News & Media

YCDC Anncounces Special Event: MAKING POSITIVE CONNECTIONS WITH GINGER JOHNSON

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

December 17, 2019 4:00-6:00 PM Holthus Convention Center Registration $30 (portion of proceeds to benefit TCDC workforce projects) How would it feel to know you were in control of your own personal and professional growth? What would it mean for your happiness, progress, success and life? Answer = everything! Those who work with and participate fully in Ginger's endeavors experience true change. Connectors change the world, with insight and conscientiousness, bringing dreams to life giving you an edge to build the life you want and love. Learn: Learn how to connect to be better at business Develop your connecting skills to take charge of your life Build meaningful relationship...

Guess which college or university is the top rank in Nebraska

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

The college application deadline for new and returning students is coming soon on Friday, Nov. 1st as WalletHub releases its 2020's Best College and University Rankings as motivation. In research of the rankings, they have also found the top seven colleges and universities in Nebraska. Click here for the complete article.

Small Business Owners: Make your voice heard!

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Small Business Owners: Make your voice heard! YCDC is partnering with the Federal Reserve to conduct a Small Business Credit Survey for both pre-start and existing businesses, and we’d like you to participate. The survey is for pre-start small business owners/managers. This survey helps to amplify the voices of small businesses. It tracks small business financing conditions and brings small business conditions to the attention of service providers, lenders, and policy makers. Individual responses are confidential. Summary results will be shared with you. If we receive 50 responses, we will receive a local report. Click Here To Take Survey The survey closes Decembe...

Creators Wanted: Celebrating Manufacturing Month in York County, Nebraska

Tuesday, October 01, 2019

York County is home to innovators, creators and makers – people and companies who are making products to be used throughout the United States and the world. This is an exciting time to be in manufacturing. With new technologies revolutionizing the industry, manufacturing has become a high-tech field where anything is possible. We encourage the next generation of creators, and everyone in our community, to support York County manufacturers during Manufacturing Month and throughout the year. Creators Wanted According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Nebraska’s manufacturing sector experienced more than 10 percent job growth between December 2009 and July 2019. Th...

LinkedIn Tips from Lisa

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Over the last several months, I have had the opportunity to learn more about LinkedIn, and research if there are better ways for YCDC to utilize it. My coach, Ginger Johnson has pushed me toward making videos, and she is one of the first people that showed me how much LinkedIn has changed. What I have learned has been intriguing. This social media platform has morphed over the last couple of years from what some would have called a job board, to the number one platform for Business to Business (B2B) sales lead generation. During a masters LinkedIn course, ...

Opportunity Zone Investment Prospectus Released

Friday, September 20, 2019

York County Development Corporation releases York Opportunity Zone Prospectus. Located along 1-80 adn US Hwy 81, York County offers easy access to two of the busiest roads in the U.S. York's central location puts it within a legal one-day trucking haul of key markets, including Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and St. Louis. The Opportunity zone allows for funds to be created from capital gains allowing investors to defer their original tax bill until the earlier of December 31, 2016 or sale of hte Opportunity Zone investment. There are available sites in the Opportunity Zone area, and the York Opportunity Zone Prospectu...

NBDC and Nebraska Extension Launch University of Nebraska SourceLink® Resource Navigator

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

NBDC and Nebraska Extension Launch University of Nebraska SourceLink® Resource Navigator Online tool will connect entrepreneurs with University of Nebraska resources. Omaha, NE - Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and the Nebraska Extension Community Vitality Initiative (CVI), recently announced the launch of the University of Nebraska SourceLink® Resource Navigator. Over the past two years, CVI, NBDC and the Rural Futures Institute (RFI) have collaborated to support the University’s role in the economic and community success across Nebraska. Andy Stoll with the Kauffman Foundation says, “Entrepreneurial talent is universal but entrepreneurial ecosystems are not.” A powerful way to strengthen the environmen...

A Mooooovable Feast

Tuesday, September 03, 2019

New equipment encourages wetland restoration through cattle grazing

Lisa Hurley speaks on York County Nebraska job opportunities and testimonials

Monday, September 02, 2019

2019 Wage & Salary Report

Monday, August 26, 2019

Are you a business owner, in HR, or part of the team that determines wages? If so, this York Labor Market 2019 Wage & Salary Report may be of use to you. As you review, please remember, salaries and benefits are only one piece of the puzzle of retaining and recruiting workforce. Some things to keep in the back of your mind. In three years, the majority of baby boomers will be retired. In 10 years, Millennials will be 50% of our workforce, and that population is larger than the baby boomer population. In general Millennials are not afraid of chang...

Investing in the Legacy

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Blake didn’t have to come back to York. Although taking his place as the third generation of Woodruff financial advisors at Ameriprise Financial could have felt like an obligation, Blake makes it clear that York is the community he wants to live and work in.

Community-Builders Wanted: How to Receive State Tax Credits for Investing in Local Betterment Projects

Tuesday, August 06, 2019

"the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) wishes to inform you of an open application cycle for a program that offers 40% state tax credits for individuals and organizations who invest in qualifying community development projects through eligible cash donations or by providing services and materials."

Back to Her Heritage

Monday, August 05, 2019

This is the fourth article in a series that I will be working on during my summer internship at the York County Development Corporation. This series strives to highlight the stories of people who were raised in York County and came back as adults to develop their careers and raise their families. A place can only be as fantastic at its people, which is why the personal histories and current successes of these individuals shows us the true heart of York County. Back to Her Heritage Angie Berthold’s Story By: Sam Redfern, YCDC Intern A story that sounds like it was pulled from ...

Back to School

Monday, August 05, 2019

Earlier this year, Senator Julie Slama championed a much-needed update to our state’s civics education. It guarantees students will study American heroes like Standing Bear, Susan B. Anthony, and Abraham Lincoln. It also ensures that students will learn the patriotic songs that have become part of our national culture and develop proper respect for our country’s flag.

Striv named inaugural winner of Third District entrepreneur award

Friday, August 02, 2019

Congressman Adrian Smith has announced the winners of the inaugural Third District Young Entrepreneurial Awards – and one of the recipients is Striv Inc., a company started and run by Taylor Siebert in Henderson. The award was created to celebrate the efforts of young and rising leaders who strengthen their communities with their entrepreneurial spirit, Congressman Smith said. The winners will be recognized by Rep. Smith before the U.S. House of Representatives. Click here for the complete article.

Changing the Narrative: Stephanie Metzger's Story

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

This is the third article in a series that I am working on during my summer internship at the York County Development Corporation. This series strives to highlight the stories of people who were raised in York County and came back as adults to develop their careers and raise their families. A place can only be as fantastic at its people, which is why the personal histories and current successes of these individuals shows us the true heart of York County. Changing the Narrative Stephanie Metzger’s Story By Sam Redfern, YCDC Intern Most of the country seems to think small towns are running agains...

POLL: RURAL NEBRASKANS BECOMING MORE ACTIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Thirty-five percent of respondents to the 2019 Nebraska Rural Poll have worked with someone or some group to solve a problem in the community where they live during the past 12 months. This is an increase from 29% in 2015. (Craig Chandler/University Communication)

See You at the Fair

Monday, July 29, 2019

Nebraska’s farm families work incredibly hard to cultivate the crops and raise the livestock that enrich our state. Fairs display the fruits of their labor and help familiarize the rest of the state with the valuable contribution they make to Nebraska.

Planting New Roots - Maddie Elder's Story

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

This is the first article in the second series that I am working on during my summer internship at the York County Development Corporation. This series spotlights people who had no previous ties to York County before deciding to call it home. A place can only be as fantastic at its people, which is why the personal histories and current successes of these individuals shows us the true heart of York County. Planting New Roots Maddie Elder’s Story By Sam Redfern, YCDC Intern After growing up in McCook, Nebraska, Maddie Elder always thought that her adult life would begin in a big city. Onc...

Want an extra $10,000? Consider moving to these states

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

More than half of U.S. counties are now shrinking, thanks to low birth rates, aging baby boomers and skilled people moving to better job markets. According to recent research from the Economic Innovation Group, 50 million people live in counties with a lower population than they had a decade ago, and another 11 million live in counties with close to zero population growth. As a result, many of these states are struggling with a “brain drain” of educated workers moving elsewhere. For example, Vermont lost about 4% of its adult population with a bachelor’s degree or higher to other states in 2017, according t...

Dream careers - find yours in Nebraska

Friday, July 05, 2019

Are you looking for the career of your dreams? If so, Nebraska is the ideal place for you. Wages are growing rapidly. And we have tens of thousands of open jobs at any given time. To help people take these jobs, my team has started a number of initiatives. From the middle school years to career launches and transitions, we are connecting the next generation of Nebraskans to great opportunities. In 2015, I worked with the Legislature to create the Developing Youth Talent Initiative (DYTI). During the last four years, this program has introduced more than 7,000 middle school students t...

Nebraska's Third District ranks first for agriculture

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

The Census of Agriculture ranks Nebraska’s expansive Third District first for farms and farmers, and among the top three for women farmers, cattle sales, and total acres.

Less than a Year since the Passage of LB 518 — the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act — Progress, Enthusiasm Continue to Build

Monday, July 01, 2019

If rural economic development had an ingredients list, workforce housing might be somewhere near the top. “Housing enables communities to accommodate the workforce and support business development,” said Department of Economic Development (DED) Director Dave Rippe. “Communities that invest in their workforce housing stock can position themselves to grow and thrive.” Yet rural communities face unique challenges when it comes to building and rehabilitating homes. From high construction costs to developer scarcity and everything in between, creating the “places where jobs sleep” can be a monumental task. The State of Nebraska, through DED, administers an array of financial and technical assistance resources tha...

Gov. Ricketts Accepts Major Economic Development Award on Behalf of the State of Nebraska

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Governor Pete Ricketts accepted a major economic development award on behalf of the State of Nebraska. Area Developmentmagazine—considered to be the leading executive magazine covering corporate site selection and relocation—presented Nebraska with the Silver Shovel Award for 2019. “Today is further proof that Nebraska is one of the best places in America to invest and do business,” said Governor Ricketts. “The Silver Shovel Award demonstrates that we continue to succeed at attracting great employers and creating quality, high-paying jobs for hardworking Nebraska families. Thank you to the numerous Nebraskans who helped build the environment that attracted these great opportunities and new investments.” Gol...

YCDC's Executive Director Becomes Economic Development Master Practitioner

Monday, June 03, 2019

Lisa Hurley Completes Advanced Economic Development Program Lisa Hurley, Executive Director of York County Development Corporation, recently completed the Advanced Economic Development Leadership (AEDL) program. AEDL is a two-week executive education course developed by four partner universities (The University of Alabama, Clemson University, Texas Christian University, the University of Southern Mississippi). At graduation ceremonies in Kansas City, Missouri, graduates were awarded the Economic Development Master Practitioner diploma. The Advanced program is an experiential course that explores economic development subjects that impact communities and states across the U.S. Instructors include site consultants, business leaders, nationally known subject experts and university professors. This world-class facult...

Businesses partner with Nebraska middle schools to raise early interest in manufacturing

Sunday, June 02, 2019

It’ll take years until they see the results, but Nucor Detailing Center is willing to wait. The Norfolk company is partnering with Norfolk Junior High School and four other area schools to expose seventh- and eighth-graders to manufacturing and IT-related fields and machinery. The long-term goal? To have more people consider careers in manufacturing and IT, like those available at Nucor. The shorter-term goal? Introduce students to the field early so they are more likely to choose relevant classes in high school and college programs. Read full article.

Gov. Ricketts Announces Release of “Nebraska Disaster Resource Guide”

Saturday, June 01, 2019

Governor Pete Ricketts announced the release of a consolidated guide for Nebraskans in need of disaster relief resources. The guide was created as a reference for Nebraskans to utilize as a resource based on the state’s experience following historic flooding that devastated many areas of the state in March. “The Nebraska Disaster Resource Guide was developed with both public and private partners to aid Nebraskans personally recovering from disasters as well as those working to assist them,” said Governor Ricketts. “Navigating government agencies and a wide variety of community partners can seem overwhelming. The guide will help Nebraskans get connected t...

Local View: ImagiNE Nebraska Act will grow state

Friday, May 31, 2019

Nebraska’s current program to incent employers to locate or expand in Nebraska will expire in 2020. With a record of bringing more than 850 business expansions to our state, 100,000 new jobs and $30 billion in capital investment since 1987 -- under both LB775 and the Nebraska Advantage Act, according to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development -- Nebraska cannot afford to be without a program. We must keep our “open for business” sign illuminated. Read full article.

Nebraska must pursue strategy on workforce growth

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Nebraska faces a major workforce shortage in a wide range of jobs. Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is right when he says, "This is now the most pressing economic issue in the state." But Nebraska has tremendous potential to turn the problem around. We should strive to be a national leader on this issue. Let’s show the rest of the country how smart planning and a collaborative, can-do attitude can help a state make groundbreaking strides forward on workforce development. Nebraska boasts major strengths, including a lower cost of living and sound, strategic investments being mad...

NEBRASKA COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT CENTER – TWENTY YEARS STRONG

Monday, May 20, 2019

Since 1999, the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center has provided technical assistance, education and training to groups who are developing or are considering the development of a cooperatively owned business. The primary objective has been and is to improve the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative business development. NCDC continues to be committed to working with communities and organizations from idea formation to implementation. As we reflect on the 20th year of the Center, this article revisits the cooperative model. Often in economics, cooperatives are described as formed for a market failure. That may be the case, but that failure creates a...

'Quality of place' key, says state DED chief

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

McCOOK, Neb. — Communities that concentrate on quality of life and basics like adequate housing and a trained labor pool are more successful in supporting and attracting businesses, a state official told the McCook Rotary Club. David Rippe, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, told the group that the communities that are focusing on building a quality of place where people want to live are the communities that are “ahead of the curve.” He explained that jobs are everywhere and the entire country is in a “war for talent.” Read full article.

Why York County Talent Spotlight - Familes chose York County as home

Monday, March 18, 2019

Two young families, who were friends in York County growing up, both decide to move back to raise their kids.

Coming Together to Grow January 2019

Monday, January 07, 2019

York County businesses continue to tell a story of a need for talent and workforce. As of today, York County businesses have 361 open positions listed on NEWorks. There is a wide variety of positions listed, from highly skilled to entry-level positions. I would argue that the need for workers is greater, since some businesses do not use NEWorks for employee recruitment. Our research has shown that York County’s talent is impacted by items such as housing options, training, daycare, and quality of life. Those items are impacting both our ability to grow our existing business base, and also recruitin...

Lisa Hurley's video releases "Why Millennials Are Choosing York County" Nebaska White Paper

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

IANR launches working group focused on rural community prosperity

Friday, July 12, 2019

“The University of Nebraska is a key resource for the state’s rural communities,” said NU Vice President and IANR Harlan Vice Chancellor Mike Boehm. “As part of our efforts to ensure the continued competitiveness of our state, this working group will help rural communities position themselves for long-term economic prosperity.”

Lisa Hurley's #WhyYorkCounty

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

How to Write the Perfect Resume: Data Proves There Is a Formula

Tuesday, July 09, 2019

By Siri Hedreen, Business News Daily When convincing employers of your ability, providing specific evidence has been shown to be more effective than stating one's skills. Resumes featuring keywords that imply proactivity and managerial skills are correlated with higher employer ratings. Resumes suggesting self-centeredness, a need for training or resistance to hard work are correlated with lower employer ratings. "Know your audience" may well be the central tenet of the art of persuasion. The same principle applies to resumes – in effect, the first step in persuading someone to hire you. With that in mind, the best place to get resume tips should be your audience...

News & Media

Moving Back to York

Why Millennials Are Choosing York County

Mid America Vision Center