PCDC Prepares for Prosperity Project II

PCDC volunteers and staff are gearing up for a $1.1 million campaign this fall with continued behind-the-scenes work, including refining the strategic plan based on public and investor input, identifying key campaign leaders and investors and developing communication pieces and branding.

As new Executive Director Ron Tillery begins his work in Phelps County, the board is working closely with him to set the direction and generate resources to spark growth and development in the next five years.

PCDC is drawing near the end of its current five-year strategic plan for 2012-2016. The plan, which was funded through LB840 sales tax funds and the first Prosperity Project campaign, has resulted in many benefits for Phelps County including:

• The purchase of the 134-acre Iron Horse Business & Industry Park to provide space for new or expanding businesses;
• Gap-financing loans to several area businesses for expansion projects, including Allmand Bros. and the Dale Loft Apartments;
• Financial backing for the Holdrege downtown improvement project along with façade improvement grants to businesses in Holdrege, Loomis and Bertrand; and
• Scholarships for 33 Phelps County students to fund their education for high-demand jobs in Phelps County. Along with that, PCDC has worked to educate students about future career possibilities in Phelps County and the benefits of returning to their hometowns after graduation.

Now, PCDC is looking ahead to goals and funding for the next five years. Part of the funding will come from the recently approved LB840 sales tax funds, and the other portion will come from private investors through the Prosperity Project II campaign.

Tillery has worked with a volunteer Refinement Task Force (Fred Diedrichsen, Reed McClymont, Terry Buskirk, Tom Carlson, Michele High and others) to polish and finalize the five-year goals and strategies for 2017-2021, which are explained in depth in the Prosperity Project II Prospectus approved by the PCDC Board in early July.

Another committee will work with Tillery to prepare a list of potential investors to the campaign.

Tillery’s past work in broadcast journalism and economic development have been beneficial as he has carefully crafted a Prosperity Project II logo and is preparing communication and branding strategies for the campaign.

Dave Madigan with Convergent Non-Profit Solutions has been working full-time on the campaign and has been living in Phelps County since June to guide the process.

Madigan has been reviewing comments from stakeholder and investor interviews earlier this year and is preparing presentation strategies by investment level.