Development Council for Buffalo County

09/01/2026

Exciting news! Kearney has been selected as the 99th community to participate in the Communities for Kids initiative. We’re excited to leverage the program’s resources and connections as we continue working with local families, childcare providers, employers and community partners to address childcare challenges and strengthen early care and education in Kearney.

https://blog.growbuffalocounty.com/development-council-for-buffalo-county-blog/kearney-selected-for-communities-for-kids-initiative

Early Futures Partnership Bright Futures Preschool Buffalo County Community Partners Central Region Early Learning Connection Buckle Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce City of Kearney Nebraska Government University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney Regional Medical Center Kearney Area Community Foundation Entrepreneurship Center at Central Community College

09/01/2026

Applications are now open for Big Idea Buffalo County 2026!💡🚀

Whether you have an idea for a new business, product, service or community solution, this could be your chance to bring it to life and win up to $5000 in cash prizes, and business support from area organizations.

Applications close at midnight on October 4. Submit your idea at https://buffalocounty.org/big-idea/submit-idea

08/25/2026

Congratulations to Senator Stan Clouse, recipient of the Excellence in Economic Impact Award, Outstanding Business Person of the Year!

Throughout his service as a Kearney City Council member, mayor, community volunteer and now District 37 State Senator, Stan has been a dedicated advocate for Kearney and Buffalo County. His leadership has helped advance major projects, including the Central Nebraska Veterans’ Home, Patriot Park Youth SportsPlex and Tech oNE Crossing.

We are proud to recognize Senator Clouse for his continued leadership and commitment to moving our region forward.

Read more: https://blog.growbuffalocounty.com/development-council-for-buffalo-county-blog/senator-stan-clouse-receives-excellence-in-economic-impact-award

08/25/2026

Congratulations to the City of Ravenna, recipient of the Excellence in Economic Impact Award for its community development initiatives!

From new trails, pickleball courts and downtown improvements to updated community plans and expanded housing opportunities, Ravenna has taken a comprehensive approach to enhancing quality of life, encouraging investment and preparing for long-term growth.

We are proud to recognize Mayor Fred Matejka, city leaders and the Ravenna community for their vision and commitment to moving the community forward.

Read more: https://blog.growbuffalocounty.com/development-council-for-buffalo-county-blog/ravenna-development-initiatives-receive-excellence-in-economic-impact-award

Ravenna Economic Development Ravenna City Hall

08/25/2026

Congratulations to Buffalo County Community Partners, recipient of the Excellence in Economic Impact Award, Outstanding Organization of the Year!

For more than 30 years, BCCP has brought people and resources together to address complex community needs and improve the health, safety and well-being of Buffalo County residents. Its collaborative approach has strengthened local programs, expanded access to services and created lasting community impact.

We are proud to recognize Buffalo County Community Partners for its leadership and continued commitment to helping our region thrive.

Read more: https://blog.growbuffalocounty.com/development-council-for-buffalo-county-blog/buffalo-county-community-partners-receives-excellence-in-economic-impact-award

08/25/2026

Congratulations to Cash-Wa Distributing and the Henning family, recipients of the Excellence in Economic Impact Award, Outstanding Business of the Year!

From its roots as a family-owned business to its growth as one of the region’s leading foodservice distributors, Cash-Wa has created jobs, invested in Kearney and built a legacy of service that reaches far beyond Buffalo County.

We are proud to recognize the company’s continued commitment to its employees, customers and community.

Read more about Cash-Wa’s history and impact: https://blog.growbuffalocounty.com/development-council-for-buffalo-county-blog/cash-wa-receives-excellence-in-economic-impact-award

08/25/2026

Save the date! Big Idea Buffalo County is BACK, Thursday, October 29th at The World Theatre.

Application information will be posted soon. Start dreaming up your Big Idea now! 💡🚀

08/21/2026

Today was a great day for a ParTee to celebrate 40 years of the Development Council for Buffalo County! ⛳️

For four decades, economic development has evolved, and so have we. Lasting growth isn’t built by one project, but through years of planning, investment, and partnership.

We’re grateful to everyone who has helped strengthen our businesses, infrastructure, housing, communities, and quality of life.

Forty years ago, we tried to out-drive the competition. Today, we out-plan it.

Thank you for helping us play the long game and build a stronger Buffalo County. Here’s to the next 40 years! 🎉

Stay tuned next week as we spotlight our Economic Impact Award winners. 👀

08/17/2026

The Development Council for Buffalo County, in partnership with the City of Kearney Nebraska Government, is seeking a qualified development partner to create new housing on approximately three acres of infill property in Kearney.

Located east of 30th Avenue, north of Railroad Avenue and south of West Lincoln Way Park, the two parcels are being offered together as one development opportunity. Proposals may include owner-occupied housing, rental housing or a combination of both.

The selection process will prioritize housing impact, public benefit and long-term value for the surrounding neighborhood.

📅 Proposals are due November 18, 2026.

View the full announcement and download the RFP packet:
https://blog.growbuffalocounty.com/development-council-for-buffalo-county-blog/development-council-and-city-seek-proposals-for-infill-housing-development

08/05/2026

Hey, we know her!

Congratulations to Amanda on being selected for the 2026–27 class of the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy!

Amanda believes access to quality early care and education is essential to thriving communities and strong local economies.

Her passion for this work is rooted in her experience as a parent, her previous career in corporate healthcare administration, and her current role as a community convener.

We're excited to bring this knowledge and advocacy back to Buffalo County.

https://firstfivenebraska.org/advocacy/pla/

𝐖𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟏 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔-𝟐𝟕 𝐍𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐚 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲! From October to March 2027, this dynamic group of leaders will build grassroots advocacy skills to help shape public conversations on policies that support the care, education and healthy development of young children.

This outstanding class represents a wide array of the public and private sectors, including early care and education, higher education, economic development and public health.

Now in its eighth year, PLA has graduated more than 200 alumni from 63 Nebraska counties. It remains our state's premier nonpartisan leadership program dedicated to building momentum for policies that champion our youngest children and their families.

Congratulations to this class—we look forward to the kickoff in October!
Meet the members of this year's PLA class: https://loom.ly/2MNYVkw