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BEATRICE – Preliminary approval has been given for a new agriculture business….a small mill that would process white sorghum into flour that is gluten-free.The Gage County Planning Commission, on a 7-0 vote, has recommended county approval of the special use permit sought by Brad Dusenbery and Dusenbery Farms. The operation...
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) is now accepting applications for a specific grant opportunity through the Site and Building Development Fund (SBDF). The opportunity is open to a city of the second class that is served by two first-class railroads, is within fifteen miles of two state borders,...
BEATRICE – Economic developers face a different set of challenges from twenty years ago, as they try to help their communities grow.Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, K.C. Belitz told members of Gage County Growth Enterprise that some new priorities are appearing in Nebraska."Twenty years ago we would...
Gov. Pillen Announces SEBT “Nebraska Solution”
Feb 13 2024LINCOLN, NE – Surrounded by more than 20 state senators in the Warner Chamber at the State Capitol, Governor Jim Pillen touted a “Nebraska solution” that will allow the state to take advantage of the federally-funded Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT) program, while ensuring that additional needs of children and...
Spring Creek Model Trains Wins TCEDA’s “Thriving in Thayer County” award 2024Jan 29, 2024 Thayer County Economic Development Alliance is excited to announce this year’s “Thriving in Thayer County” awardee: Spring Creek Model Trains from Deshler. Spring Creek Model Trains was started in 2000 as a hobby business for David and his...
Childcare Shortages in the United States: A Growing Crisis with Far-Reaching Consequences
Feb 5 2024Childcare shortages in communities across the United States have reached critical levels, leaving families struggling to secure affordable and quality care for their children as they attempt to earn a living and contribute to economic development. This article delves into the depth of the issue, examining the shortage of childcare...
Sometimes economic development projects happen over the course of a few months. Other times it can take years for a project to come to fruition. With the recent announcement about a data center coming to Aurora, I want to shed light on what it looks like when a project can...
State of the States 2024
Jan 2 2024Among the themes to emerge across the 50 state legislatures and governor’s offices over the past year is how to attract funding from a family of major federal programs toting hundreds of billions of dollars in funds. The various challenges and grants follow closely behind Recovery Act funds for which...
Thank You, Thayer County!
Dec 22 2023Dear Residents of Thayer County,As we close out 2023, Thayer County Economic Development Alliance (TCEDA) would like to thank you for shopping locally, donating, and supporting our efforts throughout the year. Because of you, local businesses continue to flourish into the new year. Because of you, our neighbors remain employed...
This new cement could become America’s next big bumper crop and help save the world as we know it
Dec 10 2023The Bio-Block Spiral is a small, short wall, but it may be a bulwark against a giant threat: climate change. The curved, mud-colored structure is part of the current Chicago Architecture Biennial, entitled “Rehearsing the Future.” Unlike the artists’ installations filling the city’s downtown exhibit halls, the Bio-Block Spiral rises...
DED Announces Awards under Third Application Cycle of the Pandemic Relief Housing Program
Dec 6 2023The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded $2,000,000 to two applicants under the third and final funding cycle of the Pandemic Relief Housing Program. The subrecipients include Kearney Community Sustainable Housing and Southeast Nebraska Affordable Housing Council.The Pandemic Relief Housing Program was established by Legislative Bill (LB) 1014...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Farah Ahmad today announced that USDA is strengthening its partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a network of 25 organizations to help people in rural and underserved communities access affordable, modern and safe wastewater infrastructure.The actions...
Big Give Thayer County Is Back
Nov 21 2023Nothing says, “togetherness,” better than community involvement, and Thayer County is known for its strong community spirit. We rise together by working together.Big Give Thayer County is back! Last year was such a success bringing in over $90k. Each donation was recycled back into the community in various ways. Let’s...
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2023 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced next steps in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s efforts to bolster U.S. agricultural trade, including the department’s planned trade missions for 2024 and the opening of a public comment period for the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). These...
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced an investment of $27.9 million across 45 organizations that teach and train beginning farmers and ranchers, including programs for U.S. veterans who are entering into agricultural careers and starting new farming businesses.“The next...
The child care crisis is “nationwide, threatening the future of the U.S.’s youngest minds and is hindering employment and education advancement of the American workforce. … The crisis can be broken down into three key, interrelated challenges: affordability, accessibility, and quality of care. … As a whole, the industry is...
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has opened applications for the Microenterprise Assistance Program’s Micro-Lending and Technical Assistance awards. Up to $1,477,000 in Micro-Lending, and up to $2,954,000 in Micro-Technical Assistance funds will be awarded this cycle. Applications must be submitted to the Department no later than 5:00 p.m...
The shortage of childcare is crippling the economic wealth of families nationwide. However, Spring Creek Kids Center plans to do its part in helping solve the childcare crisis in Deshler’s corner of America.Currently, there are six great licensed in-home childcare providers in Deshler, with a few looking to retire in...
Thayer Kids Academy, A Vision in Plain Sight
Oct 19 2023The lack of accessible, licensed childcare is a nationwide problem. In Thayer County, Chris and Hannah Dunlap, owners of Thayer Kids Academy, are a small part of the solution.As parents of five children ages seven years old to 13 months, and full-time employees, the Dunlaps realized that opening a childcare...
Big Give Gage…the annual 24-hour online donation drive for numerous nonprofit causes in Gage County, with matching donations, came to a grand total of $384,043 this year."It's just a good feeling...every minute, every hour, all the sleepless nights were all worth it for this specific day. It's been really rewarding."This...
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is awarding $266 million in loans and grants to agriculture producers and rural small businesses to make investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will lower their energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resilience...
Housing Projects Underway in Thayer County
Friday, August 25th
TCEDA is pleased to announce some big steps forward on our housing initiatives. On July 31st, the bidding process for TCEDA’s first three workforce housing house projects officially closed. The board is pleased to announce that the contractor...
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) is accepting applications for the READ Nebraska grant program. At the request of Governor Jim Pillen, the Nebraska Legislature established the program through Legislative Bill (LB) 814 during the 2023 legislative session. The Unicameral allocated $4.8 million to DED for both State fiscal...
This week, Governor Jim Pillen welcomed around 500 leaders to Kearney’s Younes Conference Center North for the “Governor’s Summit on Ag and Economic Development,” co-hosted by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).“When our kids grow up and graduate, we want them to...