News & Events

Job seekers across all disciplines consider the long-term viability of employers they consider working for. Regardless of industry or role, those wishing to begin or continue their career want to know they can sign on with a company that will offer security. In Beatrice, NEAPCO’s track record provides that significan...Continue Reading

Manufacturing is critical to the economic well-being of Gage County, with plenty of career opportunities available at local businesses. Organizations like Gage Are Growth Enterprise (NGage) often focus their workforce development assistance within the actual manufacturing companies themselves. But these businesses cannot operate at peak efficiencies without the optimum managemen...Continue Reading

As 2021 reaches its conclusion, small businesses across the country shift their attention to the holidays. They eagerly anticipate customers strolling through their doors in numbers that will help get back to pre-pandemic, “normal” operations. Beginning with Small Business Saturday on November 27, shopping local this holiday season is th...Continue Reading

If you ask Randy Kinney, manufacturing jobs today have a misplaced reputation.  “The mindset of many folks today is that manufacturing jobs are in dark, scary and unsafe conditions,” said the owner of Kinney Manufacturing. “But we are just the opposite, with highly-technical jobs in bright, clean, organized and safe environments.” Opportunitie...Continue Reading

There are those who describe the current, faster-and-faster-moving marketplace as a fourth industrial revolution, and the best entrepreneurship programs are those that help students appropriately speed up and, when necessary, scale up their ideas, from unicorns to innovative business models. Students who enroll at these schools will find themselves a...Continue Reading

It was my privilege to participate in commemorations of Veterans Day on the 11th. I attended the Veterans Day ceremony at Freeman school, where the whole school and many others from Adams and the surrounding area helped to honor the many veterans for their service and sacrifices they have made. Ther...Continue Reading

Many businesses have benefited enormously from digital sales during the pandemic. Not only did Covid-19 alter consumer buying patterns; digital platforms accelerated online consumption and redefined business models. The trend has especially impacted companies once classified as traditional freight forwarders that now operate as integrated, third-party logistics (3PL) service providers. Consequently...Continue Reading

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BEATRICE – The Beatrice School Board has approved creation of an interlocal agency with Educational Service Unit Number 5, that would make bond payments on a new prekindergarten to fifth grade building, paid through the school district leasing the structure. The vote of the school board was unanimous, Monday night.  Th...Continue Reading

Planning is the key to sustainable, managed growth, and choosing the best type of strategic plan is equally important. When a community grows too quickly, or haphazardly, resources and infrastructure are strained. When it grows too slowly, the seeds are planted for a steady cycle of decline. Different communities, a...Continue Reading

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has announced the latest recipients under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program’s Downtown Revitalization funding opportunity. Five communities have been selected to receive a portion of the $2,175,000 available for award. A federal Department of Housing and Urban Development program administered by DED o...Continue Reading

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) is now accepting public comments on behalf of the State of Nebraska regarding the proposed use of approximately $56.2 million in State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funding. The funding will be available to the State through the Federal Government starting in 2022. ...Continue Reading

The Department of Economic Development has opened applications for the Microenterprise Assistance Program. Up to $1,000,000 in Micro-Lending and up to $2,000,000 in Micro-Technical Assistance funds will be awarded this cycle. Applications must be submitted to the Department no later than 5:00 p.m. on December 1, 2021. Read full article.Continue Reading

FREMONT - Wholestone Farms in Fremont recently approved a new contract for meat packing workers.  On Saturday, the company announced a new three-year union contract that includes the first ever paid sick leave provided by the company. The contract will also strengthen pay, healthcare coverage, and retirement benefits.  UFCW Local 293, th...Continue Reading

BEATRICE – The City of Beatrice has appointed a Finance Director to take over when long-time city employee and Finance Director Linda Koch retires early next year.  The Beatrice City Council approved the appointment of Hannah Bell, Monday night…who will be promoted effective January 8th. Bell started as an assistan...Continue Reading

America is the greatest country in the world because our Constitution recognizes God-given human rights and protects individual liberties.  Our Republic has endured for nearly two-and-a-half centuries due to the blood, sweat, and sacrifice of our military veterans.  Veterans Day is an opportunity for Nebraskans to thank the veterans who’v...Continue Reading

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has announced awards totaling approximately $5.3 million to 14 recipients under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program’s Public Works funding opportunity. A federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program, administered by DED on behalf of Nebraska’s non-entitlement communities, CDBG dollars exis...Continue Reading

Manufacturing jobs can be fast-paced and exciting, especially in an environment where the co-workers are friendly, respectful and value good communication. Opportunities in that atmosphere can be found at Beatrice’s Landmark Snacks, a meat snack manufacturer. NGage’s educational video series Opportunity Here illustrates the nature of the jobs there. “It i...Continue Reading

BEATRICE - It’s Manufacturing Day….and students from Beatrice and Freeman Public Schools will be able to get a close-up look at four local businesses…..Rare Earth Salts, Precise Fabrication, Neapco and Landmark Snacks. "They're excited. They want to get students in the doors and see what they have to offer. With las...Continue Reading

A local educational opportunity for students returned to Beatrice this year, with the fourth annual Manufacturing Day organized by the NGage economic development group. Roughly 60 students from Beatrice and Freeman high schools spent their Wednesday touring Rare Earth Salts, Precise Fabrication, Neapco and Landmark Snacks as part of a delaye...Continue Reading

Many building managers have realized that — in the same way that they have a responsibility to keep their occupants safe and healthy — they also have a responsibility to keep the planet safe and healthy. In fact, Johnson Controls found in its 2020 Energy Efficiency Indicator Survey that 6...Continue Reading

Within the plethora of buzzwords that grew in popularity over the COVID-19 pandemic, there is one that will live on stronger throughout the foreseeable future. Beyond terms like lockdowns, mandates, bottlenecks, shortages, SPACs, and inflation, it’s the word sustainability that will have a lasting effect on companies, their employees, an...Continue Reading

The 2020 census is an important tool for understanding population trends and demographic shifts in our Greater Nebraska hometowns, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Articles lamenting the shrinking population of rural areas abound, but we know better. Nebraska Community Foundation’s Youth Survey is taking a qualitative look at th...Continue Reading

Starting October 1, 2021, filmmakers can apply for grants of up to $400,000 to support feature film projects that are shot on-location in Nebraska and tell a Nebraska story. Administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), the Nebraska Film Office Grant is available to resident or non-resident production companie...Continue Reading