Infrastructure Inventory, Elected Leader Academy Among SE Nebraska Initiatives

Information on 6 Regions Southeast initiatives was presented Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 4 at the NE Chamber Road Show event at Auburn City Hall.
“We are challenging community leaders to look at real time data to solve issues all communities face,” related Zane Francescato, regional navigator.
The Southeast Nebraska Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Inventory is a partnership with the Southeast Nebraska Development District and Olsson. The navigator noted it is needed regionally, as many smaller municipalities are having issues raising funds to improve infrastructure. It is a foundation for a regional infrastructure investment strategy focused on advancing priority projects, strengthening the region’s competitiveness for future state and federal funding and approaching Nebraska’s federal delegation to help address needs.
The Subregional Childcare Substitute Pool is a partnership with Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise to leverage a $10,000 microgrant to support a shared childcare substitute network. It will connect Auburn, Peru, Falls City, Nebraska City and Pawnee City. The network will allow providers access to a regional pool of qualified substitute teachers as part of a statewide pilot initiative. It will assist in reducing staffing shortages, improving workforce stability and lowering costs through regional collaboration.
The Southeast Elected Leader Academy is modeled after a program in northeast Nebraska, Francescato noted. Plans are to start in January 2027. It will be an aspirational leadership training course for anyone running or considering running for elected office. Individuals will be prepared through leadership development; peer networking; and practical training in community engagement, collaboration and economic development. 
Besides Nemaha County, the Southeast region encompasses Johnson, Cass, Gage, Fillmore, Jefferson, Lancaster, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, Saunders, Seward, Thayer and York counties. A partnership with the governor’s office and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, it was created two years ago with $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.