Nebraska Advantage

Film Office markets Nebraska to professionals who are seeking locations for feature and commercial filming.
Contact: Lori Cole at (402) 471-3746, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Diplomats, Inc. is a nonprofit volunteer organization with statewide membership that works with DED and other development organizations to promote economic development in the state.
Contact: Lori Shaal at (402) 471-3780, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.nediplomats.org

Nebraska Innovation Zone Commission (NIZC) advocates and recommends programs that encourage regional cooperation and foster community sustainability and economic development initiatives for the area adjacent to the Interstate 80 corridor, running through the entire length of Nebraska.
Contact: Kathy McKillip at (402) 471-1558, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Rural Development Commission (RDC) is a voice for Nebraska communities and fosters cooperation and understanding among agencies and organizations. The Commission administers the BEC and VAA grants.
Contact: Linda Fettig at (308) 749-2291, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Edgerton Quality Awards Program recognizes quality among the state’s manufacturing and service industries.
Contact: Jenne Rodriguez at (402) 471-3745, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership maintains field offices statewide to help manufacturers with business and technical challenges.
Contact: Dave Wright at (402) 471-3755, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Business Development
Community Development
Travel & Tourism

Business development staff work with communities and other development organizations to recruit new businesses, help expand or retain existing businesses, and support the start-up of new businesses.
Manager: Dan Curran at (402) 471-6513, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Industry Recruitment Program provides assistance with community preparation, industrial site evaluation, community profiles, business incentives, and marketing.
Contact: Cheryl Brandenburgh at (402) 538-3038, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

One-Stop Business Assistance Center answers business owners’ and entrepreneurs’ questions and locates other resources as requested.
Contact: Steve Williams at (402) 471-3782, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Business Retention & Expansion Survey Program assists with area surveys of businesses to determine improvements in the local business climate.
Contact: Jenne Rodriguez at (402) 471-3745, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Nebraska Works provides assistance with programs that address communities’ labor supply and labor-related issues.


Customized Job Training , funded through DED, delivers pre-employment and start-up training through community colleges and other vendors.
Contact: Bob Doty at (402) 471-2095, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership maintains field offices statewide to help manufacturers with business and technical challenges.
Contact: Dave Wright at (402) 471-3755, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Financial Packaging & Economic Development Finance for primary Nebraska employers that need financing for expansion or retention, and for businesses locating from outside the state.
Contact: Richard Baier at (402) 471-3747, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

International Trade and Investment Office works with Nebraska businesses to expand international marketing; foster international manufacturing investments in the state; and arrange foreign trade and investment missions in cooperation with the Governor’s Office and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
Contact: Joe Chapuran at (402) 595-1416, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Edgerton Quality Awards Program recognizes quality among the state’s manufacturing and service industries.
Contact: Jenne Rodriguez at (402) 471-3745, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Nebraska Patent and Technology Program protects and oversees state-owned patents and technology.
Contact: Darrell Ullman at (402) 471-3786, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Nebraska Microenterprise Development Program helps micro businesses realize the potential to create jobs, enhance entrepreneurial skills and increase low-income households' capacity to become self-sufficient. The program also facilitates development of a permanent, statewide infrastructure of microlending.
Contact: Bob Doty at (402) 471-2095, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Targeted Industries have been identified through a recent study and receive special attention. These are:
Agri-Tourism, Contact: Karen Kollars at (308) 249-3220, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Bio Technology, Contact: Darrell Ullman at (402) 471-3786, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Information Services, Contact: Tim Obrien at (402) 326-3104, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Metal Fabrication, Contact: Phil Michel at (402) 471-3772, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Diplomats, Inc. is a nonprofit volunteer organization with statewide membership that works with DED and other development organizations to promote economic development in the state.
Contact: Lori Shaal at (402) 471-3780, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  or www.nediplomats.org

Business Development Research provides information on statistics related to business development in the state, development policy background and other development-related data.
Contact: Michael Lundeen at (402) 471-3788, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Economic Development Certified Communities Program provides recognition for communities demonstrating documented economic development readiness as specified by program criteria.
Contact: Linda Black at (308) 991-2986, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it


Nebraska Innovation Zone Commission (NIZC) advocates and recommends programs that encourage regional cooperation and foster community sustainability and economic development initiatives for the area adjacent to the Interstate 80 corridor, running through the entire length of Nebraska.
Contact: Kathy McKillip at (402) 471-1558, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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The Community and Rural Development Division helps Nebraskans build development capacity, as well as improve leadership and decision-making skills at the local level. Staff administer the state’s Community Development Block Grant program, a federal resource to fund housing and infrastructure projects, stimulate revitalization, and expand and help shape business and economic development efforts. In addition, the federal HOME program and the state Housing Trust Fund are used as development tools for affordable housing.
Manager: Gary Hamer at (402) 471-4388, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Community Strategic Planning Program provides technical assistance and federal grants to communities and local areas undertaking community development planning processes.
Contact: Christina Bartels at (402) 471-3172, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it


Affordable Housing Program provides technical support and federal grants to local governments for affordable housing rehabilitation and construction, and to assist in overcoming barriers to making affordable housing available.
Contact: Lara Huskey at (402) 471-3759, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Community Infrastructure Grant Program provides federal grants to local governments for water/wastewater projects, community facilities, and other community infrastructure projects.
Contact: Merci Suarez at (402) 471-6280, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Community Development Assistance Act provides tax credits to businesses for contributions to qualified community betterment organizations and projects.
Contact: Kevin Andersen at (402) 471-3775, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Economic Development Certified Communities This certification signals a community's dedication, leadership, and vision for growing and attracting new jobs and people, and shows a community is economic development ready
Contact: Linda Black at (308) 995-8742, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act (LB 840) authorizes incorporated cities and villages to appropriate local tax dollars (sales and/or property tax), if approved by the local voters, for economic development purposes.
Contact: Tara Hosick at (308) 697-8844, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Nebraska Community Improvement Program encourages planning and development of small to large size Nebraska communities.
Contact: Christina Bartels at (402) 471-3172, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Community/Regional Research Information provides data and research background on communities, counties, and regions in the state.
Contact: Michael Lundeen at (402) 471-3788, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ,
or Tom Doering at (402) 471-3784, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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DED’s Travel and Tourism staff offer programs and services to help communities and regions develop their tourism potential, thereby strengthening and building on Nebraska’s third largest industry.
Main numbers: (800) 228-4307 or 877-NEBRASKA (632-7275); tourist information (402) 471-3796
Director: Christian Hornbaker at (402) 471-3794, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Group Tour Marketing actively markets and promotes Nebraska attractions, events and visitor services, and offers familiarization tours for group travel operators and group leaders.
Contact: Paula Bohaty at (402) 471-3744, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Travel Writer’s Assistance involves working with travel writers, providing information for travel stories, recommending story ideas and helping plan itineraries.
Contact: Sarah Baker at (402) 471-3797 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tourism Assessment Resource Growth Evaluation Team (TARGET) provides communities with opportunities to evaluate their tourism potential, and work with tourism staff to develop and enhance new and existing tourism projects.
Contact: Micheal Collins at (402) 471-3795, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Advantage Matching Grants Program provides grants of $5,000---$50,000 for local and regional marketing and promotion activities. Revenues and dollar-for-dollar match.
Contact: Tom Doering at (402) 471-3784, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or Twyla Witt at (308) 645-2702, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tourism Marketing Grants Program awards $75,000 from its annual operating budget for innovative marketing efforts to increase tourism revenues in Nebraska.
Contact: Twyla Witt at (308) 645-2702, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

I-80 Rest Stop Travel Information Program provides travel counselors at rest stops across the state to provide travel and tourism information and answer travel-related questions.
Contact: Ann Bierbower at (402) 471-3791, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it


The Nebraska Byways Program promotes nine Byways in the state to encourage travelers to discover off-the-beaten path adventures.
Contact: Twyla Witt at (308) 645-2702, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tourism Development Initiative Grant Program assists tourism development projects which have already attracted significant financial support and are likely to have long-term positive impacts on their local and regional economies.
Contact: Tom Doering at (402) 471-3784, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Local Civic, Cultural and Convention Center Financing Program identifies communities for grant assistance in the development of these facilities.
Contact: Tom Doering at (402) 471-3784, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Agri-Tourism identifies the tourism potential for ag-related business, attractions and events.
Contact: Karen Kollars at (308) 249-3220, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Eco-Tourism assists in the development and promotion of Nebraska’s eco/nature tourism industry.
Contact: Tom Tabor, (402) 471-7755, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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