Northeast Nebraska Growing Together

A plan outlining the proactive transformation of Northeast Nebraska’s regional economy and population growth. At its essence, the plan pairs entrepreneurs with investment capital and students to redesign a workforce that can compete in a knowledge-based economy where the sharing of information is valued more than the means of production.

Downtown Development

Create an affordable and stimulating living and working environment in a 3×7 -block area of downtown Norfolk. Objectives include the creation of 300 high-quality rental units and attraction of a concentration of business enterprises with the goal of locating a core population of 1,000 predominately twenty-something employees.

Founders in Residence

Invite founders of both existing and new businesses to shift the focus to technology based economic development and create an innovation ecosystem.

Cooperative Scholarships

Increase the number of Norfolk area four-year college graduates in specific career programs. Wayne State College and other state colleges and universities will offer cooperative scholarships in which students will be required to live in downtown Norfolk during their senior year to complete immersive work-based learning experiences.

Workforce Retraining

Provide opportunities for residents who are not college-educated or find themselves in jobs that are disappearing or in positions that offer little in the way of career advancement. This program offers employees the opportunity to develop new skills in information technology related fields through a 12-week training program with Northeast Community College.

Emerging Arts

Increase opportunities for artistic practice and exposure through an artist in residency program featuring art spaces, events, panel discussions, workshops and other place enhancing activities. 12-week training program with Northeast Community College.

Early Childhood Education

Combining the area’s current childcare capacity with new resources to establish free, high-quality care and education programs for children age birth to kindergarten in communities surrounding Norfolk. Families with two working parents are more likely to stay in Northeast Nebraska if they are assured that quality daycare is provided to allow them to work, volunteer, or pursue their dreams.

01. Downtown Development

Create an affordable and stimulating living and working environment in a 3×7 -block area of downtown Norfolk. Objectives include the creation of 300 high-quality rental units and attraction of a concentration of business enterprises with the goal of locating a core population of 1,000 predominately twenty-something employees.

02. Founders in Residence

Invite founders of both existing and new businesses to shift the focus to technology based economic development and create an innovation ecosystem.

03. Cooperative Scholarships

Increase the number of Norfolk area four-year college graduates in specific career programs. Wayne State College and other state colleges and universities will offer cooperative scholarships in which students will be required to live in downtown Norfolk during their senior year to complete immersive work-based learning experiences.

04. Workforce Retraining

Provide opportunities for residents who are not college-educated or find themselves in jobs that are disappearing or in positions that offer little in the way of career advancement. This program offers employees the opportunity to develop new skills in information technology related fields through a 12-week training program with Northeast Community College.

05. Emerging Arts

Increase opportunities for artistic practice and exposure through an artist in residency program featuring art spaces, events, panel discussions, workshops and other place enhancing activities. 12-week training program with Northeast Community College.

06. Early Childhood Education

Combining the area’s current childcare capacity with new resources to establish free, high-quality care and education programs for children age birth to kindergarten in communities surrounding Norfolk.

Angie Stenger | Executive Director
angie@growingtogetherne.com   402-860-7439


Mike Flood | News Channel Nebraska Founder
mflood@newschannelnebraska.com 402-371-0100


Sandra Reding | Aksarben Foundation President
redings@aksarben.org 402-554-9600


Angie Stenger | Executive Director
angie@growingtogetherne.com   402-860-7439

Mike Flood | News Channel Nebraska Founder
mflood@newschannelnebraska.com 402-371-0100

Sandra Reding | Aksarben Foundation President
redings@aksarben.org 402-554-9600