2024 Governor’s Ag and Economic
Development Summit

Ag Meat & Potato Tour
Wednesday, August 7
1:00pm – 5:00pm

Reception/Banquet
Wednesday, August 7
6:00pm – Reception
7:00pm – Dinner & Awards

Summit
Thursday, August 8
7:00am – 4:00pm

Bio Economy Special Session
Friday, August 9
8:00am – 12:00pm

Ag Meat & Potato Bus Tour Information

Bus sponsored by Nebraska Potato Commission
Tour guides: Steve Martin and a Potato Industry representative

  • 1:15pm – Leave Kearney, Younes Conference Center North
  • 1:30pm – Arrive at CSS Farms (Minden)
  • 1:30 – 2:30 CSS Tour
  • 2:30 – Load bus
  • 3:00 – Arrive at C Lazy B Cattle feedyard (Pleasanton)
  • 3:00 – 4:00 Feedyard Tour
  • 4:00 – Load Bus
  • 4:30 – Arrive back at Kearney, Younes Conference Center North

Conference Information

Younes Conference Center North
707 West Talmadge Street
Kearney, NE 68845

Summit Agenda:

 PDF Version

7:00 am – 8:00 am: Registration

8:00 am – 9:00 am: Welcome & Opening Remarks –
Governor Pillen and Jack Hubbard

9:15 am – 10:30 am: Breakout Session 1

Track 1 – Foundations for Growth: Housing and Childcare

Housing and childcare are universal needs across every Nebraska community. No more time to admire the problem, it’s time
to discuss innovative solutions!

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 2 – People Attraction: Priority #1 to Grow the Good Life

Nebraska’s vibrant economy is generating great jobs, but we lack people to fill them. Recruiting and retaining talent is mission
critical for the growth of our state. Learn how you can engage with strategic, targeted initiatives to attract talent to your community.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 3 – Transforming Nebraska’s Water Management to Cultivate Tomorrow’s Ag & Economic Vision

 

Moderator:
Speakers:

 

Track 4 – Nebraska's New Vision for Economic Development

The time is now to design an economic development strategy that sets Nebraska apart to take advantage of unprecedented opportunity

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 5 - Unlocking Productivity

Learn the latest on using technology and upskilling our workforce to innovate, boost efficiency and inspire investment in Nebraska manufacturing.

Moderator:
Speakers:
 

10:30 am – 10:45 am: Break

10:45 am – 12:00 am: Breakout Session 2

Track 6 – The Nebraska BioEconomy: Feeding the world, fueling the future, saving the planet

The Nebraska BioEconomy holds the potential to align Nebraska’s (and Nebraskans) strengths with everything our nation is demanding. This panel engages stakeholder perspectives for an honest conversation about the challenges and opportunities of translating potential into reality.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 7 – Supporting Local Governments in the Pursuit of Federal Discretionary Funds

The NDOT will highlight current and future projects, discuss the impact of enhanced mobility on economic development and how the Agency is working to decrease the time it takes to deliver infrastructure improvements. NDOT will also introduce and detail a new initiative to bolster the pursuit of federal discretionary funds at the state and local levels. The Nebraska Infrastructure Hub will support state and local governments in pursing federal funds with emphasis on developing projects that will have a regionally significant impact on economic development. The session will review strategies for LPAs seeking funding to assist with roads, bridges, transportation safety, etc. The Nebraska Broadband Office (NBO) will also discuss milestones and highlight upcoming opportunities for broadband across Nebraska.

Moderator:
Speakers:
 
Track 1 – Foundations for Growth: Housing and Childcare

Housing and childcare are universal needs across every Nebraska community. No more time to admire the problem, it’s time to discuss innovative solutions!

Moderator:
Speakers:
 
Track 2 – People Attraction: Priority #1 to Grow the Good Life

Nebraska’s vibrant economy is generating great jobs, but we lack people to fill them. Recruiting and retaining talent is mission critical for the growth of our state. Learn how you can engage with strategic, targeted initiatives to attract talent to your community.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 3 – Transforming Nebraska’s Water Management to Cultivate Tomorrow’s Ag & Economic Vision

 

Moderator:
Speakers:

12:00 am – 1:00 pm: Lunch & Keynote Speaker

12:00pm – 1:00pm: Lunch
12:20pm – 12:45pm: Speaker – Troy Dannen, Athletic Director, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: Breakout Session 3

Track 4 – Nebraska's New Vision for Economic Development

The time is now to design an economic development strategy that sets Nebraska apart to take advantage of unprecedented opportunity

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 5 - Unlocking Productivity

Learn the latest on using technology and upskilling our workforce to innovate, boost efficiency and inspire investment in Nebraska manufacturing.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 6 – The Nebraska BioEconomy: Feeding the world, fueling the future, saving the planet

The Nebraska BioEconomy holds the potential to align Nebraska’s (and Nebraskans) strengths with everything our nation is demanding. This panel engages stakeholder perspectives for an honest conversation about the challenges and opportunities of translating potential into reality.

Moderator:
Speakers:
Track 7 – Supporting Local Governments in the Pursuit of Federal Discretionary Funds

The NDOT will highlight current and future projects, discuss the impact of enhanced mobility on economic development and how the Agency is working to decrease the time it takes to deliver infrastructure improvements. NDOT will also introduce and detail a new initiative to bolster the pursuit of federal discretionary funds at the state and local levels. The Nebraska Infrastructure Hub will support state and local governments in pursing federal funds with emphasis on developing projects that will have a regionally significant impact on economic development. The session will review strategies for LPAs seeking funding to assist with roads, bridges, transportation safety, etc. The Nebraska Broadband Office (NBO) will also discuss milestones and highlight upcoming opportunities for broadband across Nebraska.

Moderator:
Speakers:

2:15 pm – 2:30 pm: Break

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Action Hour

Breakout discussions to create follow-up action items in the following 4 areas:

  • Track – Housing
  • Track – Childcare
  • Track – Workforce
  • Track – Bio Economy

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Closing – Governor Jim Pillen

Friday, August 9th

Nebraska BioEconomy Accelerator – “Good for Business, Good for the Planet”

8:00am – 12:00pm: Bio Economy Special Session – Julie Bushell

Nebraska BioEconomy Accelerator – “Good for Business, Good for the Planet”

From the potential to the challenges, this session is intended to start conversations and build relationships that will impact the future and launch Nebraska’s BioEconomy roadmap. Join Nebraska’s businesses, startups, stakeholders, utility managers, farmers and ranchers, water-users, researchers, policymakers, next- generation thought leaders and federal agency partners dedicated to accelerating Nebraska’s BioEconomy leadership.

Conference Information

Younes Conference Center North707 West Talmadge StreetKearney, NE 68845

Date: Thursday, August 8 | 2024
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Event Registration