Defining the Northwest Nebraska Development Corporation

The Northwest Nebraska Development Corporation (NNDC) serves as the strategic heart of economic vitality for Dawes County, acting as a bridge between community goals and business success. By championing a resilient and diversified economy, the NNDC ensures that Chadron, Crawford, and the surrounding rural areas remain competitive in an evolving global market.

Whether it is managing the critical allocation of local tax dollars for infrastructure or serving as the first point of contact for major industry relocations, the corporation is dedicated to fostering an environment where innovation thrives and long-term investment is rewarded. Under the new leadership of Executive Director John Reed, the NNDC is entering a bold new chapter with a renewed commitment to the core principles of collaboration, sustainability, inclusivity, and proactivity.

Mission & Core Principles

The NNDC seeks to foster a resilient and diversified economy by strategically investing in infrastructure, supporting existing businesses, nurturing new entrepreneurs, developing a skilled workforce, and proactively marketing the county’s unique advantages. Four core principles drive this mission:

• Collaboration: Fostering strong partnerships between public, private, and institutional entities.
• Sustainability: Pursuing economic, environmental, and social sustainability in all initiatives.
• Inclusivity: Ensuring development benefits all residents and communities within the county.
• Proactivity: Acting strategically to seize opportunities and mitigate challenges.

By aligning these core principles with the distinctive assets of Chadron, Crawford, and the rest of Dawes County, the NNDC creates fertile ground where businesses scale and families put down roots.

Public and Community Services

The NNDC provides an array of public-facing services designed to ensure the region's growth remains sustainable and inclusive. By acting as a central hub for regional data and infrastructure planning, the NNDC empowers local citizens to participate in the county's economic momentum, ensuring that Northwest Nebraska is a premier destination to live, work, and thrive. These include:

More businesses mean more tax revenue for schools, police, and road repairs without necessarily increasing taxes for residents. Ensuring those amenities remain available for locals generates more interest and business in the community, and the cycle continues.

First Contact and the City’s Tax Dollars

When a large company considers moving to Northwest Nebraska, they call the NNDC first. The NNDC works with city management to answer questions about zoning and codes, utility capacity, and financing.

The NNDC acts as a bridge between the city’s tax dollars and private business growth. The NNDC is the lead agency that handles appropriating portions of local sales tax specifically for economic development. The corporation researches the projects, reviews applications, and makes recommendations to the City Council, who then approves the final expenditure. 

Business Development and Recruitment

Supporting existing businesses and fostering new enterprise creation is the engine of economic growth. The NNDC connects with existing Dawes County businesses to identify needs and opportunities. Additionally, the NNDC makes various financial resources available to enable modern developments in local industries while facilitating connections between local businesses and educational institutions for internships, research and procurement.

For new entrepreneurs and startups, the NNDC serves as a one-stop shop for navigating licensing, regulations, and resources available in the area. To offer further assistance in this area, the NNDC is also seeking to develop and promote a series of workshops on business planning, marketing, and financial management.

When you choose Dawes County, you benefit from a supportive partnership dedicated to your business success. The NNDC helps navigate available incentives and resources, simplifying processes and making sure you can fully leverage every opportunity.

Meet John Reed

John Reed is the new executive director of the NNDC. Reed is a seasoned public administrator, an economic development professional with over 25 years of leadership experience in managing complex civil projects, public contracts, and community growth initiatives. A quarter turn of public service and six years of military service in the Army have instilled in Reed a strong work ethic and leadership foundation. He enters the role ready to apply his unique blend of public sector management, economic development, and strategic communication skills to advance community and economic growth.

Your Gateway to Growth

The NNDC couldn’t be more excited about the year ahead. If you’d like to follow up on any of the above or learn more about how you can get involved, please connect with us via our website.