State of Nebraska honors Scottsbluff officials for leadership in Economic Development Certified Community program.
Innovative efforts to help employers build business in the City of Scottsbluff (pop. 14,200) have earned ongoing recognition from the State of Nebraska. On Monday, June 1st, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s (DED) Western Field Consultant Brittany Hardin honored local leaders for success as an Economic Development Certified Community (EDCC). Scottsbluff was designated as an EDCC in 2007 and received program recertifications in 2010, 2015, 2021, and 2026.
Scottsbluff is one of 36 Nebraska communities to earn EDCC status in the program, sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats and administered by DED. State officials established the EDCC program in 2005 to recognize communities for preparedness to attract new industries and grow existing businesses. As part of the certification process, qualifying communities must develop a well-defined program that actively engages their existing business community and offers a supportive environment for new economic development projects. This includes documenting available sites and buildings, developing local financing and incentive programs, and creating strategic planning for economic development.
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Over the past five years, city leaders have partnered with the State of Nebraska to assist in infrastructure and community development efforts. In 2025, the City of Scottsbluff received a $435,000 award from the Community Development Block Grant program for Downtown Revitalization (CDBG-DTR). The funding will assist in façade improvements in the downtown business district through commercial rehabilitation of private businesses. DED administers the federal CDBG program on behalf of the State of Nebraska.
City officials and voters continue to prioritize the use of local funds to assist in economic development. Nebraska’s Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act (LB840) allows cities and villages to collect local tax dollars for economic development and was enacted by Scottsbluff voters in 1998. The program was renewed during the 2024 general election, which approved the city’s LB840 program through September 2035. The program operates on approximately $1.35 million from Scottsbluff’s City Sales and Use Tax for economic development.
This year, the Scottsbluff City Council approved two significant updates to its LB840 program to build momentum for retail and childcare employers. The amendments expanded the program’s footprint to include retail businesses within the entirety of Scottsbluff’s city limits as eligible applicants. Previous program requirements limited assistance to applicants in Scottsbluff’s Business Improvement District. The program amendments also increased the maximum funding amount from $10,000 for each business to $25,000.
Additionally, the program amendments include childcare as an eligible activity for economic development support. This enables the city to offer assistance to qualifying early childhood care or education projects. The changes reflect growing efforts to increase support for Nebraska families and to encourage retention within the state’s workforce.
Local leaders say the changes are encouraging innovation and creativity among retailers and entrepreneurs, who have contributed to the city’s involvement in the EDCC program over the past 20 years.
“Scottsbluff is incredibly excited to be recertified as an Economic Development Certified Community,” said Scottsbluff Economic Development Director Sharaya DeSersa. “It shows that we are moving our community forward by supporting local businesses, and that we’re ready for new growth and opportunities.”
The city’s LB840 Citizen Review Committee and the LB840 Application Review Committee continue to focus on local and regional development efforts. The city council approved recent committee recommendations to assist a Morrill-based business, Iron Works Welding & Fabrication, with a $200,000 LB840 loan for equipment and inventory purchases.
Additional LB840 business expansion loans include $200,000 to computer repair and low voltage contractor Gardner Technologies and $750,000 to Papa Moon Vineyards, Winery and Ciderhouse. The Wyobraska Alfalfa Mill also received a $150,000 program loan. Program applicants must have a 10% monetary investment in their projects and have support from an additional financial partner.
“Our EDCC recertification reflects the hard work and partnerships happening throughout our community,” DeSersa said. “All of these efforts combined will continue to make Scottsbluff a great place to live, work, and do business.”
