Nebraska Department of Economic Development

09/11/2026

A beautiful ribbon cutting took place yesterday at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, Omaha for its new gymnasium facility, the Janet Erskine Stuart Center. Designed especially for women’s sports, the gym will host the Duchesne Academy Cardinals volleyball, basketball, and other sports teams.

This 44,000-square-foot athletic complex includes a competition-size gym, a cheering section, 1,200 seats, an indoor track, a geothermal system, a soccer field, and a student commons area. The facility will also benefit the Omaha community by providing a great place to host events and activities.

The $40 million expansion is the largest in Duchesne Academy’s 145-year history. DED is proud to have supported the project with a $5 million Shovel-Ready grant.

09/10/2026

Great conversation today at Bio Innovations North America about growing Nebraska’s bioeconomy!

DED’s Cobus Block moderated a morning panel featuring core members of the Rural STAMINA project. This collaboration between partners in Iowa and Nebraska (such as Invest Nebraska, Southeast Community College, Iowa State University, and the University of Nebraska System) has won a $15 million federal award (with potential to grow to $160 million!) to expand biomanufacturing capacity, support bio-based startups, and attract investment into the regional bioeconomy.

This afternoon, Bio Nebraska’s Rob Owen led a discussion on growing Nebraska bioscience workforce. Thanks to Evonik, Merck, and Metropolitan Community College (Nebraska) for taking part and for all you’re doing to connect students to great bioscience careers in Nebraska!

09/09/2026

As the U.S. gears up for a biomanufacturing boom, Nebraska is leading the way forward!

This week, the state is hosting Bio Innovations North America—the premier gathering of pioneering businesses in biotechnology and bio-based production.

The conference is designed to spark strategic partnerships among companies working to convert bio-based feedstocks into market-ready products.

DED is thrilled to be working alongside Bio Nebraska, World Bio Markets, Greater Omaha Chamber, and Select Lincoln | Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development to bring Bio Innovations to Omaha for the third consecutive year!

09/04/2026

Excited to announce Huskers basketball coach Fred Hoiberg as a keynote for the 2026 Governor’s Summit!

Coach Hoiberg led the Nebraska Huskers to the Sweet 16 in a historically successful 2025-2026 season.

Hoiberg has deep ties to Nebraska. He was born in Lincoln, his grandpa Jerry Bush also coached the Huskers men’s basketball team, and another of his grandfathers (Otto Hoiberg), taught history at University of Nebraska-Lincoln!

Coach Hoiberg joins Ben Sasse as a headline speaker for the Summit on Sept. 29th in Kearney. Register today at govsummit.nebraska.gov!

09/04/2026

Leaders across Northeast Nebraska gathered in Norfolk on Wednesday for the latest meeting of 6 Regions, One Nebraska (6R1N).

Thank you to everyone who is working to develop affordable housing, increase leadership capacity, and grow the workforce in the Northeast region!

And thank you to Northeast Community College for hosting us!

If you’ve not yet seen it, check out the website Northeast Nebraska Economic Development Network has built, with support from 6R1N, to encourage housing development in the region! (northeastnebraska.org/housing)

09/03/2026

Exciting to see the completion of the Porchlight Apartments in Lincoln!

Located in the South of Downtown neighborhood, the project adds 125 new affordable housing units to the Star City!

Clinic With A Heart is now operating out of its new location in the Porchlight Apartments building! The clinic provides compassionate, high-quality healthcare at no cost to under-insured patients whose medical needs exceed their capacity to pay for healthcare services. Clinic with a Heart is staffed by an amazing team of doctors and nurses who volunteer their time to provide care.

Congratulations to the City of Lincoln Government, Hoppe Development, Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, and the many other partners who made this affordable housing and healthcare project a reality!

DED is grateful to have contributed federal funds for Porchlight Apartments through the QCT Affordable Housing Program and the National Housing Trust Fund. The agency also awarded $2 million of federal ARPA funding to support development of Clinic with a Heart.

09/01/2026

Great to see this entrepreneurial duo from Lincoln start and grow their business in Nebraska! Dustin and Stacy Dam have successfully raised over $1 million in funding with support from Invest Nebraska, Nelnet, MOVE Venture Capital, and Nebraska Angels. Check out their story at the video below and learn more at setyoursites.com.

"Nebraska is full of helpers. It's a place where you can grow a business, raise a family – there's so much you can do here! You don't have to choose, 'Do I want to have a business? Have a family?' You can do everything here and do it very well." – Stacy Dam, Set Your Sites

Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

08/28/2026

Thrilled to announce that Ben Sasse will headline the Governor’s Summit on Sept. 29 in Kearney!

A Fremont HS grad, Ben has served as a US Senator, led Midland University and the University of Florida, and authored national bestsellers.

His strength through adversity is an inspiration to all Nebraskans.

We’re deeply honored to have Senator Sasse as this year’s keynote.

Register for the 2026 Summit today: https://govsummit.nebraska.gov/.

08/26/2026

Today, 100+ leaders in Southeast Nebraska convened in Lincoln for a 6 Regions, One Nebraska work session.

Thank you to Southeast Community College for hosting the gathering!

From developing water infrastructure to strengthening childcare availability, the Southeast Region is tackling key issues to encourage economic growth.

08/26/2026

Excited to announce the launch of Trades on the Move!

This mobile educational program combines science and career exploration to introduce students in grades 3-8 to the skilled trades.

At no cost, Nebraska schools can schedule Trades on the Move to provide a live demonstration or hands-on learning lab.

Thank you to Edgerton Explorit Center, Central Community College, and others generous donors for making this opportunity possible!

DED is proud to be a supporter of Trades on the Move through 6 Regions, One Nebraska!

Today, Edgerton Explorit Center; Central Community College; and 6 Regions, One Nebraska announced the launch of Trades on the Move through the Ken Wortman Trades Sciences Program. The mobile educational program combines science, engineering, problem-solving, and career exploration to introduce stude...