Helping Grow Opportunities in Phelps County

GO!

GO! BUSINESS: Help for Every Stage of Small Business

GO! BUSINESS: Help for every stage of small business. Click Here

Business & Franchise Development Program
Steps to Start Up Program
Building Exterior Impact Grant
Gap Financing Loans
Rural Enterprise Assistance Project - REAP Loans

Always start with your local banker!

Click here to see a list of our friendly local lenders

GO! Business Programs

Business & Franchise Development Program

Program
Reimbursement grant for costs of facility build-out, remodeling, equipment, initial rent or deposits up to $5,000 Grant for demolition, landfill, and permitting fees up to $1,000 government agencies Grant for initial inventory up to $1,000 Grant for digital, electronic, and online support up to $1,000 Research and site selection services in conjunction with the franchisor at no cost Low-interest gap financing not to exceed 50% of the total amount borrowed Click here for Guidelines & Application

Program

Reimbursement grant for costs of facility build-out, remodeling, equipment, initial rent or deposits up to $5,000
Grant for demolition, landfill, and permitting fees up to $1,000 government agencies
Grant for initial inventory up to $1,000
Grant for digital, electronic, and online support up to $1,000
Research and site selection services in conjunction with the franchisor at no cost
Low-interest gap financing not to exceed 50% of the total amount borrowed
Click here for Guidelines & Application

Steps to Start Up Program

Program
Low interest loans are available for clients who complete the Steps to Start Up Program through PCDC.

Building Exterior Impact Grant

Program
Up to $1,000 matching grant to improve exterior appearance and branding of buildings. Limited funds are available and may be applied to projects that are impactful within corporate boundaries of any Phelps County municipality, or in other strategically important location at the staff's discretion. Grants are for materials and professionally performed labor. Click here for Guidelines & Application

Gap Financing Loans

Program
PCDC can sometimes take the risk that a bank cannot to supplement the financing needed for a business to expand, start up or, or transition. Gap Financing is defined as the difference between the cost of a project and the combination of money available from the owner and the bank. Project cost - Owner’s Equity - Bank Financing = Gap Gap Financing Loans may be used for: Low interest short-term loans (1 – 3 years) to help existing businesses expand their customer base, inventory or to improve operations. Long-term gap financing loans to facilitate ownership transition of existing businesses. (loan percentage is subject to adjustment based on market conditions.) Funds may be used for equipment, improvements, or purchase of a business. PCDC funds will not exceed 50% of the total capital costs. Funds may not be used for working capital. To apply for a PCDC loan, click here to download an Application.

Program

PCDC can sometimes take the risk that a bank cannot to supplement the financing needed for a business to expand, start up or, or transition. Gap Financing is defined as the difference between the cost of a project and the combination of money available from the owner and the bank.

Project cost - Owner’s Equity - Bank Financing = Gap

Gap Financing Loans may be used for:

Low interest short-term loans (1 – 3 years) to help existing businesses expand their customer base, inventory or to improve operations.
Long-term gap financing loans to facilitate ownership transition of existing businesses. (loan percentage is subject to adjustment based on market conditions.)
Funds may be used for equipment, improvements, or purchase of a business.
PCDC funds will not exceed 50% of the total capital costs.
Funds may not be used for working capital.

To apply for a PCDC loan, click here to download an Application.

Rural Enterprise Assistance Project - REAP Loans

Program
Loans for small businesses are available through the Center for Rural Affairs. Contact Becky Parker, Loan Specialist - Central Region Ph: (308) 534-3508 Email: beckyp@cfra.org

GO! DREAM: Downtown Revitalization Economic Assistance Mission

First Impression & Signage Grants
Building Integrity Grant

Downtown Revitalization & Economic Assistance Mission

PCDC’s DOWNTOWN VISION: The Central Downtown Business District is a Vibrant, Visually Distinctive Destination.

GO! DREAM aims to restore and improve buildings in the downtown core especially those with historic architectural features. Recognizing the unique significance of the downtown core, the program will address both exterior facades of commercial buildings and certain interior renovations anywhere within the Central Business District. All Phelps County communities qualify for GO! DREAM funding.

GO! Dream Programs

Program
First Impression & Signage Grants	Up to $7,500	match
Building Integrity Grant	Up to $5,000	match
GO! Sparkle	Up to $250	match

Download full program details and applications here.

GO! HOME: PCDC Housing Incentives & Assistance Programs

New Resident Relocation Grant Programs:

Renter's Relocation Reimbursement Grant
Relocation Down Payment Assistance Grants

Contractors Risk Mitigation Programs:

Renovation Reimbursement Grant, Existing Rental Property
Site Improvement / Demolition Reimbursement Grant
Residential Code Compliance Grant

Need help finding a home? Contact a Local Realtor

Visit Realtor.com to view listed houses in Holdrege, Bertrand, Loomis, Funk, and Atlanta.

Are you employed in Phelps County but not a current resident? Are you a new or existing resident ready to purchase a new home? Are you interested in renovating houses? Or are you interested in building a house?

We want to help you be a part of one of our great communities. Here are PCDC's programs that can help make that happen:

GO! Home Housing Incentive Programs

New Resident Relocation Grants:

We suspended the Renter Relocation Reimbursement Grant

NEW HOUSE CONSTRUCTION DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:

Program
Down Payment Assistance Reimbursement Grant to Employer ($3 for $1 match) • Download Application	$7,500	PCDC max match
Public Employee/Self Employed Down Payment Assistance Grant (no employer match) • Download Application	$2,500	No employer match
Mobile Home Down Payment Assistance Grant to Employer ($2 for $1 match) • Download Application	$2,500	PCDC max match

EXISTING HOUSE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:

Program
Down Payment Assistance Reimbursement Grant to Employer ($2 for $1 match)	$5,000	PCDC max match
Public Employee/Self Employed Down Payment Assistance Grant (no employer match)	$2,500	No employer match

RENTERS ASSISTANCE:

Program
Renter Relocation Assistance Grant for new residents to Phelps County only	$0	Closed for 2026)

CODE COMPLIANCE / RISK MITIGATION PROGRAMS FOR DEVELOPERS:

Program
Renovation Reimbursement, Grant for contractors-developers upgrading existing rental properties (per unit)	$1,500	max match
Site Improvement, Demolition or Landfill Fees Reimbursement Grant – Housing Only	$2,500
Residential Code Compliance Grant – address deficiencies presented by outdated spaces to create new rental units in existing downtown buildings	$2,500

APPROVAL PROCESS FOR HOMEOWNERS & CONTRACTORS INCENTIVES:

Completed application that conforms to its specific guidelines must be turned in prior to closing
Internal Review to determine eligibility (typically 1 to 3 days after completed application)
Approval notification via phone or email with written confirmation to follow
Complete description of requirements included in the applications

NOTE:

Site Improvement Reimbursement Grant may be combined with any other programs.
Applicants must comply with detailed guidelines in the application.
Award of financial assistance from PCDC is not guaranteed and the award is dependent upon availability of funds.
PCDC may make changes at any time during the life of the programs.

Download full program details and applications here.

NOTE: Except for the Site Improvement / Demolition Reimbursement Grant, Applicants may only use one PCDC assistance program per address and must comply with detailed guidelines in the applications. Award of financial assistance from PCDC is not guaranteed and the award is dependent upon availability of funds. PCDC may make changes at any time during the life of the programs.

GO! WORK: Training and Retaining Workforce to Meet Local Employer Needs

GO! WORK: Training and retaining workforce to meet local employer needs. Click Here

Job Listings
High Demand Job Scholarship
Local Internships
Education

The unemployment rate in both Nebraska and Phelps County is less than half the national average.

We have work and we have jobs

All we need is YOU to join "the good life"!

Job Listings

NEworks

Chamber Member Job Postings

Holdrege Area Jobs Facebook Page

High Demand Job Scholarship

PCDC partners with the Phelps County Community Foundation offer scholarships annually for training in high demand job areas. Recipients must return to work for a Phelps County employer.

High Demand Jobs Include: Welders, Machinist, Manufacturing Technicians, Electricians, Plumbers, Masonry, Nursing, Dietary Specialists, Diesel Mechanics, CDL, and more!

To apply, or refer someone to apply, visit the Phelps County Community Foundation website or contact PCDC at (308) 995-4148 Applications are available beginning December 1st of each year.

Local Internships

Phelps Memorial Health Center

Cargill

CHS - Agri Service Center

Education

Central Community College - Holdrege Learning Center

Central Community College - Kearney Campus (35 minutes)

Central Community College - Hastings Campus (55 minutes)

University of Nebraska at Kearney (35 minutes)

GO! BUILD: Encouraging Local Development and Partnering to Make it Happen

GO! BUILD: Encouraging local development and partnering to make it happen

Permitting Assistance and Project Advocacy
Site Acquisition or Preparation Assistance
PCDC Builders Bureau

Just a few of the ways we can help with your next big project!

Permitting Assistance and Project Advocacy

Process navigation assistance and building permit acquisition.
Legal reviews and research to support project permit applications.
Building permit fees.

Site Acquisition or Preparation Assistance

Iron Horse Business & Industry Park property available at discounted rates.
Site preparation assistance available on a case-by-case basis.
Infrastructure development assistance available on a case-by-case basis.
Coordination of financial assistance programs at State of Nebraska and City level, such as Tax Increment Financing.
Deferred property payment option for PCDC owned properties.

Builders Bureau

A group of Phelps County contractors & builders who meet to facilitate communication, coordinate advocacy for building trades and pursue opportunities. View the member list by clicking HERE.

Open to all Phelps County area construction trade organizations and related service providers
- No cost to PCDC investors
- Non investors can pay a $50 annual fee to become a member
Will meet as needed, but at least twice annually.
Committee will provide input to PCDC regarding positions on legislation, ordinances and policies that impact the construction trades

Download the Sign Up Sheet Here