitan areas, Thayer County is indeed a prime Midwest place in a prime Midwest location.  Community In ou...Continue Reading

If the recent pandemic has taught business leaders anything, it’s that solid readiness planning through diversification and data analysis can reduce the impact when a crisis hits. Nearly half of operations leaders surveyed in the recent PwC US Pulse Survey indicated that reducing supply chain disruptions is “very important.” But few companie...Continue Reading

While 2020 will certainly be remembered for the COVID-19 pandemic, the year also turned out to be transformative on the diversity and inclusion front (D&I). While much of the world sat socially distanced in their homes, we watched as our fellow Americans expressed outrage and grief over the gaps i...Continue Reading

As a business mentor, marketer, writer and storyteller, along with a successful stint as an entrepreneur, I get asked this question many times: “Can you share the most important mantras for becoming a successful first-time entrepreneur?” Here are my half-dozen tips for building a successful new business:  1. Timing is everything Many people think that money and a good idea are all it take...Continue Reading

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a myriad of corporations have overhauled the way they operate. Now, with the possibility of a return to the office on the horizon, but with nearly two-thirds of US workers wanting to remain working from home (according to Gallup), organizations need to develo...Continue Reading

If there’s one thing that sets a successful organization apart, it’s the ability to stay on the cusp of innovation and technology.  Creating an innovation-friendly work environment was one of the top priorities on my entrepreneurial journey. With that realization came the understanding that I would need to face the challenges, as well a...Continue Reading

LINCOLN — Gov. Pete Ricketts, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture are set to host the Nebraska Ag and Economic Development Summit on Aug. 4 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney. Registration for the event now is open at negovsummit.com. Former U.S. Ambassador to China, Terr...Continue Reading

Governor Pete Ricketts, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) are set to host the Nebraska Ag and Economic Development Summit on August 4, 2021, at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney. Registration for the event is now open at negovsummit.com.  Former U.S. Ambassador t...Continue Reading

Starting July 1, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. CST, qualifying Nebraska nonprofits will be able to apply for funding under the Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery & Investment Act grant program, administered on behalf of the State by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED). The application window will close on July 15...Continue Reading

The new Center for Agricultural Profitability in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources began operating June 28 with the unveiling of a new website and slate of informational events. Approved in March and housed in the Department of Agricultural Economics, the center will work to improve the economi...Continue Reading

NUtech Ventures has created a new guide to help aspiring entrepreneurs at the University of Nebraska. The guide is focused on companies formed to commercialize innovations developed at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and protected via intellectual property rights owned by the university and assigned to NUtech Ventures. Topics covered include: idea validation, intellectual property protection, business pla...Continue Reading

New data released shows that Nebraska’s unemployment rate remained one of the lowest in the country as it fell even lower in May. The state’s 2.6% unemployment rate tied with Vermont for the second-lowest rate in the nation, behind only New Hampshire’s 2.5% unemployment. Nebraska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined in May t...Continue Reading

For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Nebraska system is ranked among the world's top 100 institutions for securing U.S. patents. A newly released report from the National Academy of Inventors and Intellectual Property Owners Association lists the NU system at No. 77. The ranking reflects the 38 patents that th...Continue Reading

On East 6th Street in Davenport, right about where the town meets the country, Leon and Connie Siefert’s yard has become an attraction.  Leon, who joined Connie in Davenport in 2015 after retiring — she moved to Davenport in 2013 and he worked in Kansas — didn’t plan it that way. “...Continue Reading

Recently retired Thayer Central English teacher, Anne Roesner Heitmann, was inducted into the Nebraska English Teachers Hall of Fame.   Heitmann, who taught English, Speech, Drama and Creative Writing for 30 years, was inducted in a ceremony at the Nebraska State Capitol Rotunda May 7.  Clark Kolterman of the Nebraska English Languag...Continue Reading

Reinke Manufacturing has come to an agreement to buy and renovate the Wayfarer Motel on the northeast corner of 13th Street and Lincoln Avenue in Hebron.  In an effort to revitalize the local economy and increase housing options for its employees in the area, Reinke will be taking ownership of th...Continue Reading

University of Nebraska-Lincoln pre-pharmacy student Katelyn Richardson knew she wanted to go beyond her studies and get a glimpse into what life would be like as a pharmacist.  She found that opportunity through the Foundation for Thayer County Health Services Fund and Nebraska Community Foundation.  She joined the latest batch of youn...Continue Reading

Filing business-related taxes can often be a time-consuming and complicated process, especially for new entrepreneurs. Small business owners need a good understanding of the federal, state, and local taxes required to file. The types of taxes can range from income, employment, excise, and sales. It is critical that business owners ar...Continue Reading

Area Development’s staff editor Mark Crawford recently asked Ericsson’s Dan Kerber, vice president of digital services business operations for North America — who helps companies improve their financial and operational metrics through improved resource management processes — about his thoughts on leadership, especially the need for “soft skills” during th...Continue Reading

When scouting locations for a retailer, an experienced real estate team knows precisely what to look for: sites that have high visibility, easy accessibility, and close proximity to a population base and competing stores. By comparing options that meet this small handful of criteria, the final selection can be relativel...Continue Reading

These 7 brilliant ways to grow your remote workforce will help you reap the benefits of the work from home movement! The advantages of a remote workforce for workers, employers, and the towns and states they reside in are many. TAP INTO THE WORK FROM HOME MOVEMENT 70% of the American workforce i...Continue Reading

You want to dip into the remote workforce honey pot, so here's what you need to start doing to attract remote workers today! Remote workers balance out the economic climate for communities, bring in new skillsets to the local workforce, grow the tax base, and reduce the carbon footprint by eliminatin...Continue Reading

Here are five things in technology that happened this past week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them? 1—Google Workspace is adding new features to help remote workers.    Google recently added some new features to Google Workspace in order to help those working remotely collaborate and improve thei...Continue Reading