Planning and Promoting the Area

Many individuals, groups, organizations and businesses are dedicated to promoting and enhancing South Central Nebraska.

Economic Development Goals/Plans

South Central Public Power District is committed to the economic vitality of the area. This commitment is underscored by the Goals of its Economic Development Plan:

1. No operator of a viable business or farm will retire/quit without efforts being made to find a replacement operator.
2. No livable house will be abandoned without an effort to find new inhabitants.
3. A mailing list of area alumni will be kept for the purpose of recruiting them as:
       -New or replacement business and farm operators/owners
       -Employees for area businesses and farms
       -Retirees
4. Every effort will be made to maintain area medical, EMT and law enforcement infrastructure and expand same as economically feasible.
5. Every effort will be made to maintain and expand, if possible, physical assets (roads, recreational, historical) and technological assets (education, energy, telecommunications) within this area.
6. Area consumers will be encouraged to trade LOCALLY.
7. Area communities will be encouraged to co-operate with one another for the good of the area and its residents.
8. Unique area attributes will be promoted and developed.
9. An internet presence will be developed and maintained by South Central PPD to promote South Central Nebraska and the goals stated above.
10. A South Central Nebraska “yellow pages-like” booklet listing products and services provided by residents in South Central Nebraska will be developed and promoted in an effort to promote the local economy.

South Central PPD Participation

In conjunction with the economic development goals of the District, South Central PPD actively participates in the following organizations that promote the vitality of the area:

• Trailblazer RC&D
• Highway 14 Association
• Scenic Highway 136 Organization
• South Platte United Chamber of Commerce
• WeCAN (Webster, Clay, Adams, Nuckolls County) Consortium

In addition, employees of South Central PPD participate in local service clubs, community clubs and community betterment projects within the area.

South Central PPD Projects

South Central PPD promotes the vitality of South Central Nebraska through the following on-going activities and projects:

• Working with leaders from the area communities and counties to establish a South Central Nebraska Economic Development Vision Task Force. The aim of this task force is to develop and establish an economic development vision for South Central Nebraska.

• Plan economic development workshops and establish a link to the state and USDA representatives to help local businesses.

• Promote area attractions, locations of interest and events, including feature stories in the South Central PPD monthly newsletter.

• Develop "facts packets" about the area, targeting industries such as ethanol, dairy, and agri-businesses. Prepare to work with businesses considering the area as a business location.

• Continue to work with local businesses to keep the businesses viable. Work with business retention and expansion.

• Continue to update the South Central Public Power Distric website to promote the amenities of the area.

• Continue to work with and support the local organizations and economic development organizations in South Central Nebraska.

Several area towns have Community Clubs and/or Chamber of Commerce groups that actively promote South Central Nebraska. To help your community, join and become involved in one of these groups.

South Platte United Chambers of Commerce

The purpose of the South Platte United Chambers of Commerce is to further the economic and social welfare of the state of Nebraska with particular reference to the welfare of the territory from which it draws its membership. Several area communities and businesses are members of this organization and benefit from its promotional efforts. Consider joining this active and area-promoting group.

South Central Economic Development District

South Central Economic Development District exists to develop and promote a positive economic climate which supports regional growth. This district covers 12 counties in South Central Nebraska. For more information, contact Sharon Hueftle, Executive Director, sharonh@scedd.us.

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