TCEDA Executive Director Carley Bruning Named NEDA Professional of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
TCEDA Executive Director Carley Bruning Named NEDA Professional of the Year
 

KEARNEY, Neb. – Carley Bruning of Thayer County was named the Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA) Local Professional of the Year on June 11 during the organization’s annual conference in Kearney. Bruning serves as the executive director of the Thayer County Economic Development Alliance (TCEDA), where her leadership has driven significant progress in childcare, housing, broadband and community development.
 
Bruning’s nominator states, “Carley is by all definitions a ‘gogetter.’ She puts in countless hours on and off the clock, throwing 110% of herself into every project she tackles.”
 
In just five years, Bruning has helped drive major progress in Thayer County by turning challenges into measurable results. She led efforts to eliminate a critical childcare shortage, moving from a deficit of more than 100 slots to a surplus in under two years, including 37 new openings. She also advanced local housing development through the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund and partnerships with county commissioners, resulting in three new homes to support workforce and community growth.
 
Bruning has guided significant infrastructure improvements as well, including bringing 50 miles of underground fiber optic line into the county to expand broadband access and strengthen longterm economic potential. Known for her innovative approach, she launched a Communities for Kids initiative, strengthened schoolindustry connections and worked with her board to establish a nonprofit arm to expand TCEDA’s capacity.
 
Her organization plays a central role in local progress—supporting businesses with planning, funding and workforce needs; advancing housing development; administering grants and scholarships and helping communities access key resources. Bruning’s leadership also extends statewide through her work with the Nebraska Community Foundation’s People Attraction Committee, Leadership Nebraska and NEDA. Locally, she supports tourism initiatives and steps in wherever her community needs her.
 
NEDA hosted its 53rd annual conference in Kearney June 10–12, 2026, drawing more than 160 economic development professionals from across the state.
 
PHOTO AVAILABLE: Carley Bruning receives the Local Professional of the Year award from 2025 awardee Dan Mauk. Left to right: NEDA president Luke Peltz, Carley Bruning and Dan Mauk. Photo credit: Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce.
 
About NEDA
The Nebraska Economic Developers Association provides professional development for economic developers while promoting economic growth statewide. With more than 310 members, NEDA is Nebraska’s leading association of economic development professionals.
 

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