Recapping the NNDC’s First Annual Housing and Workforce Development Roundtable

In August, the Northwest Nebraska Development Corporation (NNDC) hosted its first annual Housing and Workforce Development Roundtable. Bringing together key stakeholders, local municipal leaders, regional innovators, and community members, this landmark event established a unified forum to address Dawes County's most urgent economic growth priorities.

The roundtable served as a collaborative springboard to connect local economic strategies with state and regional resources. Led by NNDC Executive Director John Reed, the roundtable welcomed over two dozen in-person and virtual attendees. Attendees included local business owners, civic leaders, housing advocates, and regional partners from both within Dawes County and neighboring areas. The roundtable featured presentations from the Nebraska Department of Labor, MakeMyMove, and FiveRule Planning.

Addressing Key Regional Priorities

The roundtable and presentations focused heavily on two interconnected foundational pillars essential for economic vitality: housing availability and workforce expansion.

Nebraska Department of Labor

The Nebraska Department of Labor provided vital updates on labor market trends and the future of Nebraska’s workforce. 

Nebraska currently leads the nation in labor force participation (69.9%) and holds the sixth-lowest unemployment rate (3.0%) across the country. To sustain this growth, Governor Jim Pillen issued Executive Order No. 25-15, establishing the Good Life, Great Careers Initiative and creating the Nebraska State Office of Registered Apprenticeship. The initiative sets an ambitious goal to add 6,000 active registered apprentices by 2030, targeting priority sectors such as healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and transportation.

To achieve this vision, Nebraska must address key challenges across the state’s workforce landscape. Currently, 45% of surveyed Nebraska employers are unfamiliar with registered apprenticeships and 70.4% do not partner with educational institutions for hiring. Furthermore, severe candidate shortages persist in critical fields such as education and healthcare. By expanding education pipelines, including proactive training in AI tools and related emerging technologies, and improving coordination and governance, Nebraska aims to bridge workforce gaps and drive long-term economic prosperity.

MakeMyMove

MakeMyMove is a talent attraction platform designed to help communities identify, attract, and convert high-intent movers from across the country to generate measurable economic growth, expand the local workforce, and increase the tax base.

In their presentation, MakeMyMove supported a structured framework to recruit out-of-state workers, building on the momentum from Nebraska’s New Taxpayer Recruitment Grant Act (LB1114), which provides up to $250,000 in grant funding with a 20% local match.

According to MakeMyMove, even a modest program attracting just five households could yield significant economic returns, generating over $500,000 in added household income, $346,000 in annual economic output, and $48,000 in new state and local tax revenue. And beyond direct revenue, these initiatives could equip Northwest Nebraska with vital data on housing demand, verified workforce pipelines, and talent intelligence to help local employers fill critical job vacancies.

FiveRule Planning

FiveRule Planning is a specialized urban and community planning firm focused on empowering rural municipalities, counties, and economic development organizations. The firm provides tailored solutions designed specifically for the unique needs, resources, and character of smaller communities.

In Northwest Nebraska, FiveRule Planning sees opportunity and need around developing a nuisance property registry to help communities begin the process of mitigation and reclamation.

Building From Here

The success of the first annual Housing and Workforce Development Roundtable highlights the growing economic momentum in Northwest Nebraska. By fostering direct dialog between community leaders and regional partners, the NNDC continues to build the infrastructure needed to support sustainable growth, vibrant neighborhoods, and a thriving business climate.

As the NNDC advances its strategic outreach, the organization encourages community members, entrepreneurs, and leaders to stay engaged. You can reach out to the NNDC directly via our online contact form.