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Nebraska’s new  million regional economic development approach is underway
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Nebraska’s new $3 million regional economic development approach is underway

Nebraska’s new  million regional economic development approach is underway
The colored map shows the different regions of the “6 Regions, One Nebraska” initiative, which promotes a regional approach to economic development. Organizers see pooling resources and ideas in the region as a way to attract more workers and strengthen the economy. Wednesday marked the first meeting of the Omaha-based Metropolitan Community College Region, meaning all six regions are now active. (Courtesy of Nebraska Department of Economic Development)

Cindy Gonzalez

Nebraska Examiner

OMAHA — Armed with an initial $3 million in public funding, Nebraska has now fully launched a new regional approach to economic development that organizers hope will accelerate growth and strengthen the state’s competitiveness.

On Wednesday, the last of six regional teams met in Omaha for its inaugural meeting and began planning a flagship project for the largely urban, four-county region in and around Nebraska’s largest city.

KC Belitz, director of the Nebraska Department of Commerce, called it the “great shift” – a unique initiative that would address regional needs, attract young professionals and boost the local economy.

Organizers expect at least another $3 million in private investment to help communities implement kick-off projects, which they said could range from public facilities to youth-focused projects or affordable housing projects.

“Day and night” different

The state’s other five regional teams have already held their respective introductory meetings for the so-called three-year “6 Regions, One Nebraska” initiative over the past three months.

Belitz said the longer-term goal is to build a culture in which neighboring communities pool their assets, energy and ideas to meet the challenges of an era of economic development that he said is “completely different” from the era 20 years ago.

“It is time to rethink this work regionally,” he said.

Financial incentive

The state’s initial investment of $3 million, matched by private funds, will serve as a financial incentive for each of the six regions to launch a regional project in one of the following areas: resident recruitment, youth participation, entrepreneurship, technology, infrastructure, or a selected regional project.

Each of the six regional teams is focused on one of the state’s community college districts and is led by a paid “navigator” who works with co-chairs to organize meetings of community partners.

While it is each region’s job to strengthen its own area, the end result should be a stronger Nebraska, said Dana Bradford, Omaha region co-chair of Metro Community College.

“Fifty states are competing to retain and recruit employees,” said Bradford, CEO of C3 Brands. “It’s about competing beyond Nebraska’s borders.”

Organizers say the initiative is motivated by an urgent need to fill gaps, including Nebraska’s 50,000 to 80,000 job openings and a lack of affordable housing and child care services.

Alarming inequality

The first meeting of approximately 100 representatives from business, education, nonprofit organizations and other sectors of the Metropolitan Community College Region of Douglas, Sarpy, Washington and Dodge counties took place on Wednesday.

Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg co-leads the region with Bradford. The daylong meeting, held at Metro’s Fort Omaha campus, also featured speakers such as Randy Schmailzl, president of Metropolitan Community College, and Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Josie Schafer, a data expert who directs the Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, provided a statistical overview of demographics, income, education, labor market, housing and other trends in the region.

For example, data-based graphics highlighted the lack of licensed childcare providers, which can be a deterrent when recruiting workers.

With 68,196 spots for 69,077 children under 6, the MCC region actually performs better than other regions in the state. In comparison, the Northeast region has 6,302 spots for 12,219 preschool children and the Mid-Plains district has 3,017 spots for 6,254 children.

“We need places. I need choice. Even in the metropolitan region we don’t have enough of them,” said Schafer.

Bradford was particularly concerned about a graph showing that median household income in north and south Omaha was far below the rest of Douglas County ($35,711 for north and $42,487 for south, compared to $83,651 for the rest of the county).

“That’s the problem for me,” he said. “Ultimately, we have to create wages and jobs. There’s no way we’re going to win if North Omaha, South Omaha or the rural communities have such disparities in income.”

ARPA Fund launched initiative

DED and the Nebraska Chamber are overseeing the 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative, which was funded with $3 million in seed money from the American Rescue Plan Act. Governor Jim Pillen, who requested the funds from the Legislature, is scheduled to meet with each region’s task force twice a year.

“Ultimately, we need to create wages and jobs. There’s no way we’re going to win if North Omaha, South Omaha or rural communities have such disparities in income.”

– Dana Bradford, Co-Chair of Metropolitan Community College Regional Team

In an interview, Slone said the initiative builds on Blueprint Nebraska, a comprehensive statewide planning program for 2018-19 that outlined strategies to grow the state’s population and economy.

He said the plan is still in place, but implementing the strategies is difficult, in part because of the varying conditions in cities across the state. He expects more success with a regional approach.

“This is about execution, about how to do it,” Slone said.

One example of what a region could do better than a single city is housing. Given the shortage of contractors in rural areas, Slone said, a network of communities can pool resources and guarantee continuity of work, making it more attractive for a contractor to bring a crew to the city.

“It’s about scope and scale,” Slone said.

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