LINCOLN, NEB. (April 20, 2009)-Holdrege, Nebraska, has earned recertification in the Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community Program for another three years. The program is sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats and administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED).

Holdrege, population 5,300 and the county seat of Phelps County, has capitalized  on its certification status since first earning it in April 2006.

The community recently launched JustThePlaceNebraska.com to recruit workforce, new industries, and tourists, while simultaneously providing local residents and leaders of businesses and non-profit organizations with a forum through which to interact and exchange ideas.

During the past three years, the community has assisted 28 businesses via enhancement grants funded through LB840, the Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act, which authorized the collection and use of local tax dollars for economic development. More than $190,000 in building exterior improvements has led to a more visually appealing downtown.

At least 125 new jobs also have been created, thanks in large part to two community revolving loan funds. Of those, at least 15 were jobs with new companies recruited by the Phelps County Development Corporation.

Holdrege secured $750,000 in funding through DED's New Neighborhood Initiative, designed to recruit and retain local workforces through new planned unit development subdivisions, including mixed income housing and uses, such as commercial development. The application process, initiated by Phelps County Development Corporation, yielded more than financing, reenergizing the Holdrege Development Corporation, a local housing organization, which ultimately assumed responsibility for the grant administration.

"Holdrege has really stepped up to the plate in how seriously it takes its ED Certified Community designation in relation to the number of quality of life issues it has chosen to address during the past three years," said Nebraska Diplomats President Mary C. Gerdes."I really look forward to seeing all that they accomplish during their next three years."

Communities exhibiting economic development readiness are eligible to earn certification once approved by a review committee. Communities are judged against standards including: organization, local industry target identification and workforce issues, infrastructure, local financing and business assistance, as well as providing information on building and site availability, zoning, opportunities for tourism, and the availability of child care. More information on applying for the program is available at http://www.neded.org/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/HL2EX1DP/www.neded.org                                       

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