LINCOLN, NEB. (August 19, 2008)—Hastings has earned the Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community designation.

Sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats, the program is one of a few nationwide that recognizes communities for being prepared for economic development. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development administers the application process.

“We congratulate Hastings on becoming the 20th community to earn the prestigious ED certification designation,” said Nebraska Diplomats President Tim White. “The Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community program has helped Nebraska communities build credibility as serious global competitors when it comes to vying for new and expanding business opportunities.”

The City of Hastings and Hastings Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) have marketed more than 300 10,000-sq.-ft. buildings and 8,000 acres in the former Naval Ammunition Depot, built and marketed eight speculative buildings in its industrial parks, located two nearby ethanol plants that produce more than 120 million gallons of alternative fuel, and created more than 3,500 jobs for Hastings and Adams County. All of this activity translates into more than $600 million in capital investment to the city and county.

HEDC was one of the first economic development corporations in Nebraska to use Industrial Revenue Bonds to develop an industrial park, and the only one in the state to have paid off those same Bonds as a result of attracting industrial firms to the Industrial Park. Currently HEDC is working with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to build a new 100,000-sq.ft. speculative building to showcase the central region as a viable profit center for more rural areas of Nebraska.

Other Nebraska ED Certified Communities are Auburn, Cozad, Fremont, Geneva, Gothenburg, Grand Island, Holdrege, Kearney, Lexington, Nebraska City, Norfolk, North Platte, Ogallala, Ord, Scottsbluff, Sidney, South  Sioux City, Wahoo and Wayne.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patty Wood at 800-426-6505, 402-471-1559, or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it