Downtown Momentum Builds With CCC, Theater & Gallery

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 Art District gallery at First State Bank. 

“For a community our size, these developments are incredibly meaningful,” said PCDC Executive Director Jeff Hofaker. “A college, a movie theater, and an art gallery don’t just beautify our downtown, they stimulate investment, support local businesses, and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.” 

PCDC GO! BUSINESS grants have sparked many of the downtown improvements by providing grants for signs, façade improvements, downtown living spaces and festoon lighting and murals. Private investment and generous local donors have also spurred many of the improvements. 

Central Community College

Central Community College’s Holdrege center moved from the Phelps County Ag Center to downtown Holdrege in mid-December, and the first students will arrive in early January. The college is filling the former Great Western Bank space that has sat empty for years. “This will have an impact on downtown Holdrege,” Holdrege CCC Regional Director Diana Watson said.

“We’ll bring both local and out-of-town students to a formerly unoccupied building. We’re also looking forward to expanded opportunities for collaboration
with other organizations and businesses.”

Crescent Room

The Crescent Room will open in late January or early February inside the Holdrege Sun Theater and Event Venue. The new, smaller and more intimate theater will feature movies that have been out a week or two to free up space for the larger theater to showcase new releases. It will also create more room for the theater to host parties and community events.

It is named in honor of Holdrege’s original Crescent Theater (1915–1924). 

“The Crescent Room was created to give our community a fresh, mid-size event option in a central, easy-to-access location,” said Jaimee Anderson, Director of Operations for Adjacent Properties. “From meetings and trainings to birthday parties and graduations, we want to be the space people think of first. We blended modern amenities with touches of the original Crescent Theater to create a unique, stylish setting that can comfortably host approximately 80 to 100 guests.”

Iron Horse Arts Gallery at First State Bank 

On Dec. 11, First State Bank announced its donation of an office and its basement community room to house an Iron Horse Arts District director office and gallery.

The arts district, which was certified by the Nebraska Arts Council in January 2024, has been hosting pop-up art galleries featuring area artists each
month at various locations in downtown Holdrege. The arts district also spearheaded the creation of “The Mailbox” mural, festoon lighting, a photography contest and downtown events, such as the Iron Horse Festival and Haunted Holdrege historical walking tour.

“We are incredibly grateful to First State Bank for believing in our mission and investing in the creative future of Holdrege,” Iron Horse Arts District Executive Director Cassie Ehrenberg said. “Having a physical home allows us to deepen our impact, create more visibility for local artists, and anchor arts activity right in the heart of our community.”

After some minor renovations, the gallery is expected to open in the spring of 2026.

From the PCDC Business Journal, Winter 2026