MEDC works to adapt to changing work environment

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Economic Development Corp. is working to position the community to attract workers who are now able to take their job with them.

While that includes working from home, it may also mean an office allowing them to avoid the distractions that come with working from home.

In his quarterly report to the county commissioners Monday, Executive Director Andy Long said a co-work space offering cubicles, office equipment and software was being created on the fourth floor of the Keystone Business Center.

He said the building has over 90% capacity and was cash-flow positive last year. The top floor has been leased as an art space, and it would be prohibitively expensive to install utilities to make construction of apartments on the fourth floor, as was originally planned. That space might find future use as office space, he said.

"The pandemics and riots have made businesses and individual rethink where they want to live and work, and we believe it is a great opportunity to recruit remote workers and individuals to fill skills that have been difficult to find for local employers," he said in a written report to the board.

Other highlights:

-- Over the past two years, the MEDC has partnered with local banks to provide gap financing to transition and start up six businesses to create or retain 22 jobs. Working with Mid-Plains Community College and the Hormel Entrepreneurship Competition, which recently resulted, he said, with the 2019 winner, Saltwater Hills shrimp farm recently selling its first batch of shrimp to the 2017 winner, Citta Deli. The program has provided business plan writing instruction for 42 businesses so far.

-- MEDC is working with Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corp. to help seven McCook individuals with a total of $87,000 in down payment assistance, and is working on a second grant program to build new houses on open infill lots. The latest new build is planned for West 9th and Q, Long said.

-- The MEDC has received proposals from several telecommunication companies to provide fiberoptic internet service to the home throughout the community.

-- The Jump Start program has helped create or retain about 60 childcare spots in the community, helping businesses retain or attract working parents.

-- As a result of the pandemic, the MEDC has helped Nebraska become the No. 1 state per capita in Paycheck Protection Program loans

-- The MEDC has also worked with many local businesses to help improve their digital presence and eCommerce capabilities to reach the entire country from McCook.