2024 Fall Issue of Urban Land - 98

town offers access to the Sandhills natural
area and water recreation activities on
the Loup River, and it has a cost of living
that is 23 percent lower than the national
average.
However, like many small agricultural
communities, Ord experienced population
decline and an exodus of young workers
in recent decades. Its solution was organizing
an economic development plan
that would breathe new life into the town
by focusing on support for entrepreneurship.
The
city partnered with Valley County
and the Ord Chamber of Commerce to
create an economic development office
that provides mentorship, loans, incentives,
and grant information. Local public
schools also invested in promoting entrepreneurship
through the creation of business,
finance, and marketing classes, and
by partnering with the SynoVation Valley
Leadership Academy to teach leadership,
community involvement, and entrepreneurial
skills to young people.
In addition, Ord established a community
endowment fund managed by the
Nebraska Community Foundation. Grants
are provided by the Valley County Economic
Development Board and are based
on the mission of the programs.
Moreover, Nebraska offers economic
development programs for local business
support, such as the Microenterprise
Tax Credit, Rural Enterprise Assistance
Programs, and the Nebraska Advantage
incentive package. These strategies have
resulted in significant investments from
public, private, and nonprofit organizations
since 2000.
Ord's transformation meant attracting
diverse, regional participation. By expanding
its regional outreach, it created more
opportunities for local retail, services, and
entertainment venues. In
the process it attracted
five commercial lending
institutions, created
a more robust arts and
cultural scene, attracted
more students to its
schools and community
college, and stimulated a
healthier labor market.
Some of the outcomes
attributed to
Ord's strategy for economic
development
include a 20 percent
increase in retail sales
over a four-year period,
a 21 percent increase in
personal income, and
a new fervor among
the residents for volunteerism
and public
service.
Since it first opened a century ago, the historic Capitol
Theatre has been a beloved Art Deco fixture of
downtown Aberdeen.
98
URBAN LAND
FALL 202 4
Stevens Point,
Wisconsin:
Becoming a
technology hub
Two hours north of the
state capital Madison
lies Stevens Point, a city
of about 26,000 people
at the heart of the
Wisconsin River Valley-a blend of academia,
industry, nature, and history. Home
to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens
Point (UWSP) and Mid-State Technical
College, the city has seen significant
growth and development through the
strategic use of technology.
UWSP has become a hub for research
and innovation, particularly in environmental
scences and sustainability. By incorporating
advanced technology into its
curriculum, UWSP prepares students for
tech-driven careers, helping retain talent
within the region.
The city has created a unique environment
for startups, particularly in education,
health care, and small businesses.
In partnership with the Portage County
Business Council and the Small Business
Development Center at UWSP, the local
government is able to support mentoring,
funding, and co-working spaces.
Local businesses have embraced digital
marketing and e-commerce platforms,
allowing them to expand their sales and
services beyond the immediate community.
The establishment of tech startups
and business incubators has helped
foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem
throughout the greater community.
Of course, none of this tech expansion
would have been possible without reliable
broadband access. Stevens Point made
the commitment to install high-speed
broadband back in 2019, and today the
city offers internet speeds up to one gigabit
to 10,000 customers for cloud-based
computing, high-definition audio and
video streaming, web conferencing, and
mobile web access.
By strategically leveraging technology,
Stevens Point has enhanced its economic
development through business support,
workforce skill enhancement, improved
infrastructure, innovation, health care
improvements, and tourism promotion.
These efforts have collectively made the
city a more attractive place for businesses
and residents, driving sustained economic
growth. UL
DAN NOBLE, FAIA, is chairman and CEO of HKS, a global
design firm. Under his leadership, HKS has won numerous
awards, including from the World Architectural Festival.
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2024 Fall Issue of Urban Land

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