Nicole Sedlacek Attends "6 Regions, One Nebraska" Conference

NICOLE SEDLACEK speaks about community cooperation during "6 Regions, One Nebraska"

K.C. Belitz, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, said more than ever, it takes cooperation between communities for economic development to occur.

  Belitz at one time worked for the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and recalled the days when communities viewed landing a major employer as a victory over a rival community. He was among the featured speakers Monday, Aug. 5, during the Northeast regional initiative as part of “6 Regions, One Nebraska.”

  Belitz told about 100 community leaders at the Northeast Community College Lifelong Learning Center that economic development has changed. Among other things, jobs don't necessarily require a new building and utilities extended to it.

  Now with technology, it might be that the constraints are that the jobs are in Norfolk, housing in Pierce and childcare in Madison.

  “In today's world, that's a perfectly acceptable recipe for a whole lot of people, but if you are stuck within the boundaries of your community, you cannot be successful,” Belitz said.

  Monday's initiative was the fifth of six regional initiatives as part of “6 Regions, One Nebraska.”  It began with a press conference featuring five speakers. Later in the day, community leaders shared their thoughts on assets and developed plans for regional development.

  Belitz said he has been pleased by the cooperation that has been extended in the four previous regions where it has kicked off.

  Leah Barrett, Northeast president, said the partnerships that have been formed already by Northeast have made the college stronger.

  “We know we can do better together,” Barrett said. “We can do more together than we can do alone.”

  Among the college partnerships that already have formed is the Northeast Nebraska Agriculture Education Compact. It includes the University of Nebraska, Wayne State College, Northeast Community College, Little Priest Tribal College, Nebraska Indian Community College and more than 20 high schools. Another one is the Growing Together initiative that includes Wayne State, Northeast, numerous businesses and economic development leaders to bring more young people to downtown Norfolk, she said.

  Northeast also has partnered with various business and regional partners to open a new Commercial Drivers License facility in South Sioux City to increase the number of CDL licensed drivers. That helps to support the two biggest industries in Northeast Nebraska, agriculture and manufacturing.

“Six Regions, One Nebraska is just another exciting opportunity for us to partner together to support this incredible region of our great state,” Barrett said.

  The regions are based on the six Nebraska community college districts.

  Nicole Sedlacek, economic development manager for Nebraska Public Power District and a Northeast board member, said she feels blessed to be from Northeast Nebraska.

  “I knew as a teenager growing up and attending high school, this was an area that I wanted to stay in and raise a family and where I really wanted to pursue my lifelong goals,” Sedlacek said.

  "Six Regions, One Nebraska will build upon the assets that exist in all the communities, attempting to fill in the gaps. This region has some of the best people in the world, from kindness to their innovation," Sedlacek said.

  Sedlacek, who is a Northeast alum and one of the region's representatives on the initiative, said while she may live in O'Neill, she is passionate about the growth, health and sustainability of all the communities.

  “I know my fellow leaders in Northeast Nebraska also share this passion,” Sedlacek said. “That's what I think is really different and unique about this effort – that we're all working together. A rising tide will raise all ships.” 

  Norfolk Mayor Josh Moenning, who also represents the region in the Northeast initiative, said communities that invest in themselves – whether it is infrastructure or quality of life – are growing.

  Moenning said he has attended various economic development conferences over the past 20 years. They always focus on things like workforce development and affordable housing.

  But if communities don't have the ability to make it so that the workers want to live there, it doesn't matter because those communities won't be sustainable.

  Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said this statewide effort began about five or six years ago, with talk of communities developing their economies. The need is for Nebraska to compete with 49 other states and globally. The competition isn't just for investment, but for people, Slone said.

  “It takes a lot of leaders,” Slone said. “When you get groups of leaders together in this state, generally good things happen.”

  Tackling issues like housing are easier when regions work together rather than individually, he said, with different regions having different priorities and strengths to offer.

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