In a report by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, it was revealed that Nebraska faces the challenge of being the third-highest state in the U.S. for brain drain, losing over 4,000 individuals with bachelor’s degrees or higher annually. This alarming trend occurs simultaneously with the state’s struggle to fill job vacancies across various industries.
Nebraska’s Chamber of Commerce officials have pinpointed affordable “workforce” housing and childcare as primary obstacles to job fulfillment and community growth statewide. Recognizing that factors like jobs, professional growth, amenities, affordable housing, and quality of life influence relocation decisions, there is a collective effort to address these concerns, particularly among the younger population.
Josie Schafer, director of UNO’s Center for Public Affairs Research, suggests that Nebraska can reverse the brain drain by aligning future job opportunities with an appealing lifestyle and community infrastructure for the younger generation.
In Norfolk, community collaborators are actively working together to counter the outmigration of youth. Their strategies focus on enhancing the quality of place, fostering job growth, developing new housing, and improving access to quality childcare
Placemaking:
Creating Vibrant Spaces for Connection
Recognizing the importance of creating synergies, community collaborators are concentrating on the density of place to attract young people. This strategy fosters an environment where young individuals can regularly interact, leading to overall community benefits through improved amenities and small business development
The North Fork Whitewater Park is one such amenity that will officially open in 2024. The river portion of the project includes seven whitewater drop structures including Nebraska’s first river wave. Johnson Park, which lies adjacent to the river, will also see a complete renovation that includes a fountain with winter ice skating, new play features, an amphitheater, and an enhanced trail system. The $16 million project was collaboratively funded utilizing City funds for major infrastructure components and leveraging those dollars for a number of grants from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and private foundations. The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District was an early investor in the project, jumpstarting the fundraising by providing more than $1 million toward the effort. Members of the community also came to the table in a big way bringing an additional $2 million in private donations from businesses and excited citizens.
Downtown Redevelopment:
A Flourishing Hub of Innovation
The North Fork Whitewater Park has already resulted in an adjacent, private development project with an estimated $25 million investment. The mixed-use development project, initiated by the Geary family, will include a variety of housing options, some of which have already been built and are housing Wayne State College students, as well as future phases to include commercial buildings.
Additional areas targeted for redevelopment in the downtown over the next several years include the site overlooking the whitewater park located at First Street and Norfolk Avenue. The property was acquired by the Greater Norfolk Economic Development Foundation, and the group has been working to identify a developer that will maximize the potential of the site and work to bring together the assets of the downtown with the river. Community members will also see the complete renovation of the historic Kensington property into a 64-room boutique hotel, two medical facilities with plans for expansion, and a 30-unit apartment complex currently being constructed at Fifth Street and Phillip Avenue. The community will also see Northeast Community College establish a presence downtown as it builds an innovation hub between Seventh and Eighth Street on Norfolk Avenue.
The growing momentum, combined with supportive resources for entrepreneurs and the addition of art in the form of sculptures and murals, not only sets the stage for unprecedented opportunities in Northeast Nebraska but also enriches the sense of place for community members.
Opportunities for Job Growth:
Nurturing Talent and Collaboration
Norfolk and Northeast Nebraska as a whole is setting the stage for employers to succeed by focusing on talent development while sustaining the needs of those workers as it relates to housing and childcare.
Through the Wayne State Career Scholars program, Norfolk has the opportunity to host students in their fourth year of study in the downtown district as they work for local companies. These students will graduate with a four-year degree and nearly a year of work experience in their respective programs of study. Employers will receive an opportunity to hire these students at the end of their internship
This unique program is new to Nebraska and was conceptualized through the Northeast Nebraska Growing Together initiative. Through the forward-thinking efforts of WSC leadership and professors, a curriculum was developed to provide students intensive learning during the first three years of study and allow them to engage directly with businesses in our area. By 2025, Norfolk will welcome 75 new WSC students to the community every year.
This puts Norfolk and Northeast Nebraska in a unique position. The region has ready and willing talent being positioned to help companies grow and reach their potential.
New Housing Development:
A Boom in Norfolk’s Housing Sector
Norfolk has also seen incredible growth in the housing sector over the past six years. From 2017 through 2023, the community saw 1,043 new housing units constructed. This averages to 174 new units per year. The prior 10 years saw a total of 484 new units built at an average of 48 units per year.
The unbelievable growth in the housing market has been due to a number of factors including the use of tools like tax increment financing and state programming, as well as a Mayor- and City Council- focused approach to encouraging new ideas and a welcoming attitude toward those wanting to do business in Norfolk.
Childcare Initiatives:
Supporting Families and Fostering Community
Another critical piece of the puzzle in encouraging young people to stay and raise their families in Northeast Nebraska is by ensuring there is access to quality, affordable childcare. On average, families in the Norfolk area can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $250 per child per week. This adds up fast, especially for families with multiple children when costs for childcare begin outweighing mortgage payments.
The issues in childcare are multi-faceted and will not be easily overcome. In addition to high costs for services for parents, childcare workers often receive low wages and minimal benefits, such as access to health insurance and retirement savings. Add in burnout due to the lack of available workers and the stress of caring for children and one sees how these elements have a compounding effect.
Norfolk Now Magazine: Spring Summer 2024
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