As someone who was born and raised in Grand Island, this place will always be my home. Throughout the years, I have witnessed Grand Island evolve in countless ways. Today, its growth and transformation are more apparent than ever before, with multiple projects that leverage the expertise and collaboration of various entities and organizations. I am excited to be a part of that growth and transformation, alongside the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and staff.
Grand Island's progress is being propelled by two key factors: workforce development and community development. The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce is committed to supporting workforce development through numerous programs. Moreover, the Chamber is actively involved in a range of projects that focus on community development and making Grand Island a great place to call home.
The Grand Island Chamber continues to be a leading partner in initiatives like the Hall County Housing Coalition and Early Education and Childcare Coalition. Our Board understands the importance of these topics in relation to the work we are doing around workforce development. As we embark on a collaborative community campaign, Simply Grand, we must also address the hurdles we have in talent attraction and relocation – housing and childcare being two of the top barriers.
Talent attraction has been written into the strategic plan as a top initiative for the last couple of years and we continue to recognize the opportunities we have to get students career-ready and job-placed right here in our community. The Chamber supports area high schools in their effort to connect curriculum to industry, including internships, apprenticeships, and career fairs. Skills USA is a large education-centered event that we support year after year, one that allows area employees to witness first-hand the amount of talent and skill of our state’s young people. This event has found its home at Fonner Park and is an event we are proud to have in our community.
Another program we are proud to have found a home for in Grand Island is the Wayne State College Cooperative Internship Program. Work will soon begin on the redevelopment of a building in Railside which will be home to the first cohort of 15 students to come to Grand Island in the Fall of 2025. Laying out this program is no easy task but, through partnerships we’ve created, we’ve been able to provide a solid foundation for this talent pipeline – one that will benefit Grand Island businesses for years to come.
The Chamber takes an active role in community development through various projects impacting the Grand Island area. One of the significant projects that will benefit businesses and the community as a whole is the Conestoga Marketplace. As you pass by the construction site, you'll notice that the project is progressing smoothly. The reinvigoration of this area will be a major change impacting Grand Island’s ability to draw shoppers from all over central Nebraska. The Conestoga Marketplace will help reestablish Grand Island as a premiere retail destination.
Along with the revitalization of Grand Island’s retail pull, another project that will increase visitor attraction is the Grand Island Casino Resort. While the temporary casino is a great addition to Grand Island’s entertainment options, the future resort will be like nothing we’ve seen before with so many great amenities beyond the gaming floor. The Fonner Park campus is undergoing some noteworthy changes as well. Improvements are being made to the stormwater drainage system, and efforts are underway to recruit more livestock shows. Additionally, there is a possibility of constructing a new expo building to house competitive exhibits for the Nebraska State Fair. The practice track on the east side of the campus is also being renovated to provide a new concert area and racetrack.
With the recent transition of Camp Augustine from Overland Trails Council - Boy Scouts of America to the City of Grand Island, we are seeing an opportunity to further develop recreation in our community. Camp Augustine spans over one hundred acres and offers diverse recreational activities. The City of Grand Island would like to see outdoor educational programs added to the activities Camp Augustine has to offer. As plans develop for the future of Camp Augustine, we are excited to explore new ways to expand and improve this valuable resource in our community.
Although we’ve seen a great deal of advancement in just the past year, the Chamber recognizes the continual importance of advocating for policies that promote economic growth and the well-being of our community in the future. The Chamber is committed to taking an active role in local and state politics to ensure that decisions being made are informed by the needs and concerns of our partners and the broader business community.
Grand Island has a bright future to look forward to with numerous projects and programs in the works. The Grand Island Chamber will proactively continue pro-business efforts along with the development of our workforce and community. Significant change and development do not happen overnight, and great progress will be the result of ongoing cooperative efforts between the business community and the citizens of Grand Island. Do you have the initiative to make Grand Island a better place to live, work, and play?
In closing, I would like to recognize Cindy Johnson for her 20 years of service to the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce. On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce Board, both past and present, I want to say thank you for your continuous support of Grand Island and your excellent representation of the Chamber. You leave us with a legacy that will continue to enrich the lives of Grand Island residents for years to come. We wish you nothing but the best in your next chapter of life.
