PCDC Ramps Up Efforts to Attract Next Generation Workforce

The Phelps County Development Corporation is expanding its efforts to connect local employers with the next generation of workers, stepping up its presence at career fairs and building new strategies to recruit talent to the area.

Executive Director Jeff Hofaker said the renewed focus comes in response to a consistent message he has heard since arriving in Phelps County.

“This need has been expressed to me throughout the last six months via direct interactions with business owners and managers,” Hofaker said. “While larger businesses also need help, the needs are more vital for the smaller to mid-size businesses, which have a need for more employees, but cannot actively recruit to fill their open positions or market the advantages of their business and the community to graduating college students due to time restrictions.”

As part of those efforts, PCDC recently participated in the South Central Nebraska Career Fair, a regional career fair that brought together multiple high schools. The event highlighted job openings in Phelps County, a range of career pathways, and apprenticeship opportunities available to students after graduation.

PCDC also organized a panel of young adults who returned to the area for careers or to start businesses, offering students a firsthand look at what it’s like to build a future in Phelps County. Hofaker said the panel was designed to make local opportunities more relatable and tangible for students considering their next steps.

“Workforce recruitment is a key component of business growth and is a fundamental activity needed for strong economic development and stability,” he said. “While we’ve been assisting in this area for several years, we’re now stepping up our efforts in a more intentional and expanded way.”

Looking ahead, PCDC plans to broaden its reach beyond local events. While many spring career fairs at colleges and universities have already taken place, PCDC is preparing to launch a more robust presence beginning in the fall of 2026.

That includes attending and engaging with students at institutions across the state, such as the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, as well as community colleges like Central Community College and Mid-Plains Community College. Additional outreach is planned at Concordia University in Nebraska, Bryan College of Health Sciences, and Western Nebraska Community College.

PCDC is also looking beyond state lines, targeting Kansas schools such as Fort Hays State University, Beloit Tech, and Colby Community College, where Hofaker said there is growing interest in opportunities in Nebraska.

PCDC also plans to deepen its engagement locally by working more closely with schools and nonprofit partners to connect with younger students earlier.

“We want our youth to know that they have and always will be part of the Phelps County family,” Hofaker said. “We hope to spread the information about the opportunities in multiple fields of study and learning that can be found in Phelps County, now and in the future.”

In addition to promoting existing job openings, PCDC is also highlighting the county’s entrepreneurial environment, encouraging students and young professionals to consider starting their own businesses.

Through expanded outreach, partnerships and a stronger presence at recruitment events, Hofaker said the goal is clear: to attract and retain the workforce needed to support long-term economic growth.

“We’re working to ensure the continued success of our businesses and communities,” he said. “That means bringing people here, helping them see the possibilities, and showing them that Phelps County is one of the best places to work, live, play and shine.”