News Center

Walter J. Thompson moved his loan company from Burlington, Wisconsin to Hebron, Nebraska in 1871, and using that knowledge, founded the Exchange Bank in 1874, later to be renamed. Thayer County Bank has served, serviced, and invested in the community since its inception. In 1883, Thompson partnered with Frank Wetherald,...Continue Reading

In the high-stakes world of startups, founders often find themselves facing a paradoxical challenge: how to attract buyers without sellers and sellers without buyers.This chicken-and-egg problem has derailed more promising startups than we care to count. The truth is, you can overcome this dilemma. Successful marketplaces like Airbnb, Uber and...Continue Reading

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) is pleased to announce the recipients of $10.72 million in awards under the 2024 application cycle of the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF).The Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) was established by the Nebraska Legislature in 1996 through the Nebraska Affordable Housing...Continue Reading

Airports are often seen as gateways to the sky, but for economic developers, they represent much more--an untapped economic engine waiting to be harnessed. Our whitepaper, From Runways to Revenue: Economic Benefits of Your Local Airport, dives deep into the economic opportunities airports provide to communities, particularly in rural areas...Continue Reading

Reinke Manufacturing will be investing $12 million into advancing robotics. Reinke is testing out a 19 robot cell and President Chris Roth said this is important because the pipe cell they have now is aging out, so they have reinvest in themselves to make what Roth calls ‘the world’s finest...Continue Reading

Artificial intelligence has skeptics, critics and scaremongerers. People are trolling AI news sites and starting protests against the technology. But it’s not all lost jobs and robots taking over. Discoveries and new inventions in artificial intelligence are making the world a safer place for humans. And that’s the point.Here’s what’s...Continue Reading

Site readiness programs have significantly evolved over the decades, influenced by changing project demands and market trends.New York pioneered proactive site readiness with the Build Now New York program in the late 1990s. Initially, these programs centered on earning certifications, like a seal of approval — signaling credibility but varying...Continue Reading

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has announced the names of four (4) applicants who will receive $10,302,671 of investment in local projects through the HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Program. The funds will support the development of affordable rental housing to assist individuals or households who are homeless,...Continue Reading

First Five Nebraska (FFN) today kicked off a public education campaign promoting the Child Care Tax Credit and School Readiness Tax Credit. The refundable and nonrefundable tax credits are designed to help address key challenges facing child care providers and the families, employers and communities who depend on them. They...Continue Reading

Federal funding is available to help preserve, expand, and upgrade local airport facilities. “From Runways to Revenue: Economic Benefits of Your Local Airport” provides key information and tips on how to secure this funding. Before downloading, here is an overview of what you need to know.Federal Funding for Airports: Part...Continue Reading

As a small retail shop owner, you have big ambitions but, perhaps, a tight budget. You want to attract more customers but not blow all your means on expensive ads or social media marketing. What are some strategies to implement now and attract more customers?From the in-store experience to upping...Continue Reading

Great talent is hard to find, especially in the wake of the Great Resignation. Artificial intelligence (AI) makes it easy (and quick) to accelerate and diversify talent pipelines, which can include millions of candidates and various specialized talent pools.How is AI being used by HR, workforce development, and headhunting pros...Continue Reading

It’s widely known that spending time in nature offers a multitude of benefits- for mental, spiritual, and physical health. Yet beyond those compelling perks, the cultivation of natural spaces has been shown to yield numerous economic benefits. Natural spaces, including parks, community gardens, green belts, outdoor recreational areas, green roofs,...Continue Reading

General aviation airports contribute significantly to the economy. Airports don’t need to be large or serve major airlines to make an impact. In a report titled “Nebraska Aviation Counts!” there is a breakdown of the impact rural airports make. In South Sioux City, Martin Field, for example, has a $1.9...Continue Reading

They were walloped by the pandemic and hit with high inflation, and yet an overwhelming majority of U.S. small business owners recently polled by Forbes Research are optimistic their businesses will succeed.Possible outcomes of that rosy outlook—as well as what challenges may interfere with that expectation—are explained in the 2023...Continue Reading

July is National Park and Recreation Month, dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the people who help make parks and recreational facilities throughout the country, worthy of attendance, from full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers to kind-hearted volunteers. TCEDA is giving huge thanks to Thayer County’s volunteers and maintenance staff that make...Continue Reading

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has allocated Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding for Housing Resilience Planning (HRP) activities. In accordance with the Nebraska DR Action Plan, as amended, DED issues this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Eligible entities are communities within areas designated by...Continue Reading

It took a global pandemic to convince American businesses that their employees could work productively from home or a favorite coffee shop. Post-COVID-19, employers are struggling to find the right balance of in-office and remote work. However, hybrid work is likely here to stay, at least for a segment of...Continue Reading

Tourism is an often-underutilized driver of economic growth, capable of transforming communities by creating jobs, fostering local businesses, and enhancing the overall quality of life. Economic developers and tourism professionals must work together to create a cohesive strategy that leverages the community’s tourism potential. Here’s how you can integrate tourism...Continue Reading

Summer is a favorite season for Thayer County residents because it enhances their community connection while embracing visitors, guests, tourists, and wonderful weather. With longer days and warm nights, pool parties, outdoor concerts, and other social gatherings are much more fun and last longer. Attitudes are joyful and smiles are...Continue Reading

If the past few years have reinforced any ideas about the ups and downs of the port industry, one axiom still rings true: Expect the unexpected.That’s because the unexpected is what usually causes disruption in the supply chain: it might be the COVID-19 pandemic. Or the violent incidents at the...Continue Reading

In today’s landscape, architects and planners are not just building factories, they are sculpting ecosystems that blend seamlessly with their urban and rural backdrops, fostering efficiency and ecological harmony within the communities they inhabit.Industrial spaces are more than just functional units, and their designers can aspire to create living ecosystems...Continue Reading

The economic landscapes of communities nationwide are as unsettled as ever. One facet of this reality is the state of commercial real estate. Beginning with government-imposed shutdowns and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses and individuals have changed their habits, incorporating remote or hybrid work practices into daily life...Continue Reading

Guidelines for a scholarship fund for budding Nebraska nurses, which had not been tapped as anticipated, have been changed to reach more students before an impending deadline.In 2022, the Nebraska Legislature directed $5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds toward scholarships for students on short-term or accelerated nursing...Continue Reading