Welcoming Marketers

Sometimes the best way to promote what you have is to offer to host an event.

That occurred Aug. 25-27 when Sidney hosted the Nebraska Economic Development Association (NEDA)'s annual meeting.

NEDA is an association of professional economic developers dedicated to the prosperous growth of Nebraska's business climate. It's purpose is to foster economic development in the state, encourage the advancement of the expertise of its members, foster cooperation among economic development professionals and to afford professional economic developers a vehicle for assembly and collective expression, according to the organization's website.

The three-day event included a guided tour of downtown Sidney and its history, tours of local businesses, golf at Hillside Golf Course, followed by dinner at the Sidney Elks Lodge.

During Wednesday's meeting at the Elks Lodge, NEDA PresidentBrian Vasa addressed the crowd. He credited former Sidney Economic Development Director Melissa Norgard for bringing the meeting to Sidney. The application was made in 2019 for the 2020 event. Then in early 2020, the coronavirus was announced and the meeting was reformatted as a virtual event. With restrictions relaxed, NEDA returned to in-person meeting and held the event in Sidney.

“It's just a godsend that we're able to be here,” Vasa said.

He said COVID is not over, but we're getting to the other side.

He added meeting in person is how marketing and economic development flourishes.

“What we really love to do, is network,” he said.

Following Vasa's opening, Sidney Mayor Roger Gallaway gave a welcoming address.

“We are super excited to have you here,” he said. “You'll find Sidney is very resilient.”

He referenced the history of Sidney, of the highs and lows since the community's beginning, from an Army base in the 1860s to the establishment of Cabela's and then its sale.

“That was extremely hard,” Gallaway said regarding the Cabela's sale, “but nobody hung their head.”

He said the real estate market reflected the challenges, and the return of the interest in the community.

“We went from more than 300 homes on the market, to today we have less than 26,” he said. “Believe it or not, we have a housing shortage.”

He talked about the Elks Lodge renovation project and its history as a focal point for the community. Prior to the Elks, the location had the city offices, jail cells, a theater and basketball court, as well as a kitchen and downstairs meeting rooms.

He said the plan is to return the attraction of the building. Gallaway then presented Vasa with a ceremonial Key to the City.

The event wrapped up Friday with a discussion on “Community Colleges: Addressing Workforce Challenges and Driving the Economy.”