NGage - Gage Area Growth Enterprise

Community Pride: An Essential Ingredient for Economic Development In this article, an "adamant urbanist" details his travels back to his rural hometown in Canada, where he witnesses "something endearingly positive about [his] home town...a profound energy that [he] can only describe as “community pride”. What can "city folk" learn from small towns, like those in Gage County? 1. Civic engagement plays a fundamental role in community success 2. Community pride is important - and it's self-perpetuating 3. Global forces can be harsh, but we can react deliberately and positively

|| FROM THE NGAGE FALL NEWSLETTER || ▪On Tuesday, Nebraska voters will decide if businesses in the state will be required to offer paid sick leave to their employees. Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA) lobbyists and other experts are expecting this legislation to pass and become law on October 1, 2025. Key provisions of this legislation would include: one hour of paid sick leave per every 30 hours worked, with specific rules for both large and small employers and the accrual and carry over of sick time. For employers that provide paid leave sufficient to meet the requirements of the Act that may be used for the same conditions as paid sick time, they will not be required to provide additional paid sick time. ▪Bottom line: This legislation has not passed, but is a petitioned issue that will be on the ballot in November and is expected to be voted in as law. Employers will need to review and/or update their sick leave policies. || Not on our newsletter emailing list? Sign up! || https://lnkd.in/dVaJi9PV

|| FROM THE NGAGE FALL NEWSLETTER || ▪In an effort to expand overtime protections for lower-paid salary workers, and under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the U.S. Department of Labor will increase the standard salary level and the highly compensated employee total compensation threshold on July 1, 2024, January 1, 2025, and every three years after. Key provisions of the final rule include: expanding overtime protections to lower-paid salary workers, giving more workers pay or valuable time back with their family, and providing for regular updates to ensure predictability. ▪Bottom line: Standard salary levels will increase from $844/week ($43,888/year) to $1,128/week ($58,656/year) and highly compensated employee total annual compensation threshold will increase from $132,964/year (at least $844/week) to $151,164/year ($1,128/year). ▪More information here: https://lnkd.in/ewX_UY-C. || Not on our newsletter emailing list? Sign up! || https://lnkd.in/dVaJi9PV

|| FROM THE NGAGE FALL NEWSLETTER || ▪️ Minimum wage in Nebraska to increase on January 1, 2025. ▪️ The details: Minimum wage will increase on January 1, 2025 to $13.50 per hour. This wage will be in effect through December 31, 2025 and will jump to $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2026. We encourage all businesses who don't already have a plan in place to enact these changes to make one sooner rather than later. ▪️ Bottom line: Minimum wage increase to $13.50/hr on 01/01/25. || Not on our newsletter emailing list? Sign up! || https://lnkd.in/dVaJi9PV

"For many cities and towns, the Main Street is not just a road; it's a hub for their residents with clusters of businesses, services and restaurants that center their community. Beatrice, NE, is reclaiming their Main Street by rerouting a state highway to create more activity for local businesses and outdoor space in the heart of the community."

We love partnering and collaborating with other economic developers throughout Nebraska to grow our respective areas! This week, representatives from Southeast Nebraska communities, including NGage, attended the World Bio Markets & Bio Innovations Midwest conference in Omaha and 6 Regions, One Nebraska, an joint initiative of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and backed by Governor Jim Pillen.

Today, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry held their annual Economic Development Summit, which centered around the theme of growth. NGage Executive Director, Rachel Kreikemeier, heard from industry leaders on topics like leveraging the power of community for economic success, the true cost of quality care, and charting a path forward for Nebraska's economic success. Events such as these are wonderful opportunities to network with other communities, create new connections with industry and thought leaders, and bring big ideas back to our own communities.

NGage works consistently to sustain and grow the regional economy and quality of life in Gage County, NE. Learn more about what we can do for you and your business today! https://lnkd.in/e_wWWyAJ ‘For more #NGageNews, click here. https://bit.ly/3jqW5Kr

Plan your visit to the Homestead National Historic Park website and get ready to step into Gage County’s harsh prairie past. https://lnkd.in/eHQaA-UM ‘For more #NGageNews, click here. https://bit.ly/3jqW5Kr #EconomicDevelopment’

Gage County has several projects listed in the 2025 Surface Transportation Program Book that NDOT released, including a sealing project on U.S. 77 scheduled for 2025. https://rebrand.ly/kfo6zap For more #NGageNews, click here. https://rebrand.ly/6zir2wy #EconomicDevelopment