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Yesterday, the Development Council for Buffalo County held its Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon at the Gail & Michael Yanney Pavilion. The event was a resounding success, bringing together community members to celebrate local achievements and discuss important economic initiatives.K.C. Belitz and Dena Beck from the Nebraska Department of Economic...
What's the economic pulse in Buffalo County right now? We'll break it down for you in our monthly Economic Pulse report.This interactive report is designed to offer valuable insights into the economic health and trends within our Kearney and Buffalo County, empowering businesses, policymakers, and residents to stay informed and...
Whiskey Creek Wood Fire Grill, founded and grown in Kearney, has been a cornerstone of Nebraska’s restaurant scene for nearly 30 years. Built through the vision and leadership of longtime restaurateur Jim Gardner, the business has served generations of guests with a commitment to quality and hospitality. After 50 years...
Last week we celebrated the retirement of our dear friend and colleague, Roger Jasnoch.Jasnoch has been the Director of the Kearney Visitors' Bureau for the past 38 years and will retire officially at the end of June.Here's an insightful perspective on Roger's immense impact on Kearney, as told by local...
Charlie Wolford, who launched his business journey at just 17, has rapidly transformed his holiday lighting service into a dynamic, multi-state enterprise. Now 22, Wolford leads Haven Lighting Solutions and Haven Patio Furniture, companies with headquarters in Kearney, NE, and Rapid City, SD, and ambitions to expand nationally. His businesses generate...
The City of Ravenna, Nebraska recently completed a new 4-plex housing project, supported by a $350,000 grant from the Rural Workforce Housing Fund and $175,000 in local funding. This initiative enhances affordable housing options in the community and showcases the power of collaboration and investment. Rural Workforce Housing Fund (RWHF) provides competitive...
Buffalo County Economic Pulse | May 2025
May 20 2025Welcome back to our monthly Economic Pulse report, where we break down the latest trends shaping the economic landscape of Kearney and Buffalo County. This interactive snapshot is designed to empower businesses, policymakers, and residents with the insights they need to make informed, data-driven decisions.Key TakeawaysLabor Force & Unemployment: A...
Four talented students from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management are helping a national fashion retailer based in Kearney advance toward offering its guests a tailor-made online fashion stylist experience.Buckle, which employs about 8,000 people with more than 440 stores in 42 states,...
Earlier this month, the first high-quality child care provider was licensed by the State and is open for business due to a collaborative regional approach to creating new child care openings.A local Buffalo County model to seek, train, and license new child care providers in Buffalo County was expanded to...
As the sun begins its final descent on another day in central Nebraska, cars race by on the interstate heading somewhere.Once upon a time, there wasn’t much to see passing exit 272.“It’s a ton different, absolutely,” said Mayor Jonathan Nikkila.“It wasn’t long ago it was just the Holiday Inn right...
Kearney SportsPlex Facility Opens
Apr 11 2025One of the largest sporting facilities in the region was officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, April 10. The City of Kearney’s SportPlex is the culmination of four years of hard work and dedication.Located near Interstate 80, the 209,000 square foot facility will offer a year-round, climate-controlled...
$200,000 has been awarded by 6 Regions, One Nebraska to support early childhood workforce development over 26 counties in Central NE. These funds will be used to support child care champions in providing one-on-one mentoring to help entrepreneurs obtain childcare licensure, create business plans, and access business development resources.Congratulations to...
On March 4-5, a collaborative public engagement group hosted a series of visioning sessions asking area residents, "What will Kearney look like in 2050?"Their goal? To transform visionary ideas and leads into strategic action, ensuring a stronger, more vibrant future for the Kearney area.Throughout Kearney Tomorrow 2050 sessions, several common...
PLEASANTON, Neb. – A central Nebraska village has been chosen to take part in a state-wide program that supports the development of young children.According to a news release, Pleasanton was selected to be part of the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation 'Communities for Kids' program, a state-wide initiative which supports...
Kearney, NE | February 20, 2025 – The Development Council, Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, and Visit Kearney, along with over 200 community members, celebrated the grand opening of their new building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.In 2022, these three entities formed the “Kearney Partnership,” a nonprofit organization with equal ownership...
The Development Council for Buffalo County is pleased to announce the addition of five distinguished professionals to its Board of Directors, and the appointment of new officers.New directors include:Kimber Bonner, Vice President of Patient Care Services, CHI Health Good SamaritanNick Ridgeway, Shareholder, Jacobsen Orr Kurt Schmidt, City Council, City of KearneyJason...
A recent study revealed that the University of Nebraska generates $6.4 billion annually and supports one in every 20 Nebraska jobs.It also highlighted the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK)'s pivotal role in driving economic growth and development in Kearney, Buffalo County, and the broader Nebraska region. UNK Operations ImpactIn fiscal...
A new study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Bureau of Business Research confirms the strong—and rising—return on investment from the State’s Business Innovation Act (BIA) programs.The report examined the overall economic impact BIA programs have had by empowering early-stage entrepreneurial ventures. BIA funds have generated $11.52 of private capital investment for...
KEARNEY — The Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated reopening on Saturday, May 3, 2025.Following an extensive expansion, restoration, and renovation, MONA will unveil its revitalized historic building and a brand-new 23,000-square-foot expansion, marking a new chapter for Nebraska’s art and cultural community.The reimagined...
The community of Ravenna has recently been selected to be part of Nebraska Children and Families Foundation Communities for Kids, a state-wide initiative which supports young children, families and those providing their care. The Communities for Kids initiative is a multi-year planning and implementation initiative that was created in response...
Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly awarded prizes to three teams of aspiring college entrepreneurs through the 2nd Annual Nebraska Governor’s New Venture Competition. Awardees were announced during Thursday’s Nebraska Business Hall of Fame banquet at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. Ten teams were selected as semi-finalists. The winners, prize amounts and...
We have a new year, a new Congress, a new Legislature, and a new president. Within the policy and political world, there is a whirlwind of change and a mix of excitement with equal amounts of uncertainty. Both state and federal government policy and budget decisions made in the next...
KEARNEY – Brenda Jensen is a big supporter of the Nebraska Good Life Opportunities Program.When the new scholarship program was announced last fall, she came to the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus to meet with prospective students and talk about her career.“Public administration is kind of an unknown field,”...
The University of Nebraska-Kearney Rural Immersion Program is an important recruitment tool, providing an opportunity to connect with health science students early in their college careers and show them “all the good things happening in rural health care across the state of Nebraska.”Said, Cozad Health CEO Robert Dyer, “There’s a...