In the News

PCDC investors and guests are invited to the annual meeting on Monday, March 23, at the Sun Theater and Event Venue. All PCDC investors and community elected officials are welcome to attend the event. It is an opportunity to learn about PCDC’s activities in the past year and the future direction...Continue Reading

Axios Workforce and Talent Development recently celebrated five years of service and the milestone of reaching more than 1,000 students to help them discover their unique talents and potential career paths. In the past year, Axios has expanded its services outside of the classroom to offer tutoring, professional counseling and matching...Continue Reading

The Phelps County Development Corporation (PCDC) is stepping up efforts to recruit and support home buyers by increasing its GO! HOME Program grants in 2026. The updated programs feature higher matching amounts, simplified naming, and a stronger focus on encouraging new families and workers to move to Phelps County.“PCDC has...Continue Reading

By Jeff Hofaker, PCDC Executive DirectorOur last discussion was about the definition of community development and the elements, or “hooks,” of a community to attract people and business. Now, we are shifting to economic development.  Get ready. This will be a quick, crash course in economic development. Don’t worry; there...Continue Reading

Strong schools, good mentors, and financial support can all play a part in bringing youth back to Phelps County. Josh Reed, a 2021 Holdrege High School graduate, returned to Phelps County after earning an associate’s degree in agronomy and recently put his roots down even further by purchasing his first home...Continue Reading

By Jeff Hofaker - PCDC Executive DirectorI would like to express a sincere thanks to everyone in Phelps County for making my wife, Stacey, and me feel VERY welcome and an immediate part of the community family. Over the past several months, Phelps County communities have impressed me with a...Continue Reading

With lingering low crop prices and higher input costs leaving farmers with tight profit margins, if any, new revenue streams from the DG Fuels synthetic aviation fuel plant offers hope for a more profitable future for area ag producers.The project will also create hundreds of local jobs and place Phelps...Continue Reading

The deadline to apply for the 2026 Phelps County High-Demand Jobs Scholarships is quickly approaching on February 15.The scholarships assist students who want to live and work in Phelps County in high-demand fields, including manufacturing/production, agriculture, construction and maintenance, medical, and education. Hanna Swearingen, a previous high-demand jobs scholarship winner, is...Continue Reading

Drs. Brandon and Paola Beebout have purchased Holdrege’s North Park Animal Hospital, 1625 Burlington St., from Dr. Larry Marshall. The Beebouts own and operate Beebout Veterinary Clinic in Kearney, which also includes Happy Tails Pet Lodge and the Hilltop Pet Location.Dr. Brandon Beebout, who is originally from Ainsworth, said he...Continue Reading

Christopher (Chris) Termunde is a new Extension Instructor for Phelps, Harlan, Gosper, and Furnas Counties.Before moving to Holdrege in October, Termunde served as a police officer in South Georgia.“I have always loved being a service to my community, and this position in Nebraska Extension allows me to continue that service...Continue Reading

Jessica Purcella stepped into her new role as manager of Holdrege’s Bruce Furniture store on July 7. Before joining Bruce Furniture, she worked four years at the Eagles Club and another four years at Holdrege Elementary School.Purcella grew up in Gibbon and Iowa and has also lived in Kearney. She...Continue Reading

Bailey Dahlgren, a provisionally licensed mental health counselor, has started seeing clients from her new office at South Central Area Recovery, 307 East Ave. in Holdrege.SCAR recently started two new resources – financial counseling assistance and an on-site counselor – to help those recovering from their own addiction or a...Continue Reading

Behind-the-scenes progress continues on the proposed DG Fuels synthetic aviation fuel (SAF) plant in Phelps County, with key engineering studies underway. Local residents will have an opportunity to learn more and ask questions at a second public town hall meeting scheduled for Jan. 14 at the Phelps County Ag Center. To...Continue Reading

Although Brennan Williams left Holdrege to attend college after graduating from HHS in 2017, his heart stayed in his hometown.As he pursued a degree in agricultural economics with a minor in agronomy at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the pull of his hometown and the people who shaped him remained strong...Continue Reading

Students in Bertrand High School’s culinary arts classes are learning valuable job skills as they brew delicious lattes and specialty drinks in a new school business called Viking Grind.It’s all part of a hands-on experience created by teacher Shelby Forster to help students learn business and job skills, along with...Continue Reading

Festoon lighting, a new mural, and the Midtown Sculpture Garden all added new vibrancy to downtown Holdrege in 2025. And, now in 2026, even more energy is coming to the heart of Holdrege with the addition of Central Community College’s downtown center, the new Crescent Room, and a new Iron Horse...Continue Reading

Longtime Holdrege resident Lauren Foy saw a need for accounting services in the area and decided to do something about it. In October, she opened A & L Complete Accounting Services at 118 West 11th Ave.Foy is working toward completing an associate’s degree in accounting at Central Community College in Holdrege...Continue Reading

Phelps County was glowing a little brighter this holiday season thanks to PCDC’s new GO! Sparkle program, which offered $250 matching grants to help downtown businesses enhance their exterior Christmas lighting. Five businesses, Bridal Isle and Hide-A-Way Salon in Loomis and 308 Bakery, Heritage Agency, and My Fair Lady Fashions and...Continue Reading

Sweet treats are making a comeback at 224 4th Avenue, the former home of Holdrege’s Dairy Queen.Elm Creek native and recent Hastings College graduate Whitney Bauer is opening 308 Bakery in the old DQ “barn” in January. “I’m excited to share my love for baking with the community and have a...Continue Reading

A new daycare center will open in early 2026 at the Phelps County Ag Society in the space formerly occupied by Central Community College.Kiddie Cove Family Childcare Center, owned and operated by Kendra Yanez, will provide care for up to 38 children in space on the east side of the...Continue Reading

Looking back on his decade of service to the Phelps County Development Corporation, Ron Tillery said he is most proud of the culture he has helped shape and of moving Phelps County higher on the competitive ladder of economic development success.“PCDC enjoys a cohesive, confident, and determined board of directors,...Continue Reading

As 2025 comes to a close, the Phelps County Development Corporation looks back with gratitude on a year marked by major milestones, renewed momentum, and the powerful partnerships that continue to shape our community’s future.1.    Iron Horse Business & Industry Park MilestonesOne of the year’s most significant achievements was seeing the...Continue Reading

Residents of Phelps County and surrounding communities are invited to a Community Conversation and Town Hall meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, at the Phelps County Ag Center, 1308 2nd St., Holdrege.As promised at the previous Town Hall, this event is being held to provide a project update...Continue Reading

A new leather shop is opening in Holdrege thanks to a tip from a Holdrege resident and assistance from PCDC.Ken Klein was in the process of purchasing a leather shop in Kearney when the building he was planning to rent was sold.  Klein, who lives in Eustis, told a Holdrege...Continue Reading