RURAL HOUSING ROLLER COASTER
October 21, 2021
OCTOBER 2021 WEBINAR
The Executive Director of Wakefield Progressive, Inc., Megan Weaver, presented about the ups and downs of creating rural workforce housing. Weaver shared her personal experience with the Wakefield Economic Development during their housing crisis. She talked about where to get started with a housing programs, her ideas consisted of: getting rid of dilapidated properties, selling city-owned vacant lots affordably, attract contractors/developers, write grants for single-family new construction, and purchase more land for development.
The Custer Economic Development Corporation highlighted housing initiatives since 2014, noting the construction of more than 80 homes and 61 apartment units since 2013. Scotti Ross and Stuart Fox emphasized that many of these projects were made possible through Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
The November HomeNE webinar focused on rural housing initiatives in Nebraska, with a presentation from John Madsen and Jon Schmaderer highlighting successful housing development strategies in Stuart. They discussed partnerships, funding approaches, and the role of local organizations in promoting affordable housing.
Creative Methods that Spur Community Revitalization: Proactive Redevelopment of Commercial and Residential Properties in Ord, Nebraska
