southeast nebraska development district (sendd) comprehensive economic development ......

Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD)

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

June 2012

MAIN OFFICE

2631 “O” Street, Lincoln, NE 68510

Office: 402-475-2560

Fax: 402-475-2794

[email protected]

HUMBOLDT OFFICE

Office Location – 727 4th Street

PO Box 308, Humboldt, NE 68376

Office: 402-862-2201

[email protected]

www.sendd.org

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.sendd.org/

2012 Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) CEDS

Table of Contents Outline / Section Headings Page Number

A. CEDS Introduction/Overview ................................................................................................................... 1

A.1. Planning Organization ............................................................................................................ 2

A.1.1. Governance Structure ……………………………………………………………………… 4

B. SENDD Region and Its Economy ……………………………………………………………………………….. 5

C. Strategic Planning Process …………………………………………………………………………………….. 34

C.1. SENDD CEDS 2012 Strategy Committee ………………………………………………………… 36

C.2. Broadly Circulated General Priorities Survey……………………………………………………… 38

C.3. District Themes ………………………………………………………………………………………… 39

C.4. Sub-Regional Themes ………………………………………………………………………………… 40

C.5. Combined Analysis / Opportunity Assessments …………………………………………………… 42

D. Vision and Mission ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 49

D.1. Goals and Objectives ………………………………………………………………………………… 50

E. Technical Requirements ............................................................................................................................. 57

elibrary Website Link

We are utilizing an elibrary for source data. Access the elibrary by browsing to http://bit.ly/tgD2Y5. You can review individual county data under the Southeast Nebraska Development District heading when you drop down to the Background Research link. In addition, you will find each individual county assessments under the Socioeconomic Report link. These assessments, for example, provide a detailed socioeconomic profile for each county in the 15 county SENDD region. The 2012 SENDD CEDS planning process builds upon this information and analyses.

SENDD Website Link

The SENDD website also maintains links to the 2012 Southeast Nebraska Development District CEDS document and supporting materials. Go to www.sendd.org and then to the Economic Development link to view CEDS material, including each individual County Opportunity Assessment Report.

http://bit.ly/tgD2Y5


2012 Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) CEDS Page 1 of 61

Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD)

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

June 2012

A. CEDS Introduction/Overview

This Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is the first regional economic development plan completed by the citizen representatives of the fifteen county Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) since its expansion from seven to fifteen counties in 2009. Preparation of the SENDD Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy was funded in part by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration and member communities of the Southeast Nebraska Development District. Note on format/presentation: With the growing presence of web based data, the format of this 2012 SENDD CEDS document will rely heavily on an elibrary of data specific to these 15 southeast Nebraska Counties. The link to this elibrary is: http://bit.ly/tgD2Y5 The Center of Rural Entrepreneurship has prepared and assembled this elibrary in support of, and in collaboration, with the Southeast Nebraska Development District. All supporting background research and background analysis for this elibrary is available in the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship’s online library at: http://bit.ly/tgD2Y5 1) Which takes you to a web page hosted by the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship. 2) Under the Southeast Nebraska Development District heading click on: Background research. 3) From there you can click on your county of choice. 4) As an example of the data available in this CEDS process and CEDS end document click on the link: Socioeconomic Report. This report contains a detailed profile of each county. Taken as a whole, these reports and assembled data, and the Development Opportunity Assessment for each county paints a realistic picture of the current condition of the 15 county SENDD region. The research/statistics/data analysis in the electronic library provides expanded analysis on demographics, the local economy, businesses, agriculture, and trade capture. You are encouraged to view all of these resources for additional insight and clarification. SENDD and the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship team welcome your questions regarding this research. The analysis contained in the county Development Opportunity Assessment reports was prepared by Don Macke, with support from Ahmet Binerer, John Hitt, Dr. Deborah Markley, Kyle Cummings and Ann Chaffin. Information about the Center’s team can be found at: www.energizingentrepreneurs.org





http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/


A.1. Planning Organization – SENDD Region

The Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) is a 15 county area located in southeast

Nebraska. SENDD is the creature of the municipal county governments organized under the

Interlocal Cooperation Act as provided for in Nebraska state statute. The service area

encompasses the member municipal county governments including the counties of Cass,

Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Polk, Richardson, Saline,

Saunders, Seward, Thayer and York.

SENDD began operating as an authorized Economic Development District in an expanded

regional service area in 2009 when the previous seven county River Country Economic

Development District (RCEDD) was reorganized. The most recent region-wide Comprehensive

Economic Development Strategy was developed and accepted by the Economic Development

Administration (EDA) under the former RCEDD. Since that time this multi-county development

district formally added eight additional counties under its authorized Economic Development

District service area, now representing the current total of 15 counties

SENDD region location

SENDD Member Counties:


a) Additional insights as to why the SENDD Map looks this way: Butler County

SENDD is a creature of local Municipal County Government, formed under the Interlocal

Cooperation Act, where each county exercises its right to voluntarily join SENDD and support the

organization with an annual dues structure. The State of Nebraska state statutes include

designated development district boundaries that enable and encourage county governments to

establish associated regional planning areas. When a Nebraska state government initiative was

launched, approximately ten years ago, to encourage all county governments to develop standing

as a designated Economic Development District (EDD) the western tier of counties now in

SENDD explored opportunities to form their own EDD or join an existing EDD.

At that time Butler County elected to not utilize the Interlocal Cooperation Act and associate with

the established economic development district areas enumerated in state statute. And thus the

other 15 counties moved forward to work to re-designate the former seven county River Country

Economic Development District into the current 15 County SENDD as an EDA designated EDD.

b. Additional insights as to why the SENDD Map looks this way: Lancaster County

From its inception in the early 1980’s the River Country Economic Development District was a

seven county region that held a rural focus. When the momentum built approximately 10 years

ago and the western tier of counties came forward to discuss forming a separate District or joining

an existing one, the rural nature of the entity had interest and action coming from Polk, York,

Fillmore Saline, Seward, Thayer, Jefferson and Gage counties. At that time, Lancaster County

explored membership opportunities but did not pursue extended or serious discussion about

Lancaster County becoming a member of SENDD. At this time, SENDD is delivering special

services on a contractual basis to local governments in Lancaster County in order to administer or

manage special projects.


A.1.1 Governance Structure

Southeast Nebraska Development District Governing Board Membership as of 21 June 2012.

GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES Government representatives are members of the elected county governing board from member counties. One member from each of the fifteen member counties constitute this category.

Name Government Position

Peterson, James Curry, Robert Bulgrin, Kurt Koci, Mary Hanson, Leroy Davidson, Jim Adams, Rex Hutton, Bob Smith, Mike Lade, Steve Mueller, Bob Bruning, Dave Stake, Brad Wenz, Bill Yost, Marvin

Cass County Johnson County York County Seward County Saunders County Richardson County Gage County Nemaha County Polk County Otoe County Fillmore County Thayer County Pawnee County Saline County Jefferson County

Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Supervisor Commissioner Supervisor Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner

NON-GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES Non-Elected Representatives compose one-third of the SENDD Board in the following profile:

Name Company / Enterprise Position

Kolterman, Mark Divis, Jerry Brandenburg, Cheryl Harling, Nick Vacant Position

Principal Financial Home Real Estate Black Hills Energy American National Bank

Senior Agent - Seward Realtor – Saunders County Regional Economic Development Mngr Business Banker – Richardson County

STAKEHOLDERS

Name Organization Position

Schrader, Stephanie Watts, Doug Seagren, Cassie Reynolds, Jeff Long, Daryl

Nebraska City Area EDC Greater Wahoo Development York County Development Corp. Rural Enterprise Assistance Proj. Peru State College

Executive Director Executive Director Executive Director Program Director Instructor

AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVES

Name Area of Interest Background

Brown, Gus Daisley, Lowell

Financial Consulting

Retired Lender – York Consultant – Cedar Creek


B. SENDD Region and Its Economy

The Southeast Nebraska Development District is a 15 county region located in southeastern

Nebraska, encompassing 8,478 square miles. Its climate is continental – temperate, having wide

seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation.

Within the SENDD region are four

major river systems: Missouri River,

Platte River, Big Blue River, and

Nemaha River. The Missouri River

provides waterborne transportation

services, linking the region with the

Mississippi River and the Gulf of

Mexico. Harbor and terminal facilities

on the Missouri River are located in or

near Plattsmouth, Nebraska City,

Brownville and Rulo.

SENDD is served by a network of

federal and state highways,

complemented by state and local

highways and roads. Three interstate

highways, Interstate 80, Interstate 70

and Interstate 29, are important transportation routes for area enterprises and industry. Within

the region, a network of expressways provide important connections between population centers

and the interstate highways. These include Nebraska Highway 2 and U.S. Highway 73 & 75 & 77

81. Nebraska Highway 92 is being developed as an expressway connecting the northern City of

Wahoo, Saunders County, with the metropolitan area of Omaha.

Industry throughout the SENDD region is served by two railroad companies, Burlington Northern

& Santa Fe Railway and Union Pacific Railroad. Passenger rail service is available in the nearby

metropolitan centers of Lincoln and Omaha.

The main growth centers in SENDD are the region’s second class cities and area market centers:

Auburn city, Beatrice city, Crete city, Fairbury city, Falls City city, Geneva city, Nebraska City city,

Seward city, Wahoo city and York city.

York

Fillmore

Polk

Thayer Jefferson

Saline

Seward

Gage Pawnee

Johnson

Richardson

Nemaha

Otoe

Cass

Saunders


Natural Resources

Land with the region is primarily privately owned. More than 87 percent of the total land area in

the Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) region is classified as “Land in Farms.”

Land cover/use of land in the region is dominated by crop production.

Land Cover/Use of Land by Type, 2007 SENDD Region

Land Area (Acres)

Land Use SENDD Percent

Distribution Nebraska Percent

Distribution

Total 5,387,003 100% 49,503,400 100%

Land in Farms 4,705,306 87% 45,480,358 92%

Cropland 3,789,743 70% 21,486,025 43%

Pasture & Rangeland 98,791 2% 409,785 1%

Woodland 632,800 12% 22,619,904 46%

Minor-Land Cover 205,384 4% 964,644 2%

Urban & Other 681,697 13% 4,023,042 8%

Note: The Built-up category includes land for residential, commercial, industrial and rural transportation purposes. Minor-Land Cover category includes farmstead, ranch headquarters, mines, quarries, pits, water areas, other rural lands and small built-up areas. Source: USDA, Census of Agriculture 2007

Mineral resources in the SENDD region, included within the Minor-Land Cover category in the

above table, include sand, gravel, limestone, roadstone, riprap, oil, coal, gypsum, carbonatite and

rare earth minerals. There are over 35 limestone quarries operating in the region, most of which

are located in Cass County. Recent exploration of deposits of niobium and rare earth minerals

in Johnson County has identified the potential for commercially viable mining operations which

may be developed in the future.

Water resources in the

region include major

rivers, wetlands and

ground water. Major

rivers in SENDD

include the Missouri,

Platte, Big Blue, Little

Blue, and Big Nemaha

and Little Nemaha Rivers. These river basins are further delineated into 15 watersheds.

Watersheds in the SENDD Region

Upper Big Blue Upper Little Blue Lower Platte-Shell

West Fork Big Blue Lower Little Blue Lower Platte

Middle Big Blue Turkey Keg-Weeping Water

Lower Big Blue Salt Little Nemaha

South Fork Big Nemaha Tarkio-Wolf Big Nemaha

Source: U.S. Geological Service


Wetlands are found throughout the region and provide environmental and economic value. The

western half of the district is within the topographically delineated Loess Plains Region which

includes the Rainwater Basin area in Nebraska. Four district counties are located within this

area: Fillmore, Saline, Seward and York counties.

Water use in the district, both surface and ground water, support both private and public activities.

The largest water use across the district is for agriculture irrigation purposes, accounting for more

than 98 percent of the daily water usage. Power generation is the second largest water use; the

district has two power generation plants in the area, the Nebraska Public Power District’s coal

fired plant in Otoe County and the Omaha Public Power District’s nuclear plant in Nemaha

County. Both power plants primarily draw surface water from the Missouri River for power

generation operations.

The agriculture

sector is the

largest

industrial sector

in the Southeast

Nebraska

Development

District; it is also

the largest

industrial sector

in Nebraska.

Crop production

is the primary

land use within

region.

Agriculture in

the SENDD

region

continues to

move towards

crop production and away from livestock production. The number of farms, and farm operators,

in the region continues its historic decline while average farm size increases.

Agriculture Census Highlights by County SENDD Region

Total Cropland by Number of Farms

Total Cropland by Acres in Farms

Total Sales Average dollars per Farm

County 1997 2007 1997 2007 1997 2007

Cass 628 594 254,950 246,870 96,772 143,918

Fillmore 530 422 326,497 322,967 242,554 468,147

Gage 1,020 1,140 409,596 413,217 100,326 135,785

Jefferson 556 505 238,431 232,700 122,997 219,132

Johnson 457 470 145,630 113,982 60,289 81,323

Nemaha 448 412 201,597 169,508 116,127 160,652

Otoe 736 718 276,413 258,398 86,677 128,855

Pawnee 411 433 145,083 139,385 63,133 96,122

Polk 530 457 220,396 228,592 275,579 504,435

Richardson 665 641 242,399 209,034 96,572 138,492

Saline 666 631 264,956 241,911 105,298 166,363

Saunders 1,094 1,031 382,176 359,915 122,166 204,093

Seward 746 770 278,609 272,420 176,233 248,540

Thayer 513 432 287,879 266,148 188,864 342,249

York 664 496 320,258 314,696 250,437 507,169

Total 9,661 9,152 3,994,870 3,789,743 140,268 236,352

Source: USDA, Census of Agriculture, 1997, 2007


The financial position of farm operators is greatly influenced by domestic farm policy and trade

policy. Globalization of agriculture will continue to have a significant affect on farm operations.

Markets will be affected by world agriculture production, agriculture exports and international

trade policy.

Environmental Issues

The SENDD region does not have any identified federally protected area or designated Super

Fund sites. At present there are no designated Brownfield sites in the region. However, the

district will continue to work with municipalities to conduct environmental planning, assessment,

and identification of brownfield sites in order to facilitate enhanced economic development.

Groundwater quality continues to be a concern of many district communities. Individual

communities have been assisted with efforts to protect wellhead areas and identify alternative

strategies to protect and provide safe, quality ground water for municipal use. All municipal water

resources in the district are obtained from ground water sources. Communities across the region

are experiencing increasing levels of regulated trace elements and nitrates in their existing

ground water sources, which may affect their ability to continue to provide adequate service.

Many of communities in the SENDD region have aging and obsolete wastewater treatment

facilities that could have their operational status impacted by changing environmental

requirements affecting discharge permits. New, more stringent permitting requirements regarding

trace elements in permitted discharge operations will affect communities across the district.

Elmwood officials worked with its Village engineer and the Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) to identify funding sources. As part of the review process, they worked with the Water Wastewater Advisory Committee (WWAC) committee to move the project forward and gain input and recommendations. With assistance from SENDD, Elmwood officials conducted a community needs assessment and income survey. The Village learned that it met the income threshold for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Elmwood applied for and was awarded a $250,000 CDBG in May 2009. Additional funding for the project came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Rural Utilities Service program and local Village funds.


Demographic Characteristics

The population of the Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) declined in the decade

2000 to 2010, by -1.4 percent, reversing the growth experienced the previous decade. Total

population in the district relative to the State of Nebraska declined, as the population of the state

continued to increase in the 2000’s.

Population change varied across the district with notable gains reported in counties adjoining

Nebraska’s two metropolitan areas of Omaha and Lincoln. Six of the seven member counties

with shared borders to the Lincoln and Omaha metropolitan counties, Cass, Otoe, Johnson,

Saline, Seward and Saunders counties, experienced gains ranging from 1.5 to 16.2 percent.

Gage county reported a population loss of -3.0 percent. Thayer, Richardson and Fillmore

counties reported the largest population declines, -13.7, -12.3 and -11.2 percent respectively.

Historically, population change in Nebraska and the SENDD region has been driven by migration.

This trend has resulted in an aging population in the district and is accompanied by a decline

Population History SENDD Region

Population Count % Change Median Age

County 2000 2010 2000-10 2000 2010

Cass 24,334 25,241 3.7% 36.9 41.1

Fillmore 6,634 5,890 -11.2% 41.4 46.3

Gage 22,993 22,311 -3.0% 39.9 43.7

Jefferson 8,333 7,547 -9.4% 42.9 46.8

Johnson 4,488 5,217 16.2% 42.9 43.3

Nemaha 7,576 7,248 -4.3% 39.4 41

Otoe 15,396 15,740 2.2% 39.5 42.9

Pawnee 3,087 2,773 -10.2% 45.9 49.3

Polk 5,639 5,406 -4.1% 41.6 45.3

Richardson 9,531 8,363 -12.3% 41.4 47.1

Saline 13,843 14,200 2.6% 36.4 36.4

Saunders 19,830 20,780 4.8% 38.0 41.5

Seward 16,496 16,750 1.5% 35.7 38

Thayer 6,055 5,228 -13.7% 44.1 49.2

York 14,598 13,665 -6.4% 38.8 42.2

SENDD Region 178,833 176,359 -1.4% x x

Nebraska 1,711,263 1,826,341 6.7% 35.3 36.2

Source: Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing 2000, 2010


in birth rates. Between 2000 and 2010, deaths exceeded births in nine of the fifteen district

counties.

Nine district counties lost population between 2000 and 2010, while the State of Nebraska

population increased by 6.7 percent over the same period. This reversed the previous decade of

growth.

The median age of the population of SENDD continues to steadily increase, as does that of the

State of Nebraska. In 2010 the median age across the district ranged from a low of 36.4 years in

Saline County to 49.3 years in Pawnee County. The median age in Nebraska was 36.2 years in

2010.

Population History SENDD Region

Total Population

County 1980 1990 2000 2010 Change

1980 to 2010 Change

2000 to 2010

Cass 20,297 21,318 2,4334 25,241 24.36% 3.73%

Fillmore 7,920 7,103 6634 5,890 -25.63% -11.21%

Gage 24,456 22,794 22,993 22,311 -8.77% -2.97%

Jefferson 9,817 8,759 8,333 7,547 -23.12% -9.43%

Johnson 5,285 4,673 4,488 5,217 -1.29% 16.24%

Nemaha 8,367 7,980 7,576 7,248 -13.37% -4.33%

Otoe 15,183 14,252 15,396 15,740 3.67% 2.23%

Pawnee 3,937 3,317 3,087 2,773 -29.57% -10.17%

Polk 6,320 5,675 5,639 5,406 -14.46% -4.13%

Richardson 11,315 9,937 9,531 8,363 -26.09% -12.25%

Saline 13,131 12,715 13,843 14,200 8.14% 2.58%

Saunders 18,716 18,285 19,830 20,780 11.03% 4.79%

Seward 15,789 15,450 16,496 16,750 6.09% 1.54%

Thayer 7,582 6,635 6,055 5,228 -31.05% -13.66%

York 14,798 14,428 14,598 13,665 -7.66% -6.39%

SENDD Region 182,913 173,321 178,833 176,359 -3.58% -1.38%

Nebraska 1,569,825 1,569,825 1,711,263 1,826,341 16.34% 6.72%

Source: Bureau of the Census, various years.


As shown in the table, the median

age by sex is reported for each

county in the district.

The median age for females is

higher than that for males across

the district, as it is for the state.

Thayer County has the highest

median age for females (50.6) and

males (48.0). Saline County has

the lowest median age for females

(37.8) and males (34.9), which is

indicative of the presence of Doane

University in Crete and its high

population count of Hispanics in the

district.

There are five counties with

institutions of higher education

located within their borders:

Gage County with the

Southeast Community College

campus in Beatrice; Nemaha

County with Peru State

College in Peru; Saline County

with Doane University in Crete;

Seward County with Concordia

University in Seward and a

Southeast Community College

campus in Milford; and York

County with York College.

Median Age by Sex, 2010 SENDD Region Counties

County Median

Age Male Median Age

Female Median Age

Both

Cass 39.9 42.1 41.1

Fillmore 44.9 47.5 46.3

Gage 42.2 45.1 43.7

Jefferson 45.7 48.2 46.8

Johnson 39.9 47.4 43.3

Nemaha 38.9 42.8 41.0

Otoe 41.1 44.8 42.9

Pawnee 47.8 50.3 49.3

Polk 44.6 46.4 45.3

Richardson 45.6 48.7 47.1

Saline 34.9 37.8 36.4

Saunders 40.4 42.6 41.5

Seward 35.7 40.1 38.0

Thayer 48.0 50.6 49.2

York 40.1 44.0 42.2

Nebraska 35.0 37.5 36.2

Source: Bureau of the Census, 2010

Median Age by Sex, 2010 SENDD Region Growth Centers

County Median

Age Male Median Age

Female Median Age

Both

Auburn city 40.2 43.7 42.1

Beatrice city 39.9 44.9 42.6

Crete city 27.0 29.9 28.5

Fairbury city 41.5 46.8 44.5

Falls City city 40.5 47.6 44.4

Geneva city 43.7 45.4 44.3

Nebraska City city 38.0 44.2 40.9

Plattsmouth city 34.5 38.8 36.5

Seward city 31.0 34.1 32.4

Wahoo city 36.4 41.3 38.7

York city 35.9 42.6 39.4

Lincoln city 30.9 32.8 31.8

Omaha city 32.5 34.6 33.5

Nebraska 35.0 37.5 36.2



The median age of district growth centers, as illustrated in the above table, provides comparisons

between the district, State of Nebraska, and the state’s two metropolitan cities, Omaha and

Lincoln. The City of Crete in Saline County has the lowest median age (28.5) among this group,

including the metropolitan counties; in addition to having the lowest median age for both males

(27.0) and females (29.9).

The cities of Crete and Seward are the only two district growth centers with a median age below

the comparison areas of Omaha, Lincoln and State of Nebraska. Each of the other growth

centers has a higher median age for each sex and the combined median age. The cities of

Fairbury, Falls City and Geneva have the highest median ages among the eleven identified

growth centers.

The population age distribution for the region and constituent counties in displayed below. For

the district, 6.2 percent are under the age of five years, 20.1 percent are between 5 to 19 years,

15.5 percent between 20 to 34 years, 27.1 percent between 35 to 54 years, 21.8 percent between

55 to 74 years, and 9.3 percent aged 75 years and older.

Population of Selected Age Group, 2010 SENDD Region

County Total

Population Under 5 years

5 to 19 years

20 to 34 years

35 to 54 years

55 to 74 years

75+ years

Median Age

Cass 25,241 1,585 5,377 3,750 7,410 5,501 1,618 41.1

Fillmore 5,890 330 1,194 719 1,500 1,425 722 46.3

Gage 22,311 1,386 4,198 3,397 6,059 4,948 2,323 43.7

Jefferson 7,547 426 1,329 1,042 1,930 1,911 909 46.8

Johnson 5,217 278 794 1,000 1,586 1,065 494 43.3

Nemaha 7,248 438 1,459 1,340 1,733 1,576 702 41

Otoe 15,740 1,008 3,097 2,321 4,340 3,353 1,621 42.9

Pawnee 2,773 146 519 279 694 734 401 49.3

Polk 5,406 322 1,082 644 1,459 1,313 586 45.3

Richardson 8,363 425 1,556 1,072 2,209 2,096 1,005 47.1

Saline 14,200 1,006 3,128 2,752 3,679 2,488 1,147 36.4

Saunders 20,780 1,398 4,436 2,989 6,021 4,387 1,549 41.5

Seward 16,750 1,021 3,783 3,060 4,300 3,313 1,273 38

Thayer 5,228 304 916 578 1,294 1,371 765 49.2

York 13,665 869 2,562 2,362 3,560 3,013 1,299 42.2

SENDD 176,359 10,942 35,430 27,305 47,774 38,494 16,414 x

Nebraska 1,826,341 131,908 380,564 374,452 479,564 336,302 123,551 36.2



As noted above, out migration is often associated with an older remaining population.

This situation is apparent for the

district when compared to the state

as a whole.

As displayed in the table, the

member counties of SENDD have a

lower percentage of persons age

under 20 years and older that 65

years. In 2010, the District had

26.3 percent of its population under

20 yeas of age compared to 28.1

percent for the State of Nebraska.

And the District had 17.8 percent of

its population age 65 years and

over compared to 13.5 percent for

the state.

This suggests the District has a

working age population that is

smaller than the relative share of

the population for the State of

Nebraska. One measure of an area’s share of its working age population is the dependency

ratio. As illustrated in the above table, the District and all but one county, i.e., Johnson County,

has a higher dependency ratio that the State of Nebraska.

The dependency ratio is a measure of the number of persons in the total population who are less

than 20 years of age and those 65 years and older relative to the number of persons who are in

the prime working age group, between 20 and 64 years of age. For every 100 persons in SENDD

of prime working age in 2010 there were 79 persons not in this age category, compared to 71.1

persons for the state as a whole.

Dependent Age Groups, 2010 SENDD Region Counties

County % Under 20 Years

% 65 Years and Over

Dependency Ratio

Cass 27.6 14.3 72.0

Fillmore 25.9 22.3 93.1

Gage 25.0 19.4 79.9

Jefferson 23.3 22.0 82.7

Johnson 20.5 17.6 61.7

Nemaha 26.2 18.0 79.1

Otoe 26.1 18.9 81.7

Pawnee 24.0 26.0 99.8

Polk 26.0 19.8 84.3

Richardson 23.7 22.9 87.3

Saline 29.1 14.6 77.7

Saunders 28.1 15.5 77.2

Seward 28.7 15.2 78.2

Thayer 23.3 25.8 96.5

York 25.1 18.2 76.4

SENDD 26.3 17.8 79.0

Nebraska 28.1 13.5 71.1



Racial and ethnic minorities accounted for 4.2 percent of the total district population in 2010,

compared to 2.7 percent in 2000. Saline County has the largest number and largest percentage

of residents who identify themselves as either Hispanic or other than “White.” In Saline County,

over 20 percent of residents identified their ethnicity as “Hispanic.”

The fastest growing segment of the population, based on race or ethnicity, is the Hispanic

population. The minority population of SENDD nearly doubled between 2000 and 2010,

increasing 96.2 percent, with the Hispanic population increasing by 136.9 percent. The largest

minority group in 2010, just as in 2000, is the “Hispanic” ethnic or race category selected by

enumerated residents. The second largest minority group in 2010 is “African American”, in 2000

it was the “Asian” minority group.

Population by Ethnic and Race Background SENDD Region

Hispanic

White Not Hispanic

African American Not Hispanic

Asian Not Hispanic

Native American Not Hispanic

County 2000 2010 2000 2010 2000 2010 2000 2010 2000 2010

Cass 355 608 23,821 24,633 43 87 85 85 72 83

Fillmore 110 178 6,485 5,712 14 36 4 9 29 28

Gage 196 385 22,463 21,926 73 72 65 86 133 108

Jefferson 109 200 8,201 7,347 6 24 14 18 32 27

Johnson 129 435 4,198 4,782 5 278 120 71 18 58

Nemaha 76 133 7,394 7,115 27 63 45 31 23 19

Otoe 377 902 14,999 14,838 44 75 38 68 34 46

Pawnee 21 35 3,052 2,738 0 9 8 8 6 4

Polk 61 156 5,578 5,250 1 6 5 6 16 11

Richardson 100 112 9,116 8,251 18 15 14 27 221 250

Saline 911 2,870 12,872 11,330 50 125 236 225 52 55

Saunders 205 415 19,530 20,365 21 71 43 83 57 53

Seward 179 272 16,174 16,478 47 60 48 72 34 53

Thayer 61 76 5,976 5,152 1 12 7 16 17 8

York 205 555 14,128 13,110 140 158 71 60 42 58

SENDD Region 3,095 7,332 173,987 169,027 490 1,091 803 865 786 861

1.7% 4.2% 97.3% 95.8% 0.3% 0.6% 0.4% 0.5% 0.4% 0.5%

Nebraska 94,425 167,405 1,533,261 1,658,936 68,541 82,885 21,931 32,293 14,896 18,427

5.5% 9.2% 89.6% 90.8% 4.0% 4.5% 1.3% 1.8% 0.9% 1.0%

Source: Bureau of the Census, 2000 , 2010


Components of population change include natural increase (number of births minus the number

of deaths) and net migration (the difference between population for the end year and the

beginning year less natural increase). Net migration has two components: international and

domestic. Negative population change in district counties, between 2000 and 2009, were

primarily due to negative net migration. This out migration of population, combined with an aging

in place population, can affect the region’s ability to provide existing and future employment and

income opportunities.

The most current estimates of county population change in the SENDD region is available from

the U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division’s estimates reported in “Cumulative Estimates of

the Components of Resident Population Change for Counties of Nebraska: April 1, 2000 to July

1, 2009.”

International

migration was

positive for all

counties in the

region for the

indicated period.

However, negative

net domestic

migration was

experienced by all

but two counties.

Cass county and

Johnson county

reported gains in

net migration.

Cumulative Estimates of Selected Components of Population Change: 2000 to 2009 SENDD Region

Total Population Change*

Natural Increase

Net Migration

County Total International Domestic

Cass 1,151 995 306 43 263

Fillmore -672 -215 -418 10 -428

Gage -340 -27 -171 13 -184

Jefferson -1,102 -232 -843 6 -849

Johnson 589 -41 636 77 559

Nemaha -720 -67 -626 6 -632

Otoe -182 89 -175 35 -210

Pawnee -473 -186 -283 6 -289

Polk -560 -13 -518 18 -536

Richardson -1,406 -536 -834 15 -849

Saline 29 359 -247 475 -722

Saunders 227 606 -256 102 -358

Seward -15 285 -204 44 -248

Thayer -1,045 -281 -740 6 -746

York -761 323 -1,011 133 -1,144

SENDD Region -5,280 1,059 -5,384 989 -6,373

Nebraska 85,354 102,206 -9,156 31,988 -41,144

*Note: Total population change includes a residual. This residual represents the change in population that cannot be attributed to any specific demographic component.

Source: Bureau of the Census, Population Division (CO-EST2009-04-31), March 2010


For the reported period, the net natural increase component of population change was

overwhelmed by the negative net migration counts. The figure below illustrates the net migration

count relative to the county 2000 population. While the population of the 15 county region

declined by 1.38 percent between 2000 and 2010, the major factor in the decline could be

attributed to the negative net migration, based upon the estimates for the 2000 to 2009 period

reported in the above table.

The combination of negative natural increase in population and negative net migration in the

region is a concern for most counties in the district. Demographic change via depopulation and

aging population is an issue region-wide, though less so in Cass, Johnson, Saline, Saunders and

Seward counties.


Housing

The housing stock profile for the SENDD region is presented below. One-unit housing structures

represent 86 percent of SENDD’s housing stock, compared with 77 percent for the state, in 2010.

Housing Stock Profile, 2010 SENDD Region

County 1 Unit % 1 Unit 2-9 Units % 2-9 Units 10+ Units

% 10+ Units

Mobile Home, Trailer, Other

% Mobile Home, Trailer, Other

Cass 9,599 86.70 524 4.73 495 4.47 1,016 9.18

Fillmore 2,612 89.03 172 5.86 181 6.17 256 8.73

Gage 8,765 83.83 1,313 12.56 613 5.86 417 3.99

Jefferson 3,641 92.58 128 3.25 280 7.12 157 3.99

Johnson 1,882 85.90 227 10.36 130 5.93 226 10.31

Nemaha 2,840 81.05 480 13.70 273 7.79 275 7.85

Otoe 5,986 85.62 589 8.43 440 6.29 528 7.55

Pawnee 1,385 89.35 193 12.45 133 8.58 237 15.29

Polk 2,384 87.04 122 4.45 133 4.86 337 12.30

Richardson 3,923 88.24 249 5.60 280 6.30 372 8.37

Saline 4,692 81.69 811 14.12 485 8.44 427 7.43

Saunders 8,104 88.94 653 7.17 374 4.10 470 5.16

Seward 5,624 82.15 926 13.53 392 5.73 465 6.79

Thayer 2,534 91.91 190 6.89 61 2.21 205 7.44

York 5,074 81.65 491 7.90 702 11.30 533 8.58

SENDD Region 69,045 85.78 7,068 8.78 4,972 6.18 5,921 7.36

Nebraska 604,254 76.66 70,673 8.97 87,139 11.06 32,671 4.14

Source: Bureau of the Census, 2000, 2010

Housing investment in rural areas can have a particularly noticeable impact on economic development. Even a few units of new housing development can bring needed improvements to infrastructure, increase property values community-wide and spur private investment and development for communities. Photograph shows rehabilitated home within established neighborhood.


The SENDD region experienced an increase of 3,057 housing units between 2000 and 2010,

representing a 4 percent gain. The largest gains were reported in counties adjacent to

metropolitan areas; Cass and Saunders counties reported the largest gains. Five counties,

Fillmore, Jefferson, Pawnee, Richardson and Thayer, reported a net loss in housing units.

For the State of Nebraska, the count of housing units increased by 9 percent. One district county,

Saunders, exceeded the gains reported by the state. The SENDD region shares many of the

housing concerns as other rural areas throughout the state and country, particularly the

availability of moderately priced housing of modern acceptable quality and choice.

Total and Occupied Housing Units: 2000 and 2010 SENDD Region

2000 2010

County

All Housing

Units Occupied

Units

% Occupied

Units

All Housing

Units Occupied

Units

% Occupied

Units

Cass 10,179 9,161 89.9 11,072 9,610 86.8

Fillmore 2,990 2,689 89.9 2,934 2,572 87.7

Gage 10,030 9,316 92.8 10,456 9,219 88.2

Jefferson 3,942 3,527 89.4 3,933 3,279 83.4

Johnson 2,116 1,887 89.1 2,191 1,980 90.4

Nemaha 3,439 3,047 88.6 3,504 3,024 86.3

Otoe 6,567 6,060 92.2 6,991 6,335 90.6

Pawnee 1,587 1,339 84.3 1,550 1,309 84.5

Polk 2,717 2,259 83.1 2,739 2,230 81.4

Richardson 4,560 3,993 87.5 4,446 3,862 86.9

Saline 5,611 5,188 92.4 5,744 5,020 87.4

Saunders 8,266 7,498 90.7 9,112 7,985 87.6

Seward 6,428 6,013 93.5 6,846 6,394 93.4

Thayer 2,828 2,541 89.8 2,757 2,247 81.5

York 6,172 5,722 92.7 6,214 5,771 92.9

SENDD Region 77,432 70,240 90.7 80,489 70,837 88.0

Nebraska 722,668 666,184 92.1 788,218 711,771 90.3

Source: Bureau of the Census, 2000, 2010


Owner occupied housing is the dominant housing tenure in the SENDD region. More than 75

percent of the occupied housing units in the district are classified as owner occupied. The

comparative level of owner occupied housing in Nebraska is 67 percent, according to the Census

2010.

Housing is a durable good and

represents a significant capital

purchase for consumers. Thus,

economic conditions greatly

influence the production of

housing on the local level. Within

the SENDD region, there have

been large swings in housing

construction activity that reflects

the vitality of the economy.

As displayed in the table below,

new housing construction in the

last decade dropped to levels

below that of the 1980’s. While

most counties experienced decreased housing construction activity, Otoe and Saunders counties

continued to record gains over the time period.

The existing housing stock represents modest to moderately priced housing available to residents

and prospective residents in the SENDD region. This impacts economic development efforts in a

positive manner because moderately priced housing serves the needs of most employers to

attract workers, but also it can be disadvantageous because older housing stock tends to not

meet current consumers’ preferences in terms of amenities demanded in today’s market

Housing Tenure, 2010 SENDD Region Counties

County Owner Occupied Renter Occupied

Cass 7,839 1,859

Fillmore 1,920 563

Gage 6,700 2,722

Jefferson 2,479 869

Johnson 1,370 477

Nemaha 2,097 855

Otoe 4,659 1,703

Pawnee 979 251

Polk 1,697 515

Richardson 2,776 942

Saline 3,575 1,556

Saunders 6,407 1,633

Seward 4,668 1,598

Thayer 1,813 483

York 3,927 1,637

SENDD 52,906 17,663

Nebraska 484,730 236,400



environment. Seward and Cass counties’ housing stock has the largest percentage of newer

housing, while Jefferson County has the lowest percentage of newer housing.

Housing - Year Structure Built SENDD Region

1939 and

earlier 1940-1949

1950-1959

1960-1969 1970-1979 1980-1989

1990-1999

2000-2010 Total County

Cass 3,328 470 911 1,148 2,130 1,393 1,773 1,236 12,389

26.86% 3.79% 7.35% 9.27% 17.19% 11.24% 14.31% 9.98% 100.00%

Fillmore 1,428 186 283 324 526 322 239 155 3,463

41.24% 5.37% 8.17% 9.36% 15.19% 9.30% 6.90% 4.48% 100.00%

Gage 3,632 804 1,328 1,363 1,577 908 1,237 1,005 11,854

30.64% 6.78% 11.20% 11.50% 13.30% 7.66% 10.44% 8.48% 100.00%

Jefferson 2,095 439 381 495 624 254 225 171 4,684

44.73% 9.37% 8.13% 10.57% 13.32% 5.42% 4.80% 3.65% 100.00%

Johnson 1,120 276 163 315 368 108 182 133 2,665

42.03% 10.36% 6.12% 11.82% 13.81% 4.05% 6.83% 4.99% 100.00%

Nemaha 1,741 444 352 414 414 335 332 268 4,300

40.49% 10.33% 8.19% 9.63% 9.63% 7.79% 7.72% 6.23% 100.00%

Otoe 2,544 785 659 914 1,088 577 801 808 8,176

31.12% 9.60% 8.06% 11.18% 13.31% 7.06% 9.80% 9.88% 100.00%

Pawnee 1,000 102 98 104 232 123 156 80 1,895

52.77% 5.38% 5.17% 5.49% 12.24% 6.49% 8.23% 4.22% 100.00%

Polk 1,234 167 287 414 515 311 176 147 3,251

37.96% 5.14% 8.83% 12.73% 15.84% 9.57% 5.41% 4.52% 100.00%

Richardson 2,240 443 674 464 626 289 432 215 5,383

41.61% 8.23% 12.52% 8.62% 11.63% 5.37% 8.03% 3.99% 100.00%

Saline 2,354 458 649 755 1,085 468 693 514 6,976

33.74% 6.57% 9.30% 10.82% 15.55% 6.71% 9.93% 7.37% 100.00%

Saunders 3,503 444 653 989 1,971 658 986 1,092 10,296

34.02% 4.31% 6.34% 9.61% 19.14% 6.39% 9.58% 10.61% 100.00%

Seward 2,064 493 607 848 1,489 505 1,192 864 8,062

25.60% 6.12% 7.53% 10.52% 18.47% 6.26% 14.79% 10.72% 100.00%

Thayer 1,332 278 301 295 447 236 170 161 3,220

41.37% 8.63% 9.35% 9.16% 13.88% 7.33% 5.28% 5.00% 100.00%

York 2,319 530 698 1,086 1,185 734 539 255 7,346

31.57% 7.21% 9.50% 14.78% 16.13% 9.99% 7.34% 3.47% 100.00%

SENDD 31,934 6,319 8,044 9,928 14,277 7,221 9,133 7,104 93,960

33.99% 6.73% 8.56% 10.57% 15.19% 7.69% 9.72% 7.56% 100.00%

Nebraska 187,664 44,894 82,792 94,251 138,855 75,710 93,121 83,865 801,152

23.42% 5.60% 10.33% 11.76% 17.33% 9.45% 11.62% 10.47% 100.00%



The median value of a single-family home in

the SENDD region varies from $55,100 in

Pawnee County to $142,800 in Cass County.

For the State of Nebraska this value is

$123,900, according to the 2010 Census.

Median values vary widely across the district,

reflecting many factors such as proximity to

metropolitan areas, age of the housing stock,

occupancy patterns and local economic

conditions and opportunities.

Median Value of Single-Family Homes SENDD Region Counties

County Median Value ($)

Cass 142,800

Fillmore 75,100

Gage 97,800

Jefferson 74,400

Johnson 76,400

Nemaha 78,200

Otoe 114,000

Pawnee 55,100

Polk 86,400

Richardson 63,700

Saline 95,100

Saunders 137,500

Seward 136,400

Thayer 61,900

York 92,300

Nebraska 123,900


New Private Housing Units Authorized by Building Permit by County SENDD Region

County 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Cass 146 105 84 71 51 65 52

Fillmore 3 3 3 3 0 3 3

Gage 42 32 25 36 8 17 8

Jefferson 16 21 9 7 7 6 3

Johnson 5 2 3 2 0 2 3

Nemaha 32 14 18 13 5 9 7

Otoe 71 55 43 30 30 38 22

Pawnee 0 1 5 0 2 0 0

Polk 7 1 0 0 0 2 3

Richardson 1 5 0 2 2 1 19

Saline 43 50 16 13 64 15 17

Saunders 158 124 108 106 64 59 59

Seward 78 71 61 29 33 41 37

Thayer 5 7 3 10 3 6 6

York 27 16 34 9 36 11 22

SENDD 634 507 412 331 305 275 261

Source: Bureau of the Census


Within the SENDD region, the average annual number of new private housing units authorized by

building permit since 2005 is 389 units. Since the Great Recession began in 2007, the number of

annual building permits for new private housing has steadily declined across the SENDD region.

However, the district counties not located adjacent the metropolitan areas of Omaha and Lincoln

experienced an average annual decline of -5.1 percent in units permitted between 2005 and 2011

while those adjacent counties recorded an average annual decline of -10.6 percent.


Economy and Employment

The labor force in the SENDD region includes 95,141 individuals, of which 90,504 were employed

in 2010. The labor force is a subset of the working age population of the area. In the SENDD

region, the working age population, defined as individuals age 16 years and older, for 2010

totaled 139,916, or 79.3 percent of the total population. Johnson County had the highest

percentage of working age persons in this period and Cass County reported the lowest, 83.2

percent and 77.7 percent respectively.

As displayed in the labor force summary table below, the district wide unemployment rate was 4.9

percent in 2010. Richardson and Nemaha counties have the highest unemployment rate among

counties in the region.

Thayer, Fillmore, Pawnee

and Polk counties

recorded the lowest

unemployment rates in the

SENDD region. Among

the 15 counties in the

region, eight counties

reported an unemployment

rate below that of the

statewide rate or 4.7

percent for the State of

Nebraska.

Labor Force Summary by County, 2010 SENDD Region

County Civilian

Labor Force Total

Employment

Unemployment

Number Rate

Cass 13,352 12,573 779 5.8

Fillmore 3,182 3,058 124 3.9

Gage 12,023 11,370 653 5.4

Jefferson 4,375 4,172 203 4.6

Johnson 3,006 2,885 121 4.0

Nemaha 3,395 3,190 205 6.0

Otoe 8,916 8,491 425 4.8

Pawnee 1,605 1,542 63 3.9

Polk 3,002 2,885 118 3.9

Richardson 4,204 3,930 275 6.5

Saline 8,407 8,072 335 4.0

Saunders 10,922 10,381 541 5.0

Seward 8,808 8,460 348 4.0

Thayer 2,831 2,725 106 3.7

York 7,113 6,770 344 4.8

SENDD 95,141 90,504 4,640 4.9

Source: Nebraska Department of Labor, 2010


Employment by industry for the SENDD region is displayed below. In 2011, the largest

industries, according to Labor Market Statistics, were Manufacturing and Health Care & Social

Assistance. Employment in these industries represents 13.0 percent and 12.8 percent,

respectively, of the total employment in the region.

Employment by Industry in SENDD Region

Manufacturing is the only industry that employs more than 10,000 people, Four industries employ

more than 5,000 people, these are Health Care/Social Assistance, Education Services, Retail

Trade and Public Administration.


The table below presents the number of business firms by county. In 2010, Gage and Cass

counties had the largest number of firms, 652 and 532, respectively. Seven counties had

employers with more than 250 employees, providing income and employment opportunities for

district residents.

Business Firms by Number of Employees, 2010 SENDD Region

Firms – Number of Employees

County Total 1 to 4 5 to 9 10 to 19 20 to 49 50 to 99 100 to 249 250 +

Cass 532 356 86 53 30 5 2 0

Fillmore 224 139 38 28 15 3 1 0

Gage 652 375 138 73 45 11 5 5

Jefferson 234 131 53 26 12 9 3 0

Johnson 124 80 23 14 3 2 1 1

Nemaha 199 113 50 20 13 1 2 0

Otoe 484 300 85 55 29 9 4 2

Pawnee 70 46 13 7 2 1 1 0

Polk 144 97 25 16 3 3 0 0

Richardson 263 160 53 37 7 5 1 0

Saline 301 173 52 47 15 5 5 4

Saunders 499 338 70 56 26 4 5 0

Seward 442 263 84 60 17 10 5 3

Thayer 202 121 43 22 9 5 1 1

York 508 268 102 73 46 10 8 1

SENDD 4,878 2,960 915 587 272 83 44 17



The district experienced a net loss of

business establishments between 2005

and 2010, according to County Business

Patterns reports. Three counties

reported net gains in the number of

establishments, Otoe (9.0%), Saunders

(4.6%) and York (0.8%) counties. The

largest net decline in the number of

establishments was recorded in Pawnee

County (-6.7%). The other eleven

counties reported losses between -5.7%

and -0.7% during the period.

Across the SENDD region,

62 percent of workers work

in their county of residence

and 36 percent work outside

their county. Two percent of

workers work outside of

Nebraska.

York County has largest

share of workers who work

in their county of residence

(86%) while Cass and

Saunders had the fewest

Business Establishments: 1990 - 2010 SENDD Region

Number of Establishments

County 1995 2000 2005 2010

Cass 447 519 553 532

Fillmore 238 227 227 224

Gage 630 686 679 652

Jefferson 259 243 241 234

Johnson 131 132 131 124

Nemaha 194 204 211 199

Otoe 420 440 444 484

Pawnee 75 80 75 70

Polk 147 147 134 144

Richardson 304 292 265 263

Saline 315 313 303 301

Saunders 438 456 477 499

Seward 383 422 454 442

Thayer 226 215 212 202

York 509 502 504 508

SENDD 4,716 4,878 4,910 4,878

Source: County Business Patterns, Various years.

Place of Employment - 2010 SENDD Region

County

Work Inside of Work Outside of

State of Residence

County of Residence

County of Residence

State of Residence

Cass 12,566 4,189 8,377 371

Fillmore 2,997 2,233 764 16

Gage 10,742 8,194 2,548 177

Jefferson 3,839 3,102 737 42

Johnson 2,124 1,307 817 22

Nemaha 3,211 2,606 605 120

Otoe 7,464 4,914 2,550 276

Pawnee 1,227 857 370 85

Polk 2,655 1,489 1,166 10

Richardson 3,276 2,634 642 612

Saline 6,716 4,880 1,836 15

Saunders 10,691 4,237 6,454 169

Seward 8,613 5,195 3,418 28

Thayer 2,481 2,147 334 81

York 7,114 6,173 941 73

SENDD 85,716 54,157 31,559 2,097

Source: Bureau of the Census, 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates


number of resident workers working in their county of residence (32% and 39% respectively).

Richardson County had the largest share of workers who work outside their state of residence at

16 percent, while Pawnee County had the second largest percentage at 6 percent.

Income

In 2010 the fifteen county region had a per capita personal income (PCPI) of $37,791. This was

95.6 percent of the Nebraska PCPI in 2010. Although the SENDD region PCPI as a whole has

lagged the state, individual counties have recorded PCPI exceeding the state average. Fillmore

County has consistently reported a higher PCPI, while Cass, Polk and York counties have

reported PCPI exceeding the state level through the years.

Per Capita Personal Income SENDD Region

Per Capita Income ($) Percent of State Percent Change Area 1990 2000 2010 1990 2000 2010

Nebraska 17,948 28,590 39,534 100% 100% 100% 38.3%

SENDD 17,024 25,479 37,791 94.9 89.1 95.6 48.3

Cass 16,375 28,696 39,025 91.2 100.4 98.7 36.0

Fillmore 21,132 29,087 44,030 117.7 101.7 111.4 51.4

Gage 17,066 26,238 37,470 95.1 91.8 94.8 42.8

Jefferson 16,714 24,117 36,115 93.1 84.4 91.4 49.7

Johnson 16,348 22,352 31,839 91.1 78.2 80.5 42.4

Nemaha 16,178 27,644 36,324 90.1 96.7 91.9 31.4

Otoe 15,552 24,923 36,308 86.7 87.2 91.8 45.7

Pawnee 17,442 23,323 34,963 97.2 81.6 88.4 49.9

Polk 19,654 25,540 44,265 109.5 89.3 112.0 73.3

Richardson 15,759 23,750 35,827 87.8 83.1 90.6 50.9

Saline 16,042 22,208 33,232 89.4 77.7 84.1 49.6

Saunders 14,990 26,523 39,411 83.5 92.8 99.7 48.6

Seward 16,744 26,692 38,799 93.3 93.4 98.1 45.4

Thayer 17,485 24,324 38,864 97.4 85.1 98.3 59.8

York 17,883 26,769 40,395 99.6 93.6 102.2 50.9

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, REIS


Polk County recorded the highest PCPI within the region in 2010, $44,265 compared to the

region’s $37,791 and $39,534 for the state.

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the personal income of a local area is defined as

the income received by the residents of the local area. Total Personal Income includes net

earnings by place of residence (including proprietors’ income); rent, dividends, and interest; and

personal current transfer receipts received by the residents of the area.

For the SENDD region, the 2000-2010 compound annual growth rate of Total Personal Income

was 3.7 percent. The compound annual growth rate for the State of Nebraska was 4.0 percent

and for the nation was 3.7 percent. Polk and Johnson counties recorded the largest compound

Source of Personal Income 2010 by Place of Residence (millions) SENDD Region

Area

Net Earnings by

Place of Residence

Dividends, Interest &

Rent

Personal Current Transfer

Payments

2000 – 2010 Compound Annual

Growth Rate

Farm Proprietors' Income as a % of

Proprietors' Income

2000

2010

SENDD Region

$4,305.6

$1,126.2

$1,259.7

3.7%

25.6%

44.1%

Cass County

687.9

136.3

161.7

3.5

25.6

44.1

Fillmore County

156.8

55.8

46.6

3.0

62.6

74.1

Gage County

492.1

141.8

201.6

3.3

38.9

44.6

Jefferson County

149.7

60.8

61.3

3.1

43.6

52.9

Johnson County

113.6

23.9

28.8

5.1

36.0

53.3

Nemaha County

164.5

43.3

55.9

2.3

44.3

57.5

Otoe County

350.8

112.4

109.7

4.0

39.9

57.6

Pawnee County

54.4

21.4

21.0

3.0

55.3

76.4

Polk County

165.0

36.2

37.3

5.2

58.3

80.4

Richardson County

166.8

58.7

73.9

2.9

46.3

58.6

Saline County

313.9

71.6

87.2

4.4

41.6

68.0

Saunders County

575.1

115.3

131.9

4.6

48.2

50.8

Seward County

455.6

99.4

97.3

4.0

38.6

59.8

Thayer County

114.7

43.7

44.6

3.3

34.7

56.6

York County

344.7

105.6

101.0

3.5

49.5

65.9

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Information System


annual growth rates among the fifteen counties. Nemaha and Richardson counties experienced

the slowest growth rates.

It is important to note the Proprietors’ Income component includes Nonfarm Proprietors’ and Farm

Proprietors’ income. Farm income is the most volatile source of income in the region and this is

reflected by the proportion of Proprietors’ Income that Farm Proprietors’ Income represents.

Across the SENDD region, Farm Proprietors’ Income accounted for 25.6 percent of Proprietors’

Income in 2000 and 44.1 percent in 2010.

In the table below are displayed reported nonfarm earnings by place of work for the SENDD

region and constituent counties. Reported nonfarm earnings by place of work on a county basis

include

wages paid to

workers who

commute to

their place of

work within

the county

but reside

outside their

county of

work. The

flow of wages

between

counties is

substantial

and

represents a significant percentage of personal income for many counties. This inflow of

Gross Commuter Earnings Flow SENDD Region

2000 (thousands of dollars) 2010 (thousands of dollars)

County

Inflows of

earnings

Outflows of

earnings Residence Adjustment

Inflows of

earnings

Outflows of

earnings Residence Adjustment

Cass 369,679 40,494 329,185 489,785 67,071 422,714

Fillmore 19,044 10,587 8,457 25,248 15,048 10,200

Gage 69,619 39,682 29,937 107,727 55,103 52,624

Jefferson 25,286 16,786 8,500 35,857 28,765 7,092

Johnson 24,247 10,653 13,594 34,495 16,652 17,843

Nemaha 15,774 46,808 -31,034 25,821 53,014 -27,193

Otoe 87,667 43,132 44,535 125,834 71,130 54,704

Pawnee 10,907 4,955 5,952 18,001 9,113 8,888

Polk 32,154 6,752 25,402 46,130 9,115 37,015

Richardson 34,341 6,805 27,536 50,162 9,595 40,567

Saline 50,136 55,062 -4,926 74,495 86,444 -11,949

Saunders 245,397 37,750 207,647 383,871 64,195 319,676

Seward 135,291 50,288 85,003 214,454 64,787 149,667

Thayer 11,106 13,886 -2,780 15,346 20,798 -5,452

York 22,233 47,779 -25,546 31,814 55,583 -23,769

Source: Bureau Economic Analysis, REIS - CA91 Gross Earnings Flow


earnings is captured in the U.S. Bureau of the Economic Analysis figure “Adjustment for

Residence,” which is reported in the table.

Counties with a positive earnings adjustment for residence figure have an inflow of commuter

income into the county. Cass, Saunders and Seward counties report the largest figures for

earnings adjustment for residence, all three are located adjacent to metropolitan core city

counties. This suggests the significance of net receipts from workers out-commuting in those

counties.

Counties with a negative earnings adjustment for residence figure experience an outflow of labor

income earned in that county. In 2010, the outflow of earnings from Nemaha, York, Saline and

Thayer counties’ employers

to workers residing outside

the counties exceeded the

inflow of earnings by

$27,193,000, $23,769,000,

$11,949,000 and

$5,452,000, respectively.

Median household income in

the SENDD region has

consistently lagged that of

the state as a whole.

However, in 2010, Cass,

Saunders and Seward

counties reported incomes

exceeding that of the state

wide median income.

Median Household Income (dollars) SENDD Region

Area

Median Household Income Percent of the State

1990 2000 2010* 2010

Nebraska 26,016 39,250 49,342 100%

Cass 28,490 46,515 62,039 125.7

Fillmore 23,219 35,162 43,167 87.5

Gage 22,876 34,908 43,311 87.8

Jefferson 21,740 32,629 42,665 86.5

Johnson 19,925 32,460 42,083 85.3

Nemaha 22,383 32,588 42,534 86.2

Otoe 23,189 37,302 47,493 96.3

Pawnee 18,286 29,000 41,969 85.1

Polk 22,336 37,819 48,444 98.2

Richardson 19,521 29,884 35,165 71.3

Saline 24,455 35,914 45,469 92.2

Saunders 26,058 42,173 57,699 116.9

Seward 27,200 42,700 55,877 113.2

Thayer 20,298 30,740 39,159 79.4

York 25,722 37,093 47,689 96.6

* 2010 Median Income in the past 12 months and in inflation adjusted dollars. Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census; 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates


The Census 2010 reports household income distribution and this is displayed in the table below.

The largest number of households reported incomes of $50,000 to $74,999. Cass and Saunders

counties have the largest percentage of households with income at or above $100,000, 26.3

percent and 24.6 percent respectively. Gage County has the largest number of households with

incomes less than $15,000 at 8.5 percent.

Household Income Percent Distribution by County SENDD Region

Percent and Number

Less than

$10,000

$10,000 to

$14,999

$15,000 to

$24,999

$25,000 to

$34,999 $35,000 to $49,999

$50,000 to $74,999

$75,000 to

$99,999

$100,000 to

$149,999 $150,000 or

more County

Cass 1.3% 0.9% 4.2% 7.7% 12.3% 25.9% 21.4% 19.0% 7.3%

89 62 294 539 855 1,807 1,491 1,325 511

Fillmore 2.0% 4.4% 8.5% 10.9% 17.2% 29.9% 15.8% 8.1% 3.2%

34 76 146 187 294 511 270 138 54

Gage 4.0% 4.5% 7.1% 9.8% 19.4% 25.8% 16.5% 10% 3.1%

241 272 428 591 1,175 1,561 1,000 607 185

Jefferson 2.8% 1.1% 10.3% 10.3% 20.4% 30.8% 12.5% 6.7% 5.1%

58 23 216 216 428 646 262 141 109

Johnson 1.0% 0.7% 13.8% 11.8% 18.9% 28.1% 15.6% 9.1% 1.1%

12 9 171 146 234 349 193 113 13

Nemaha 3.6% 4.4% 7.7% 11.3% 15.4% 26.7% 13.1% 13.5% 4.4%

69 84 146 216 293 508 249 257 84

Otoe 3.0% 4.3% 6.3% 12.1% 14.7% 25.4% 15.2% 12.3% 6.8%

128 185 272 520 633 1,095 656 532 293

Pawnee 3.3% 3.3% 9.0% 15.3% 19.9% 23.8% 17.8% 4.7% 2.7%

28 28 76 129 168 201 150 40 23

Polk 2.1% 2.7% 8.0% 8.5% 19.1% 31.5% 19.0% 5.4% 3.7%

34 43 130 138 309 509 307 88 60

Richardson 3.1% 4.1% 9.0% 15.5% 17.8% 25.8% 14.4% 8.6% 1.7%

71 93 203 351 404 584 326 196 38

Saline 1.3% 1.1% 11.9% 13.0% 18.9% 22.4% 17.9% 9.2% 4.1%

45 38 407 445 648 768 613 316 141

Saunders 1.7% 1.5% 5.2% 7.2% 15.1% 26.4% 18.2% 18.0% 6.6%

102 90 308 429 897 1,567 1,077 1,070 391

Seward 1.5% 2.3% 4.8% 6.7% 13.8% 27.4% 22.9% 12.7% 8.0%

68 102 212 299 616 1,220 1,018 566 354

Thayer 2.6% 3.1% 12.1% 12.2% 18.6% 24.8% 15.7% 8.5% 2.4%

37 45 176 177 270 359 227 123 36

York 0.7% 0.9% 6.8% 10.2% 20.7% 26.9% 17.4% 12.7% 3.8%

26 36 261 392 799 1,037 673 490 146

Nebraska 3.4% 2.8% 7.7% 9.3% 14.8% 23.8% 16.5% 14.6% 7.2%

15,828 13,180 35,911 43,248 69,276 111,021 77,154 68,034 33,598



Political Geography

Southeast Nebraska Development District member counties span across two federal

Congressional Districts: #1 and #3. The First Congressional District includes nine counties:

Cass, Gage, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Saunders and Seward.

SENDD counties included in the Third Congressional District include: Fillmore, Jefferson, Polk,

Saline, Thayer and York.


Residents of SENDD member counties are represented in the state legislative body, Nebraska’s

Unicameral legislature, by six state legislators whose districts encompass the fifteen county

region. The Nebraska Legislative Districts that include SENDD member counties are #1, #2, #23,

#24, #30 and #32.


C. Strategic Planning Process

About This Report

This Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) pulls together input and data from

all across the 15 county SENDD area. This CEDS document is the outcome of a district-wide

planning process to address the economic issues and potential of the SENDD area.

Through its CEDS planning process, the SENDD Board established a framework for

comprehensive, objective reporting on the state of the SENDD area and for defining goals and

strategies to coordinate activities in support of its vision of the district. This report draws together

a wide variety of data indicators to sketch a picture of current conditions in SENDD. And, it

continues the ongoing process to identify measurable indicators of regional conditions and link

these to the work efforts of the SENDD Board.

About the SENDD CEDS Process

SENDD staff attended an EDA Regional training in St Louis, Missouri on 20 November 2010 that

set forth EDA’s expectations for the CEDS process and product. Based upon the workshop

training, SENDD staff, in conjunction with the SENDD Board leadership, structured a 2012

SENDD CEDS planning process that included:

a. Sub-Regional Meetings – SENDD CEDS Economic Development Caucuses

Preliminary research and analysis indicated that sub-regional grouping might provide the

greatest benefit to the CEDS planning activities. This resulted in working with five sub-

regional groupings of SENDD membership and local stakeholders. These five sub-

regional grouping were:

Sub-regional Group 1: Fillmore & Thayer County Stakeholders

Sub-regional Group 2: Polk & York County Stakeholders

Sub-regional Group 3 Gage, Jefferson & Saline County Stakeholders

Sub-regional Group 4: Cass, Saunders & Seward County Stakeholders

Sub-regional Group 5: Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee & Richardson County Stakeholders


A targeted invite to SENDD Board members and economic development and community

development leaders from across the SENDD region created five sub-regional working

groups each of which consisted of 10 to 24 persons tasked with reviewing data, providing

input and building upon preliminary analyses and the review and affirmation of CEDS

goals.

b. Community Scan utilizing Survey

Fielded via Survey Monkey

The CEDS Strategy Committee fielded a

survey via Survey Monkey which was

promoted to all municipal and county

leadership in the SENDD area and to all

identified partners and stakeholders. A series of media stories also encouraged the

general public and any and all interested persons to visit Survey Monkey and participate

in the survey. This activity was designed to maximize partner and stakeholder

participatory input in the CEDS process. The results of this activity are reported below.

c. Review, Consensus Building, and Goal Setting

The SENDD CEDS 2012 Strategy Committee assembled as a committee of the whole on

21 June 2012 to host a CEDS workshop to complete final review and goal setting

activities. Invited and gathered at this meeting were the full SENDD Board, participants

from the Sub-Regional Caucuses and interested partners and stakeholders from across

the region. An “open house” was held to facilitate the exchange of information on

preliminary planning activities, review analyses developed through the CEDS planning

processes and SENDD CEDS Goals & Objectives identified through these activities.

Building upon previous CEDS work and folding in the data collected and information

gleaned from the SENDD CEDS Sub-Regional Caucuses, the SENDD CEDS 2012

Strategy Committee reviewed and affirmed a set of goals and objectives that they as a


group took action on to recommend adoption by the SENDD Full Governing Board. Later

as part of the SENDD Full Board meeting, formal action was taken per the SENDD CEDS

2012 Strategy Committee’s recommendation, and said Goals & Objectives were formally

adopted for inclusion in this 2012 SENDD CEDS. The work product crafted from this

activity is found below in this report.

C.1. SENDD CEDS 2012 Strategy Committee

The composition of the SENDD CEDS 2012 Strategy Committee included the Full SENDD

Governing Board and leadership of the SENDD CEDS Sub-regional Caucuses. In addition, two

representatives of the economic development agents in each SENDD member county were

included among the members of SENDD CEDS 2012 Strategy Committee.

This resource team of

57 community leaders

was utilized to assure a

broad base of input into

this 2012 SENDD

CEDS planning

process. It should be

noted each person

listed below, along with

their official “position” is

also an economic

development leader or

engaged community

stakeholder; these local

economic development

actors volunteer in many ways to support their community, county and region.

SENDD CEDS Caucus Membership Leadership

Composition of the SENDD CEDS 2012 Strategy Committee included all members of the SENDD governing board and CEDS Caucus Members.

Name Representing Position

John Yochum Vacant Patt Lentfer John Williams Andrea Schafer Glennis McClure RoJane Meyer Joe Parker Doug Goracke Steve Darling Daryl Obermeyer Joe Casey TiAnn Allen Carolyn Gigstad Alan Richard Marcia Borcher Nancy Bryan Doug Rathjen Beckie Cromer Mark Novak Collyn Florendo Tom Ourada Sheri Henderson Stuart Krejci Jonathan Jank Pat Coldiron Harold Stone Arlis Hohl Jim Green Connie Brown

Cass County Cass County Fillmore County Fillmore County Gage County Gage County Jefferson County Jefferson County Johnson County Johnson County Nemaha County Nemaha County Otoe County Otoe County Pawnee County Pawnee County Polk County Polk County Richardson County Richardson County Saline County Saline County Saunders County Saunders County Seward County Seward County Thayer County Thayer County York County York County

Dir. Cass County Economic Dev. Council Ex.Dir. Fillmore County Economic Dev. Pres./CEO Geneva State Bank Norris Publi Power Dist: Public Affairs & ED Nebr. Enterprise Fund - Program Manager Volunteer /Retired Care Provider City Administrator – Fairbury Tecumseh Econ Dev & Utility Forman President, Tecumseh Federal Bank Farmer Vice Pres. - First National Bank, Johnson President - Tri-Valley Bank, Talmage Ex.Dir. - Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, Pawnee City Dev Corp/ & PCPN Pawnee County Promotional Network City Clerk – Stromsburg/Econ Dev Leader Branch President at Pinnacle Bank Ex.Dir. Falls City EDGE (Dev Corp) Humboldt Shares Bd member (Dev Corp) Branch President – Pinnacle Bank – Crete Public Works Director –Crete City Clerk – Ceresco Sr. VP First National Bank - Wahoo. Ex.Dir. - Seward County Economic D. Corp Ex.Dir. - Seward Chamber of Commerce Businessman – food: Stones Thoreau Ex. Dir.- Thayer Co Economic Dev Alliance Utility Supt – McCool Junction City Clerk – Henderson


When establishing its goals, objectives, and strategies, playing the key roll were the SENDD

Board along with others who have come together (see the 2012 SENDD CEDS Caucus Members

as listed above) to contribute to this 2012 CEDS process. The SENDD Board plus the special

CEDS contributors, acting as the CEDS Strategy Committee have come together via survey

submittal, via sub-regional meetings, and the 21 June 2012 District Wide gathering.

SENDD Staff and SENDD Full Board members identified a broad cross-section of the area's

population and reached out to gather in these additional community leaders to serve as CEDS

Strategy Committee members, and set up a series of publicly advertised working sessions for the

purpose of reviewing data and gathering input and identifying local consensus. Initial participants

were identified through staff contacts and recommendations of the Board of Directors. This

process has been successful in gaining input from population sectors which may or may not be

represented on the 27 member SENDD Board of Directors.

In this specific CEDS process, as one of the final steps, staff gathered the Survey Monkey

information, information from the sub-regional caucuses and used it for the foundation of the final

CEDS strategic planning and priority setting effort under the umbrella of the fifteen county

SENDD Board of Directors on June 21, 2012. This assembly of the SENDD CEDS 2012

Strategy Committee reviewed the information gathered from the field and hosted a general

review and comment session. In the end the SENDD CEDS 2012 Strategy Committee

recommended adoption of the noted Goals & Objectives.


C.2. Broadly Circulated General Priorities Survey

A General Scan of priorities was accomplished via a broadly circulated general questionnaire

survey. An effort was made to distribute the link to this survey to every municipal and county

office and to every locally elected municipal and county employee and any and all partner

organizations that SENDD has on the maintained email lists. The multiple news releases that

highlighted the lead up to each sub-regional CEDS economic development caucus meeting, and

again reported on the out come of each said meeting, each pointed to the link to this Survey

Monkey instrument.

Survey respondents identified local priorities to address included Quality employment

opportunities, Attracting new industries, and Maintaining quality K-12 school systems. And the

lower average rated priorities included Recycling, Hazardous waste pickup, and Develop

renewable energy resources.


C.3. District Themes

The SWOT quadrant analysis was initially developed in partnership with the Center for Rural

Entrepreneurship. The discussions at the Sub-Regional Caucus level somewhat “pooled” into the

noted SWOT groupings. These Sub-Regional Caucuses, where counties facing similar changes

and/or having similar opportunities were grouped, illuminated some of the stratification that takes

place over a district as large and diverse as SENDD. For example those jurisdictions within the

metropolitan commuting shadow of Lincoln and Omaha (Cass, Saunders and Seward counties)

share a different common perspective than those more rural counties which share a greater

challenge from depopulation and aging in place of their population.

2012 SENDD Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

SUMMARY REVIEW – District Wide Themes

Strengths/Weaknesses & Opportunities/Threats (SWOT Analysis) Strengths Strong and Well Positioned Regional Economy (I-80 & I-70)

Strong Agricultural Economy Relatively Strong Community Civic Capacity Well Educated Workforce Strong Workforce Development System

Weaknesses Size & Lack of Scale Fracturing of Development Efforts Lack of Development Investment & Staffing Industrial Attraction vs. Entrepreneur Development Focus Limited Number of Growth Entrepreneurs

Rebounding & Resourcing Manufacturing Likely Continued Strength in Production Agriculture Opportunities for Regional Development Initiatives Regional Prosperity Trust Fund Capitalization on Retiree Economy

Opportunities

Demographics – Depopulation – Aging Population Weaker Commodity Prices & Agricultural Real Estate Crash Rising Real Fuel Prices Recession in Lincoln and/or Omaha – National Recession Government Funding Crisis Threats

SWOT Analysis developed in partnership with the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship.


C.4. Sub-Regional Themes

The sub-regional ED caucuses focused on the “Top 5” themes for each county. The following

table was used to help focus discussions during said sub-regional caucuses to the reality of how

each county might be viewed by an outsider developing a county profile based on available

statistical data.

Additional review of these themes was conducted by the SENDD CEDS 2012 Strategy

Committee at the open house and formal review on 21 June 2012. At this meeting, the District

Board hosted an open house and work session where SENDD staff emphasized the potential

positive opportunity to focus on such strategies while there is heightened momentum for such

discussions because of this SENDD CEDS outreach effort. It is anticipated that individual work

sessions with local economic development leaders / local development corporations will build

from this “Top 5” theme format to review and extend discussions about specific strategies at the

sub-regional, county, and local level. See the SENDD website www.sendd.org for the 15

individual County Assessments. The County Assessments are found grouped under the

Economic Development Menu at http://sendd.org/about-sendd/ceds/.


http://sendd.org/about-sendd/ceds/


SENDD Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

SUMMARY REVIEW – Sub-Regional Themes

Growing Counties Mixed Performance Declining Counties

Omaha & Lincoln Commuters Depopulation & People Attraction

Commuters Business Transitions Self-Employed Entrepreneurs

Business Transitions BR&E Business Transitions

Trade Capture Regional Development Efforts Regional Development Efforts

Retirees Retirees Retirees

SUMMARY REVIEW – County Specific Themes

County 1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

Cass Omaha/Lincoln Ag-Urban Balance New Residents Retirees Entrepreneurs

Saunders Smart Growth Commuters Trade Capture Wealth Capture Entrepreneurs

Seward Smart Growth BR&E Commuters Retirees Entrepreneurs

Otoe BR&E Commuters Location Trade Capture Tourism

York Location BR&E Value-Added Ag Trade Capture Retirees

Johnson Regional Dev. Demographics Transition Self-Employment Retirees

Saline Lincoln BR&E Doane College Trade Capture Transitions

Polk Columbus Farmers Transitions Retirees Depopulation

Gage BR&E Commuters Retirees Depopulation Regional Dev.

Jefferson Depopulation Transition Regional Dev. Retirees Commuters

Fillmore Depopulation Regional Dev. Transition Retirees Commuters

Thayer Depopulation BR&E Transition Retirees Self-Employment

Nemaha Depopulation Regional Dev. Transition Self-Employment BR&E

Richardson Depopulation Self-Employment Manufacturing Transition Regional Dev.

Pawnee Depopulation Regional Dev. Transition Self-Employment Retirees

Sub-Regional and County Specific Themes developed in partnership with the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship.


C.5. Combined Analysis / Opportunity Assessments

The SENDD CEDS process began with a review of County by County data and statistics. This

review culminated in a summary Development Opportunity Assessment for each county which

included a “Top 5 Considerations” for each county. Access the elibrary via the SENDD website

http://sendd.org/about-sendd/ceds/ for the 15 individual 2012 SENDD CEDS County

Development Opportunity Assessments. On that SENDD web site, this data menu item has been

grouped under the Economic Development Menu.

This Combined Analysis/Opportunity Assessments: Top Considerations for SENDD Area

section of this 2012 SENDD CEDS document moves to the presentation of a Combined Analysis

of the top considerations within the SENDD region. The analysis of county by county needs and

opportunities was a part of the development of aggregated Goal Statements and

Strategies/Objectives, pointing to 15 county SENDD Region Action Plans. Here we have

identified common considerations that may have had variations in each of the 15 County

Assessments, but when stripped down to the fundamental statements, it can been seen that they

are held in common among the various counties.

#1) Demographics & People Attraction/Population Growth & New Residents.

Opportunities to reverse the long-term trend of depopulation of

the more rural counties in the SENDD area call for creating

stronger local economies by supporting local entrepreneurs that

could create employment and career opportunities necessary to

fuel demographic renewal. Particular focus should be on young

people from the area who want to stay or return and creating

pathways for young families to return. Efforts need to include

embracing new efforts that can bring new capital, ideas and

leaders to the County.

http://sendd.org/about-sendd/ceds/


#2) Energize Entrepreneurs.

Data indicates that the last decade suggests there is a new crop of self-employed

entrepreneurs within many of the SENDD counties. This is likely part of a larger trend

during the past decade where America reached a very important tipping point where

more and more Americans are pursuing entrepreneurial careers versus working for larger

employers like corporations and governments. The potential to develop a more

diversified, resilient and prosperous economy can be realized by focusing development

efforts towards existing and new entrepreneurs and their ventures. There is a need to

take steps to discover who these entrepreneurs are and how best to help them become

more successful, enabling a new generation of businesses. This strategy could create

employment and career opportunities needed for attracting former and new residents to

southeast Nebraska.

#2.1) Retail & Service Businesses.

Many SENDD areas have fairly strong

retail trade and service capture statistics.

This is a positive and an asset for

development. Consideration should be

given to a “main street” type development strategy focused on renewing and

expanding locally owned and operated retail and service businesses.

#3) Regional Collaboration/Regional Alignment.

The SENDD area as a whole has considerable shared development challenges and

opportunities for collaboration across the region. Exploring deeper regional collaboration

as a way to create a more comprehensive development strategy and enable more robust

staffing and funding appears to have merit. SENDD leadership and county and local

leaders should explore opportunities and roles within this regional economy.


#4) Business Transition.

Sectors of the SENDD area have an aging owner/operator demographic in both farm and

non-farm ventures. Leaders should consider a targeted strategy focused on business

transition to ensure a new generation of rooted owner/operators. This strategy could be

particularly important to the future of the region’s non-farm and locally owned business

community.

Input during this CEDS process has shined the light on the fact that the currently high

commodity prices and the current trend of increasing land prices has seemed to diminish

the worry over farm transitions. While business transition is a real and significant

struggle, the transition of farm property /farm enterprises is less of a concern.

#5) Business Retention and Expansion.

Many of the SENDD sub-regions have a number of relatively large employers that are

foundational to that locale’s and the region’s economy. A pro-active business retention

and expansion strategy focused on these employers is important.

#6) Engage Retirees.

This strategy focus shows up as critical in all 15 counties. One of the largest sources of

income and economic activity within the SENDD area is retirees. This population is likely

to grow. Leaders are encouraged to focus on creating a strong environment for retirees

and engage retirees as mentors and investors.

#6.1) Wealth Capture and Use.

As retirees make up such a significant portion of the population, it is important to

recognize the significant household wealth and substantial giveback potential.

Economic development leaders are encouraged to take steps to better

understand transfer of wealth opportunities and aggressively move on community


foundation and giveback strategies. This opportunity could provide meaningful

new funding for community betterment and economic development.

#7) Capitalize on Proximity to Omaha and Lincoln/Smart Growth.

The economic engines that Omaha and Lincoln represent have a clear and identifiable

impact on at least 7 of the 15 SENDD counties. As stronger patterns of commuters and

suburbanization are likely to continue, there appears to be an opportunity for these

bordering communities/counties to more fully understand the opportunity presented by

metropolitan Omaha and Lincoln. Community leaders can have great influence over the

kind of development and how it occurs. These community leaders should engage in

long-range planning, with study of other places that have

undergone this kind of change to pursue smart growth

policies.

#7.1) Prepare for New Residents.

Smart Growth is a part of this long range planning.

With population rates rising and the proximity to

Omaha and Lincoln resulting in a commuting

workforce, a development opportunity is present.

One such opportunity may exist as some commuters

may become tired of traveling longer distances for

work. A segment of this population may also

become interested in working locally for resident

businesses or become entrepreneurs who spawn businesses focused on

meeting local needs or selling to outside markets.

#7.2) Spending Leakages.

With a location adjacent metropolitan areas, spending leakages are to be

expected. However, as the population of the metropolitan fringe counties grows,


there will be opportunities to reduce leakages through home grown businesses.

This points to a medium term strategy focused on reducing leakages strategically

over time

#8) Find an Ag-Urban Balance/Value Added Ag/Farmers.

Agriculture is important for providing significant economic value and diversification to the

SENDD Region. In some areas bordering the Lincoln and Omaha metropolitan areas,

increased urbanization will compress land available for production agriculture and create

potential

conflicts.

Economic

development

leaders in those

areas need to be

pro-active in

striking a balance

between

agriculture while

accommodating

for urbanization.

The opportunity for adding value to agriculture commodities is an ongoing target across

the 15 county SENDD area as new technologies and new processing methods arise.

While it was previously noted that the recent strong prices for agricultural commodities

and the recent strong land prices has lowered farm transition as an economic

development target, the potential volatility of the market place and the threat of prolonged

drought keep this as a concern and regional focus.


#9) Commuters.

Substantial amounts of inflow and outflow data illustrates that each individual County is

part of a much larger regional economy / labor shed. There is some feeling that

commuting as an employment strategy is being challenged by rising fuel costs once

again. Efforts should focus on creating work opportunities closer to home and help those

who must commute with strategies to manage fuel costs.

#10) Tourism & Recreation.

Each sub-region and locale

has unique tourism and

recreation niches. Support

of local leaders to continue

to grow those niche

opportunities is important.

Also, Otoe County has

significant tourism and recreational assets. The potential to continue to build out this

sector of the economy is unique within Southeast Nebraska. Aggressive development of

attraction and recreational assets coupled with allied business development is

recommended. Such development could further diversify an already diversified

economy. In today’s competitive world, diversification is the key to economic resilience

and prosperity long-term.

#11) Work Force Training, Secondary & Higher Education.

Southeast Community College; Doane College in Crete; Concordia University in Seward;

Peru State College in Peru; York College in York; and the high schools throughout the

SENDD area are each important assets within the community and across Southeast

Nebraska. Working pro-actively to enhance the linkages between education and work

force training is important.


#12) Rebuilding Manufacturing.

Manufacturing in some

selective SENDD sub-

regions, took a severe hit

during the Great

Recession. There is a

need to focus on

rebuilding the manufacturing employment base tied to the resurgence in American

manufacturing and the re-shoring trend that is now taking root in North America.


D. Vision and MIssion

The Southeast Nebraska Development District Board of Directors reviewed this information as presented by SENDD staff and formulated a strategic vision that will serve to focus activities to maximize effectiveness and attainment of specific objectives. Upon consideration of identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, the standing mission statement was evaluated and affirmed as still applicable and will be carried forward into the 2012 SENDD CEDS.

Southeast Nebraska Development District

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Vision Statement

“Strengthening quality of life through community development

and economic development.”

Southeast Nebraska Development District

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

Mission Statement

Meeting the economic development needs of the Southeast Nebraska

Development District area through excellence in technical assistance, planning, financial packaging and

service. The SENDD CEDS 2012 Strategy Committee reviewed planning activities and worked through the following Goals & Objectives. The SENDD CEDS 2012 Strategy Committee recommending adoption of the following and the SENDD Board re-affirmed and adopted the following Goals & Objectives.

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D.1. Goals and Objectives

Goals & Objectives 2012 – 2017 SENDD CEDS

Goal: Expand and diversify the district's economic and employment base.

Objective

Refine our database of resource information critical to new and expanding business.

Enhance the capacity of staff to provide small business development services, addressing the need for technical assistance with financial packaging, marketing, and business plans.

Enhance District external communications and develop mechanisms to promote the District's role in regional economic development. Promotion should include district service summaries, external communications, professional development of staff and staff support of regional initiatives.

Expand and strengthen the regional partnerships of the District via our association with local industrial development corporations, our relationship with chambers of commerce and our political subdivision partnerships.

Action Steps

Annually, the District shall assist at least 5 small business concerns to secure financing for start-up, expansion or facilities improvements that result in job creation and job retention.

Continue to explore opportunities to identify and secure funding sources other than local membership dues to expand its financial packaging capabilities.

Goal: Foster the development of sound and decent housing in order to support economic development.

Objective

Increase access of affordable housing to District residents through private-public partnerships.

Ensure understanding the housing needs of communities and industries as an essential part of community assessment processes regardless of the planning approach employed.

Refine the technical assistance infrastructure to ensure adequate support is provided in each housing program.


Develop and evaluate new models of affordable housing delivery for economic development.

Action Steps

Encourage and promote housing development supporting economic development strategies through public and private collaboration.

Support multi-jurisdiction initiatives building community readiness among stakeholders to identify and develop housing opportunities.

Assist communities in identifying life cycle housing needs through housing inventories, studies and programs to encourage housing choice and options.

Goal: Enhance the infrastructure systems of the District to achieve the mission and vision of the District through

prioritized investments.

Objective

Develop mechanisms to integrate local government managers and governing boards in planning and communications related to capital systems planning.

Expand and strengthen technical assistance programs to aid local governments in accessing financing to upgrade infrastructure systems.

Coordinate and integrate assessment, planning, and financing activities in public facilities improvements through leadership provided by the District.

Enhance staff capacity to develop and deliver financial packaging services for public infrastructure improvements serving existing and new business and industry.

Action Steps

Assist political subdivisions with accessing funding to develop planning and feasibility studies as related to public works development.

Assist member political subdivisions in the areas of preparing applications to secure assistance to undertake projects designed to address specific infrastructure needs.

Increase the number of political subdivisions involved in a needs analysis and priority setting process and seek outside funding to underwrite costs associated with undertaking the identification and prioritization of public works improvement projects.


Goal: Ensure and strengthen management and operations capacities of local governments through regionwide

governments through regionwide partnership.

Objective

Improve the management and operations capacities within the District by providing the highest quality technical assistance programs involving regional staff.

Strengthen the professional development of staff to deliver public financing and budgeting services to local governments.

Meet the capital improvement planning needs of all levels of local governments by coordinated, integrated service delivery.

Develop information technology infrastructure to support electronically enhanced communications and web-based information systems.

Action Steps

Build the membership base within the SENDD region so the municipalities and groups located within might have access to services that are available.

Expand partnerships to bring information and partnership opportunities to local units of government and to development corporations and community leaders across the SENDD area.

Continue to serve as the bridge and link between one jurisdiction and another when work in the field uncovers a “best practice” or new approach that would benefit other jurisdictions and other individuals located across the 15 county SENDD area.

Goal: Expand the availability of financing mechanisms for small business.

Objective

Support and facilitate political subdivisions, chambers of commerce, industrial development corporations and others to manage local incentive programs that have the opportunity to finance small business development.

Expand the District's association with political subdivisions, industrial development corporations, and others to establish local incentive programs to encourage business development.


Devise mechanisms to integrate the District and local financing entities in planning management, and marketing related to small business development programs.

Expand and strengthen staff capacity to provide direct financial packaging assistance to new and expanding businesses.

Develop and integrate innovative financial packaging that put new or under- utilized sources of financing into action for regionwide revolving loan funds and business development.

Action Steps

Lead and facilitate the process of forming a Non-Profit Development Organization (NDO) especially to position the District for state and local economic development loan programs’ Re-Use and Program Income initiatives.

Assist member political subdivisions with accessing Nebraska CDBG ED Category funds to assist small business concerns via relending programs.

Continue to assist businesses with financing through two revolving loan funds managed by the District: Rural Development Intermediary Relending Program and Nebraska Enterprise Fund Evergreen micro-loan program.

Develop continued funding from the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development - Rural Business Enterprise Grant program to extend funding for the SENDD loan officer position.

Continue to assist local political subdivisions and regional entities with the administration and loan packaging services for Local Revolving Loan Funds capitalized with principal and interest payments on loans made by the municipalities from prior grants awarded under the Community Development Block Grant program and/or under the locally approved Municipal Option Tax.

Partner with other entities (such as the Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP)) to provide technical assistance to new and existing small business concerns.

Continue efforts to capitalize new, and recapitalize existing local and regional Revolving Loan Funds. And continue building relationships with federal, state and local service providers.

Assist member political subdivisions in accessing financing for small business ventures from sources which allow capitalization of existing or new Revolving Loan Funds. The District will also continue to partner with other regional service providers on small business projects, as well as provide technical assistance and loan packaging assistance to small business concerns.


Goal: Foster the development of tourism initiatives and related support systems to improve employment opportunities in ural areas through development and

promotion.

Objective

Capitalize on special opportunities to develop economic initiatives in areas such as regional and heritage tourism.

Enhance local tourism via promotion and development of cooperative ventures.

Provide support to local efforts seeking to expand existing tourist attractions.

Action Steps

Assist local leaders and local units of government to apply for Tourism Development Category funds of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program at the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

Identify and develop tourism initiatives through consultations based on member community needs and continue resourcing identified projects through business financing support services. Support tourism projects that will enhance business development and the creation of jobs.

Goal: Enhance capacity building efforts to ensure leadership continuity.

Objective

Provide support and technical assistance for effective leadership training and development.

Provide ongoing support and networking opportunities for civic leaders and nurture civic leadership among the youth of the SENDD area.

Devote District resources to interlocal cooperation and coordination at the sub-regional level.

Action Steps

Direct contact with small businesses, county and municipal board/councils. including opportunities to provide technical assistance and community development activities.

Serve as a general resource to local development groups to help stem or lower the frequency of cyclical reorganizations.

Maintain a high level of visibility within member political subdivisions via all sources of media and via staff visitations.


Goal: Improve and protect the district’s water resources.

Objective

Facilitate the development and operation of regional water supply systems.

Support planning and implementation efforts to upgrade municipal water supply, storage and distribution systems.

Encourage community facility planning to incorporate wellhead protection areas to safeguard municipal and rural water district water supplies from surface contaminants.

Action Steps

Continue providing assistance to member political subdivisions for Implementation of projects which resolve water quantity, quality, storage treatment and distribution problems being experienced by many of the organization’s members.

Continue to monitor the water and wastewater problems of its member communities through continued contact with member municipalities and State and Federal funding agencies.


Goal: Foster an integrated system of education services to support job training and skilled workforce development efforts

Objective

Collaborate with education institutions on the development of projects and programs designed to utilize resources they represent to encourage entrepreneurial development within the region.

Work with education institutions and small business concerns on the identification, development and implementation of school to work opportunities.

Consult with principals of small business concerns as to their training needs to enhance workforce skills and assist with accessing resources necessary to addressing those needs.

Work with educational institutions and students in identifying projects/programs within the region which provide needed services while enhancing business development and retention opportunities.

Work with prospective business owners and potential loan applicants to facilitate access to appropriate training opportunities and information to support successful job creation and job retention efforts.

Action Steps

Proactively encourage enterprises participating in SENDD business lending and financial packaging programs to participate in various state, local and regional service organizations that provide job training and other business assistance. Organizations include: SCORE, Nebraska Business Development Center (sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration), Rural Enterprise Assistance Program (REAP), and the Nebraska Enterprise Fund (NEF).

Provide assistance to local economic develop agents with the provision of information on training opportunities and, as and when needed, provide assistance to REAP, NBDC, SCORE, NEF and similar programs with expanding training programs offered to fledgling small business concerns.


E. Technical Requirements

E.1. Background: “The CEDS must contain a background of the economic development situation of the

region that paints a realistic picture of the current condition of the region. The background must include a discussion of the economy, population, geography, workforce, development and use, transportation access, resources, and other pertinent information.“

Base data has been assembled into an elibrary. In this 2012 SENDD CEDS document, a special

effort has been made throughout to fully explain the steps to access this information, as the

desire is to foster a connection to this web based data (here via the SENDD CEDS elibrary via

the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship web site and as noted previously, via the SENDD web

site).

Said SENDD CEDS elibrary contains volumes of charts and graphs and narrative

representations of data all which is available in the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship’s online

library at: http://bit.ly/tgD2Y5

a. Which takes you to a web page of the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship.

b. Under the Southeast Nebraska Development District heading click on the link:

Background research.

c. From there you can click on your county of choice or file of choice.

As an example of the data available in this CEDS process and CEDS document browse the link:

Socioeconomic Report. This report provides background analysis of the economic

development situation in each county. Taken as a whole, these reports, assembled data, and the

Development Opportunity Assessment for each county paints a realistic picture of the current

condition of the 15 county SENDD region. .




Below is a screen shot of the contents of the elibrary:with hot links to assist readers’ access to

the Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) elibrary files.

Parent Directory -

ACS-Demographic&Hous..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 239K

ACS-Economic-Charact..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 363K

ACS-Housing-Characte..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 378K

ACS-Social-Character..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 397K

BEA proprietors inco..> 27-Feb-2012 12:54 122K

Cass/ 19-Apr-2012 15:08 -

Fillmore/ 30-Apr-2012 09:29 -

Gage/ 19-Apr-2012 15:08 -

Jefferson/ 19-Apr-2012 15:08 -

Johnson/ 19-Apr-2012 15:08 -

Nebraska Ag Census 2..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 300K

Nebraska-Automotive-..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 32K

Nebraska-Business-Su..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 39K

Nebraska-Dominant-Ta..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 116K

Nebraska-Financial-E..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 50K

Nebraska-House%Home-..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 49K

Nebraska-Household-B..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 34K

Nebraska-Medical-Exp..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 43K

Nebraska-Net-Worth-P..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 34K

Nebraska-Recreation-..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 35K

Nebraska-Retail-Mark..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 74K

Nebraska-Tapestry-Ar..> 22-Feb-2012 14:36 109K

Nemaha/ 19-Apr-2012 15:08 -

Otoe/ 19-Apr-2012 15:08 -

Pawnee/ 19-Apr-2012 15:09 -

Polk/ 19-Apr-2012 15:08 -

Regional map.pdf 19-Apr-2012 15:16 78K

Richardson/ 19-Apr-2012 15:09 -

Saline/ 19-Apr-2012 15:08 -

Saunders/ 19-Apr-2012 15:08 -

Seward/ 19-Apr-2012 15:08 -

Summary.doc 19-Apr-2012 15:08 278K

Thayer/ 30-Apr-2012 09:29 -

York/ 19-Apr-2012 15:08 -

youreconomy-Nebraska..> 22-Feb-2012 14:37 81K

youreconomy-United-S..> 22-Feb-2012 14:37 84K

The accumulated research in the electronic library provides expanded analysis on demographics,

the local economy, businesses, agriculture, and trade capture. You are encouraged to view all of

these resources for additional insight and details of the SENDD region.

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/ACS-Demographic&Housing-Estimates.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/ACS-Economic-Characteristics.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/ACS-Housing-Characteristics.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/ACS-Social-Characteristics.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/BEA%20proprietors%20income%20and%20employment%20for%20NE.xlsx

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Cass/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Fillmore/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Gage/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Jefferson/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Johnson/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Nebraska%20Ag%20Census%202007.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Nebraska-Automotive-Aftermarket-Expenditures.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Nebraska-Business-Summary.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Nebraska-Dominant-Tapestry-Site.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Nebraska-Financial-Expenditures.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Nebraska-House%25Home-Expenditures.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Nebraska-Household-Budget-Expenditures.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Nebraska-Medical-Expenditures.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Nebraska-Net-Worth-Profile-ESRI.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Nebraska-Recreation-Expenditures.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Nebraska-Retail-Marketplace-Profile.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Nebraska-Tapestry-Area=Profile.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Nemaha/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Otoe/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Pawnee/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Polk/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Regional%20map.pdf

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Richardson/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Saline/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Saunders/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Seward/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Summary.doc

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/Thayer/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/York/

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/youreconomy-Nebraska.xls

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/elibrary/.files/SENDD/youreconomy-United-States.xls


E.2. Analysis of Economic Development Problems & Opportunities: “The CEDS must include

an in-depth analysis of the economic development problems & opportunities that identifies the strengths and weaknesses in the regional makeup of human and economic assets, and problems and opportunities posed by external and internal forces affecting the regional economy”.

Analysis that was based upon the data collected, input, and feedback from the field can be seen

via the SWOT quadrants, found above in this CEDS document. A county by county assessment

of opportunities can be seen via the County Opportunity Assessments that can be accessed via

the SENDD Web Site.

E.3. CEDS Goals & Objectives – Defining Regional Expectations: “The CEDS must contain a

section setting forth the goals & objectives necessary to solve the economic problems, or capitalize on the resources, of the region. Any strategic project, program, or activity identified in the CEDS should work to fulfill these goals & objectives”.

The Goals & Objectives presented above were developed under the guidance of the SENDD

Board of Directors and officially adopted on 21 June 2012 as the SENDD CEDS Goals &

Objectives for the period 2012 thru 2017. Of note here is that as part of this 2012 SENDD CEDS

process, active discussion was held as to whether the transition from the seven county previously

designated EDD, i.e., River County Economic Development District (the EDD which had the last

full CEDS update), to the 15 county formally EDA designated EDD, i.e., Southeast Nebraska

Development District, would impact goals of the organization. The conclusion was: “No. The

transition from a seven county EDD to a 15 county EDD retained the fundamental nature of the

district while presenting newly assessed strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats that were

found to be shared among both the previous seven county EDD and the new 15 County SENDD.”

E.4. Community & Private Sector Participation: “The CEDS must include a section discussing the

relationship between the community in general and the private sector in the development and implementation of the CEDS. Public & private sector partnerships are critical to the implementation of the CEDS. “

The multiple news releases to the weekly papers and radio stations across the region, the open

door solicitation for participants to complete the web based general survey, and the open door

solicitation for interested persons to join in with the Sub-Regional ED Caucuses all were

undertaken with the recognized value of this SENDD CEDS being a partnership of both the


private sector and the public sector. Strong private sector input and interaction was present

through out this 2012 SENDD CEDS process.

E.5. Strategic Projects, Programs, & Activities: “The CEDS must include a section which identifies

regional projects, programs and activities designed to implement the Goals & Objectives of the CEDS.”

This information is encapsulated in the Combined Analysis/Opportunity Assessments: Top

Considerations for SENDD Area. This section carries an overview of opportunities that point to strategic

plans, programs and activities. Ongoing collaboration of the SENDD Board, directing SENDD staff efforts

and leadership investments into specific opportunities will unfold during the implementation of this CEDS

during the five year planning period.

E.6. CEDS Plan of Action: “The plan of action, as described in the CEDS, implements the goals &

objectives of the CEDS in a manner that: a. Promotes economic development and opportunity; b. Fosters effective transportation access; c. Enhances and protects the environment’ d. Maximizes effective development and use of the workforce consistent with any applicable State and local workforce investment strategy; e. Promotes the use of technology in economic development, including access to high speed telecommunications. f. Balances resources through sound management of physical development; and g. Obtains & utilizes funds and other resources.

The CEDS must also contain a section that discusses the methodology for cooperating and integrating the CEDS with a State’s economic development priorities.”

SENDD maintains close contact with NDED staff and management to stay apprised of where the

State’s economic development priorities might be shifting. Participating in ongoing training

opportunities (such as the Annual CDBG Public Hearing Process and the CDBG Application

Workshops) are examples of such ongoing communication opportunities. SENDD staff also

maintains linkages to NDED & other agencies via structures such as Southeast Nebraska

Resource Network (SERN); Nebraska Regional Officials Commission (NROC); and Nebraska

Economic Development Association (NEDA).

Goals and Objectives developed through the Southeast Nebraska Development District’s

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy is the basis for establishment of SENDD’s

annual Scope of Work. Each activity identified in the Scope of Work cites a Goal established in

the CEDS and identifies specific accomplishments to be achieved during the term of that


particular Scope of Work. Evaluation then becomes a function of assessing efforts to develop

and accomplishment of activities against those established within each identified activity.

Extending the template that RCEDD successfully relied upon when organized as a seven county

EDD, SENDD has and will continue to utilize the action steps identified above in this 2012

SENDD Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

E.7. Performance Measures/Evaluation: “The CEDS must contain a section that lists the

performance measures used to evaluate the Planning Organization’s successful development & implementation of the CEDS.”

This CEDS/Strategic Planning process has resulted in benefits beyond just the worthy effort of

Strategic Planning. The extra activity that is a result of an every 5 year CEDS process provides

an additional opportunity for community leaders to reflect on what their District and their District

shared staff can do for and with them. This extra activity gives SENDD staff a fresh look at who

the “end user/customer/client” of SENDD is.

All that is a valid “bonus”. But there is an idiom or sage saying in this business: “What gets

measured gets accomplished.” In that vein, this CEDS identified specific goals that give overall

direction to the economic development efforts of the Southeast Nebraska Development District.

These goals were developed and affirmed following multiple opportunities for input and upon

reflecting on the current conditions and capacities of the SENDD staff.

Performance Measurement:

To measure the progress, SENDD will evaluate its performance by means of an ongoing review

effort that will quantify successful implementation of this CEDS. These measurables will include,

but not be limited to:

a. Number of jobs created after implementation during this CEDS period.

b. Number & types of investments undertaking in the 15 county SENDD region.

c. Number of Jobs retained in the region.

d. Amount of private sector investment in the region after implementation of the CEDS.

e. Changes in the economic environment of the region.

2012 Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) CEDS

www.sendd.org

MAIN OFFICE

2631 “O” Street, Lincoln, NE 68510

Office: 402-475-2560

Fax: 402-475-2794

[email protected]

HUMBOLDT OFFICE

727 4th Street

PO Box 308, Humboldt, NE 68376

Office: 402-862-2201

[email protected]




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