Nebraska Department of Economic Development

Bio Innovations North America is coming to Nebraska on September 9-10, 2026!   DED is excited to be sponsoring this premier event, which is dedicated to scaling industrial biomanufacturing in the region.   Taking place in Omaha, Bio Innovations will convene 500+ bio-pioneers for two days of 1-2-1 meetings, knowledge exchange, and networking.   The event is designed to spark strategic partnerships and commercial deals among companies working to convert bio-based feedstocks into market-ready products.    Check out https://lnkd.in/e3svi8tV to see who you can meet and what you can learn. 

The Good Life earns another spot among the nation’s best. U.S. News & World Report ranked Nebraska as the #5 Best State for 2026 – the fourth year in the top five! Nebraska stands out with some of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, housing costs well below the national average, and communities creating opportunities for the next generation. It’s no surprise more people are finding their way to The Good Life. https://lnkd.in/dm4NVYu

Congratulations to Family Service Lincoln on the completion of FiftyOne Commons in northeast Lincoln! The development includes 8 affordable rowhouse rentals, a community garden, and the STEAM Activity Center. The STEAM center is designed to offer youth programming and features a gym, a makerspace, classrooms, and computer lab, podcast studio, and more! DED is grateful to have supported FiftyOne Commons with funding through the Pandemic Relief Housing Program! Engineering Technologies, Inc.

Inspiring to see how Wood River has turned a crisis into a community development triumph! Congratulations on the completion of Legacy Station! This former nursing home now houses Stick Creek Kids, the public library, Wood River’s food pantry, and the senior center. Best wishes to the community as you celebrate Legacy Station’s grand opening on Saturday! On Point Construction & Design https://lnkd.in/gszMt8tz

DED has recognized Minden for more than a decade of leadership in a statewide program that encourages strategic planning to support business growth. DED’s Southwest Business Development Consultant, Ashley Rice-Gerlach, announced the city’s recertification in the Leadership Certified Community (LCC) program on Monday, July 20th. The city earned LCC status in 2015 and received recertifications in 2021 and 2026. https://lnkd.in/eqtKCuXZ

Incredible to see the rodeo action taking place at the Sandhills Global Event Center! The 78th National High School Finals Rodeo will continue through July 25th, when the All-Around Cowboy and All-Around Cowgirl will be crowned. When Lincoln last hosted this event in 2021, it brought in over 19,000 visitors. In addition to the rodeo competition, this event includes a rodeo queen contest, evening dances, a volleyball tournament, a triathlon, a career fair, a Western trade show, and more. High School Rodeo NHSRA City of Lincoln – Lincoln, Nebraska

More than 100,000 attendees are expected to descend on Lincoln to witness the largest high school rodeo event in the world. The National High School Finals Rodeo, taking place July 19-25, will include more than 1,800 rodeo contestants from across the U.S. and five other countries – Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Australia, and New Zealand – displaying their unique equestrian skills. The event significantly impacts the economy in and around City of Lincoln – Lincoln, Nebraska. When Lincoln last hosted the event in 2021, it had a $17 million economic impact on the community. DED supported this event by contributing to the upgrades of the Sandhills Global Event Center with a $5 million American Rescue Plan Act grant and a $5 million Shovel-Ready grant. High School Rodeo NHSRA https://lnkd.in/gKZiyTDK

An Iowa-Nebraska collaboration to grow biomanufacturing in the Heartland has just won up to $160 million in funding over 10 years!   The project, known as RuralSTAMINA, is receiving funding from the National Science Foundation.   The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Southeast Community College, and Invest Nebraska are core partner institutions of the initiative.   Congratulations to everyone who helped land this major award!   https://lnkd.in/gHpqBnkS

Thank you to the Village of Kenesaw for giving our team a sneak peek of the newly renovated City Auditorium!   The once-dilapidated building has been through a remarkable transformation!   The main floor of the auditorium has a renovated gym (with a beautifully restored ceiling!), a new kitchen, and now houses the village offices.   The lower level has locker rooms and a wrestling room that will be used by athletes at Kenesaw Public Schools.   DED supported the City Auditorium project through the Rural Community Recovery Program. But it wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing generosity of the local community!   Kenesaw will hold a ribbon cutting for the project on Friday, August 7th at 5:15 pm during the annual Wasenek Weekend celebration.

Congratulations to St. Paul on the completion of major improvements to the city’s parks!   Upgrades include a new toddler playground, musical playground, tennis/pickleball courts, lighting, sidewalks, picnic tables/shelters, and shading for the city pool.   Be sure to check out the new amenities if you’re in town for next weekend’s Howard County Fair!   Thank you to South Central Economic Development District, Inc. for supporting the project!   DED is grateful to have provided federal funds for the park enhancements through the Rural Community Recovery Program.