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September
2014
Issue 1
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Save the Date

 HCED Annual Dinner

 

Sunday, November 16th

 

O'Neill Community Center

 

Celebrating 10 Years of HomeTown Leadership Institute

 

 Economic Indicators

Holt County Taxable Sales:

May '14: $11,110,682

May '13: $10,917,221

Increase of 1.8%

 

Atkinson Taxable Sales:

May '14: $1,993,546

May '13: $2,021,646

Decrease of 1.4%

 

O'Neill Taxable Sales:

May '14: $7,551,834

May '13: $7,431,628

Increase of 1.6%

 

National Unemployment:

June '14-6.3%
June '13-7.8%

 

Nebraska Unemployment:

June '14-3.7%
June '13-4.3% 

 

Holt County Unemployment:

June '14-2.7%
June '13-2.8% 

 

Lodging Tax Remitted to Holt County:

June '14: $12,296.11
June '13: $14,939.91

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A Past & A Current HLI Participant

Ashley Hipke is a unique HomeTown Leadership Institute participant. Not only is she in the current class, but she also was in Class I! Ten years ago, Ashley took the class as a sophomore in high school, but when her employer, Tri-County Bank in Stuart, encouraged their employees to take the class - she decided to take it again since it had been awhile. Has it changed in 10 years? Yes, she says, and so has she. She said this time around it is more community-based, and this year's program has taught her to focus more on her strengths.

 

Ashley told us she thinks HLI is a great program and more people should take the class - it opens your eyes to opportunities and businesses in the communities that you may not have been aware of. One of her favorite sessions was the 'Dream' session, which was eye opening to her future goals and dreams.

 

Ashley is a great example of one of our "Live, Learn & Return" success stories. Both she and her husband, Cody, are from the Stuart area. She currently works at Tri-County Bank in Stuart as a Personal Banker. She's involved with the Stuart FFA Chapter as well as the Stuart Community Club. One of her favorite things about living and working in Holt County? The sense of community. She said no matter what, you have someone to go to whether it is family or another community member. That sense of community can be seen every day in the actions of Holt County residents - everyone bands together for the greater good of their community.

 

 
New NECC Extended Campus in O'Neill Begins Excavation


Excavation work is underway at the site of the new Northeast Community College Extended Campus in O'Neill. A capital campaign raised $3 million in order to construct and equip the 15,075 square foot facility, to be located at 507 East Highway 20. The extended campus will have state-of-the-art classrooms, high technology computers, advanced health and science labs, and an attached technical training wing that will accommodate welding, industrial, and agriculture-related courses. It will replace the use of a 76-year-old former elementary school building that Northeast has used for a number of years. The extended campus is expected to open in Fall 2015.

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Sedlacek Elected President of State Association
Nicole Sedlacek, executive director of Holt County Economic Development, has been elected president of the Nebraska Economic Developers Association at the fall conference in Columbus, Neb.

 

NEDA is an association of professional economic developers dedicated to strengthening economic development in the State of Nebraska through the education and professional development of its members.

 

Sedlacek has been a member of NEDA for 7 years, served on its board of directors for two terms and executive board for three years.

 

"Nicole is knowledgeable, energetic and passionate about economic development. She has worked on some innovative strategies to increase and improve the economic environment in Holt County," said Jim Brennan, Chairman of Holt County Economic Development. 

 

Sedlacek will serve a one-year term as president and then, as a past president, serve on the group's board again.

 

The association has approximately 350 members from urban, suburban and rural economic development groups across the state.  Members also come from public utilities and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

 

Holt County Economic Development is the economic development agency for O'Neill and the surrounding region.  Sedlacek focuses on expanding existing businesses and attracting new businesses to Holt County.

 

As president of NEDA, Sedlacek will have a significant role in dealing with legislative issues important to economic development in the state and in arranging the group's educational conference and training seminars for its members.  The conference agenda includes topics ranging from public policy to member training on the use of business incentives and other development tools.

 

Being president will add more duties to Sedlacek's already-busy workload but she is eager for the challenge.  "I look forward to a rewarding year as president of this important Nebraska economic development organization.  Great things are happening here-new businesses are deciding to locate in Nebraska and existing companies are expanding.  This is an exciting time for growth in our state and I'm thrilled to be a part of it," she said.


Inside the Mind of an Entrepreneur

 

Entrepreneurs play a critical role in economic growth and development. One of the most important contributions entrepreneurs make is creating prosperity - for themselves, their companies, their employees, and their cities. They create prosperity by using their talents to turn an idea into a customer. 

Gallup has studied great entrepreneurs to understand how they start, sustain, and grow successful companies. This research helped Gallup define the 10 talents of highly successful entrepreneurs.   The traits will be discussed in a book by Gallup chairman Jim Clifton and consultant Sangeeta Bharadwaj Badal called Entrepreneurial Strengthsfinder, scheduled for release later this month.

Wondering if you have what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur? Here are the traits. Do they match your own?

1. Business Focus: They base decisions on the potential to turn a profit.

2. Confidence: They know themselves well and can read others.

3. Creative Thinker: They know how to turn an existing product or idea into something even better.

4. Delegator: They don't try to do it all.

5. Determination: They battle their way through difficult obstacles.

6. Independent: They will do whatever it takes to succeed in the business.

7. Knowledge-Seeker: They constantly hunt down information that will help them keep the business growing.

8. Promoter: They do the best job as spokesperson for the business.

9. Relationship-Builder: They have high social intelligence and an ability to build relationships that aid their firm's growth.

10. Risk-Taker: They have good instincts when it comes to managing high-risk situations.

HCED Executive Director Nicole Sedlacek is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach and is excited to be able to offer this coaching service to Holt County entrepreneurs. If you're wanting to learn more or to take the online entrepreneurial assessment contact the HCED Office at (402) 336-1504 or email [email protected]

Thank You To Our Partners  
 
Holt County Economic Development

Historic Depot Building
429 South 4th Street 

 O'Neill, NE 68763

 (402) 336-1504

 

HCED is an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation.