A Decade of Direction: Tillery Reflects on Decade of Leading PCDC

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, a culture that’s critical for success in rural America,” Tillery said. “Establishing that mindset in Phelps County was only possible because of the quality of people here who devoted their time, energy and expertise to our efforts.”

Tillery moved on from his role as PCDC’s executive director at the end of 2025 after nearly a decade of service starting in 2016. Shortly after he arrived in Phelps County, Tillery created the GROW37 brand and launched PCDC’s GO! (Growing Opportunities) Programs. 

GO! HOME has helped move more than 350 people to Phelps County, contributing to the area’s first net population growth in Holdrege for several census cycles. The program also sparked nearly $30 million in real estate sales across the county while supporting employers who benefit from bringing workers closer to their jobs. The First Impression Grant program touched nearly 70 downtown buildings across the county, refreshing business districts and building pride. 

“I’m pleased with the momentum created by PCDC’s GO! Programs,” Tillery said. “Momentum is a powerful force that works like economic gravity and builds internal and external confidence in the market.” 

Looking ahead, he sees momentum turning into transformation. 

“Obviously, DG Fuels and the array of supporting businesses it generates will have a generational scale impact on our region,” Tillery said. “Ripples from this $9 billion plant investment will include a payroll that exceeds $50 million annually, which will drive increased retail sales, more real estate development, and an exponentially greater property tax valuation for the county.”

He said the greatest beneficiaries will be area farmers who will have a new market for stover, which could deliver more than $150 million per year to farmers. 

“The added income and market stability will buoy the entire regional economy,” Tillery said.   

Across Nebraska, Tillery said Phelps County is more visible than it was a decade ago and is on the radar of companies and developers searching for investment-ready communities. Tillery credits strong partnerships for much of that progress.

He hopes more people understand that PCDC isn’t just that place that has the "free money".

“A successful economic development program builds a culture that accepts growth and change,” he said. “The status quo is not a choice; things WILL change. Our job is to define and drive the change that carries our values forward and provides a strong, stable foundation to build on.”

If Phelps County citizens want their children to choose to come back home, he believes we must work to make it an attractive option. 

“Economic development is not separate or apart from the community,” he said. “This is my home, our home, and the goal is to broadly improve conditions.” 

He advises new PCDC Executive Director, Jeff Hofaker, and the PCDC staff and board going forward to “be fearless.”

“Don’t get bogged down by minority interests, but recognize the value of dissenting opinions,” he said. “Don’t take it personally.”

As he steps into his next chapter, Tillery isn’t slowing down. He has already begun working with partners to develop a new venture called NebraskaGSD (Get Stuff Done). The company will help small, under-served Nebraska towns build viable economic development programs, leveraging private investment to strengthen the state’s rural backbone.

Though his professional role at PCDC has ended, Tillery isn’t going far.

“Holdrege is my home, and I look forward to remaining involved in things that improve its quality of life,” he said.