News & Media

York County Development Corporation (YCDC) received two 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The Gold award was bestowed for the organization’s work in the Innovative Financing category for the less than 25,000 population group.  The Silver award was for the organization’s work on...

Your Halloween decorations might still be up, but your customers are already thinking about Christmas. Studies show that 42% of consumers buy holiday gifts before December, while only 20% wait until mid- to late December to start shopping. People are increasingly creating lists and buying items ahead of time so...

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To fuel regional economic growth and build a local talent pipeline, Southeast Community College is partnering with York Public Schools, the York County Development Corporation, and area employers to build a new Learning and Workforce Development Center adjacent to York High School. This collaborative investment expands access to hands-on training...

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The Rabbit Holes of Economic DevelopmentLisa Hurley, Executive Director  • York County Development CorporationI've been known to go down a rabbit hole or two. Anyone who has worked with me for very long can probably confirm that.A question comes up in a meeting, I start looking for an answer, and...

The York County Development Corporation (YCDC) celebrated the completion of the 2026 17-County Leadership Program on Thursday, October 15, with a graduation luncheon at the York Country Club.The program, offered in partnership with York University, brought participants together for three sessions in August, September, and October. Through the BetterCulture curriculum,...

Cruiser’s Ice Cream, LLC won the Startup category, and Wild Trail Safari LLC won the Small Business category at the 2026 SPARK Small Business Pitch Contest, hosted by York County Development Corporation (YCDC) on Thursday, October 8, at York University’s Cornerstone Room in the Mackey Center. Now in its third...

High school students from across York County, Nebraska, toured local manufacturing facilities on Friday, October 2, to learn more about the companies that operate in the region. This program is designed to highlight the diversity of manufacturing roles and the opportunities found in York County.“Our local manufacturing companies need people...

Artificial intelligence has been a top buzzword in the business community for a few years now, with 76% of business owners saying they use AI regularly. However, only 14% say it is fully integrated into their business operations, and 73% of business owners say they would benefit from additional education...

A Monthly Update from YCDCLooking Back to Build What’s NextLisa Hurley, Executive DirectorEvery five years, it is probably healthy to stop for a minute and ask a few questions.What did we actually accomplish?What changed?And maybe just as importantly, did the work we spent so much time on put York County...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEYCDC’s 17-County Podcast turns community storytelling into a tool for talent attraction, recruitment and business developmentLINCOLN, NE Sept. 2, 2026 – York County Development Corporation (YCDC), a catalyst for economic and community vitality in York County, announced today that it has received a Workforce and Talent Award from...

Lisa Hurley, Executive Director York County Development CorporationRecently, Grace Staehr interviewed me for one of our regular YCDC updates on the 17-County Podcast. During our conversation, she made a comment that stuck with me.Grace joined the YCDC team about eight months ago and has quickly become an important part of...

Fairfield Inn & Suites Grand Opening Celebrates York County MomentumWhat began as an announcement in the fall of 2024 has become a completed investment, a new hospitality option and another sign of continued momentum in York County.The community is invited to celebrate the grand opening of Fairfield by Marriott Inn...

Understanding Our Roles and Strengthening York CountyLisa Hurley, Executive Director York County Development CorporationOne question we get from time to time is, “What’s the difference between YCDC, the York Chamber, and the York County Visitors Bureau?”It’s a fair question.Our offices are in the same building. We attend many of the...

York County is home to remarkable businesses, unique products, valuable services, and inspiring people—and some of their best stories are still waiting to be discovered.YCDC’s new “Did You Know?” campaign will go live in mid-August. This ongoing digital campaign will highlight the businesses, organizations, industries, and people that make York...

When a Business Question Becomes a Community ResourceA Special Release from YCDC Lisa Hurley, CEcDExecutive Director, York County Development Corporation A recent business visit reminded me of something I have always appreciated about economic development: some of the most useful work starts with a good question.During a Business Retention and Expansion conversation...

The York County Development Corporation (YCDC) team recently joined economic development professionals from across Nebraska at the 2026 Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA) Annual Conference, held June 10–12 in Kearney. The annual event brings together leaders, community builders, and industry experts to share ideas, discuss emerging trends, and strengthen the...

The 17-County podcast by the York County Development Corporation (YCDC) will soon hit a major milestone: 150 published episodes. Since its launch in 2020, the podcast has grown with new technology, new countries reached, and countless new listeners. As of May 2026, the 17-County Podcast has more than 38,400 downloads,...

When people think about economic development in rural communities, they often think first about local projects; housing developments, business expansion, workforce initiatives, infrastructure improvements, or entrepreneurship programs.Those projects are critical. They are also deeply connected to broader state and federal policies that influence how rural communities grow, compete, and access...

Housing is a challenge across the United States, with experts estimating a deficit of 4.7 million homes. Americans need access to enough housing inventory, as well as affordable homes and rental options. York County, Nebraska, isn’t exempt from the national housing crunch. In 2025, the county population grew by 4%...

Closing in on the Finish Line for York’s Workforce FutureBy Lisa Hurley, Executive Director, York County Development CorporationMomentum is building, and we’re getting close.The York Regional Workforce Development Center/Learning Center continues to move forward, and thanks to strong community support, we have now raised over $2.6 million locally toward this...

Progress continues at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in York, and recent activity at the site highlighted more than just construction milestones—it underscored the power of regional collaboration and shared learning. In early January, York County Development Corporation (YCDC) welcomed Jonathan Jank and other leaders from Seward County for...