null Skip to main content.
Phelps County Development Corporation Logo
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin
  • X-twitter
  • Youtube
    • Site Selectors
      • Available Properties
      • Iron Horse Industrial Park
      • Location Advantages
      • Target Industries
      • County Profile
      • Community Profiles
      • Major Employers
      • Workforce & Talent
      • Market Research
      • Incentives
      • Why Nebraska?
    • Business Services
      • GO! Programs
      • Workforce Development
      • High Demand Job Scholarships
      • Business Education
      • PCDC Builders Bureau
      • Retail Opportunities
    • Phelps County
      • Why Phelps
      • Relocation Assistance
        • GO! Home Programs
        • Quality of Life
        • Community Guide
        • Community Resources
        • Community Profile: Snapshot
        • Local Media
        • Why Nebraska
      • Workforce & Careers
        • Start your Career
      • Community Guide
      • DG Fuels
    • About PCDC
      • PCDC Strategic Plan
      • PCDC Board of Directors
      • PCDC Professional Staff
      • Contact
      • Accomplishments & Reports
        • Economic Indicators
      • Partners
    • In the News
      • Phelps County Business Journal
      • GO! Newsletter
      • Video/Audio Gallery
      • Sign Up for Updates
    Phelps County, NE In the News
    1. Home
    2. In The News
    3. Reeling In The Big Fish
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Email
    • Print
    Reeling in the Big Fish main photo

    Reeling in the Big Fish

    December 17, 2014

    With the task of recruiting a new business or industry growing more competitive each year, how can Phelps County successfully “reel in a big fish?”

     

    Like fishing, industry recruitment involves persistence and the right location. But, “snagging the catch of the day” in economic development also involves teamwork, collaboration and flexibility.

     

    PCDC Executive Director Monica Boyken describes herself as a “dog with a bone,” when it comes to never giving up and being persistent in industry and business recruitment.

     

    Monica and the PCDC board understand that economic development requires never giving up.

     

    Although it took years to come to fruition, persistence and patience paid off when the PCDC team finally secured 134 acres of land west of Holdrege earlier this year. This location opened many new possibilities for business recruitment.

     

    A general rule in economic development is that location matters.

     

    “The business & industry park’s location alongside a short-line rail provides us with a competitive location advantage,” Monica said. “Furthermore, in conversations with a natural gas expert, I’ve found that our location between two major natural gas pipelines provides us another competitive advantage. While Nebraska is already known for its lower utility rates, NPPD, our power supplier, has beefed up its competitiveness with an electricity cost reduction plan that can be used as an incentive for our recruits.”

     

    It is important to understand Phelps County’s assets and realize that no location is perfect. The location that best matches the client’s need is going to win the prize.

     

    A successful catch will also require teamwork among elected officials, business leaders and economic developers. Local governments need to have in place rules and regulations that encourage business expansion and make it easy and quick for a new company to build and do business.

     

    “Being a smaller community, it SHOULD be easier for us to rip apart old red tape and make local agreements that speed along the authorization processes,” she said.

     

    Click the link at the end of this story to learn about 10 key truths of economic development that helped Nevada “reel in” a billion dollar company.

     

    “This kind of project is a far cry from the size and scope of prospect Phelps County can anticipate wooing in the future,” Monica said. “We ARE realistic. The article, though, points out some areas where we might one day be able to make ourselves competitive.”

     

    https://adyvoltedge.wordpress.com/2014/11/24/as-i-see-it-the-truths-of-economic-development-today/

    Fast Fact Photo
    1. Title

    Phelps County Communities

    1. Title
    Fast Fact Photo
    2. Atlanta

    Atlanta

    2. Atlanta
    Fast Fact Photo
    3. Bertrand

    Bertrand

    3. Bertrand
    Fast Fact Photo
    4. Funk

    Funk

    4. Funk
    Fast Fact Photo
    5. Holdrege

    Holdrege

    5. Holdrege
    Fast Fact Photo
    6. Loomis

    Loomis

    6. Loomis

    #phelpshelps

    Contact Us Today!

    Phelps County Development Corporation Icon Nebraska Economic Certified Community
    Phelps County Development Corporation 502 East Avenue P.O. Box 522 Holdrege, NE 68949Phone: (308) 995-4148 pcdc@phelpscountyne.com
  • Contact Us
  • Private
  • Site Map
  • © 2025 Phelps County Development Corporation. All rights reserved. Economic Development Websites by Golden Shovel Agency.
    Add to Report
    View Custom Report
    Sign Up to Receive News & Updates! Click to go to news and updates