Approximately 40 community leaders from throughout the area were in Wayne on June 23 for the kick off of the "Growing Nebraska" Tour .
Sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and led by K.C. Belitz, Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), the event was the first of six stops planned for coming weeks. Additional stops will be held in Chadron, Grand Island, Imperial, Nebraska city and Ogallala.
Belitz told those in the audience the tour was designed to both "talk about where we are headed and how we can best partner with local organizations."
"We want to work to execute Gov. Pillen's vision for the state and ask questions to best serve you," Belitz said.
He focused on the positive assets the state of Nebraska already has in place. These include increasing population in the state, a growing workforce, industry successes and quality of life.
In competing for jobs in the future he said the state needs to "be growing our own and be strategic and targeted in recruiting."
Several other DED representatives in attendance spoke on the state's activities to grow Nebraska's workforce, encourage business development and support the construction of affordable housing.
Belitz spoke on the 6 Regions, One Nebraska program which encourages creating partnerships to provide for additional resources and told the audience to "think regionally."
In attracting and retaining young people to the Nebraska workforce, he said the state needs to provide safety, good school and have an attractive cost of living.
"We have a unique window opportunity here in Nebraska. We have agribusiness, reliable energy and a central location," Belitz said.
The event included a question and answer session with those in attendance. Questions from both the audience and the presenters focused on how to better work in partnership and what resources are available through the DED.
