Engage presents quarterly report, highlights workforce, housing, childcare and SMR site study for Gage County

Rachel Krakmeyer, executive director of Engage (Gage Area Growth Enterprise), delivered the organization’s fourth‑quarter report for fiscal year 2023‑24 at the Sept. 4 Gage County Board meeting.

Krakmeyer detailed staff changes (a new part‑time membership and office coordinator), housing development activity in Beatrice, Wymore and Cortland, and workforce training partnerships—specifically with Southeast Community College on welding programs intended to create educational pathways. She said Engage is working with partner organizations including the Southeast Nebraska Development District, Center for Rural Affairs and the U.S. Small Business Administration to support business recruitment and expansion.

Krakmeyer said Engage has launched the Gage County Child Care Collaborative, a new 501(c)(3) intended to transition the county’s childcare initiative from Engage to a nonprofit board of seven. The collaborative will pursue state and foundation grant funding and focus on childcare affordability and capacity.

On broader economic development, Krakmeyer noted a push toward bioeconomy projects (biofuels, bioplastics and advanced manufacturing), and said Beatrice/Gage County has been identified as one of 16 sites NPPD is studying for a potential small modular reactor (SMR). She emphasized the long lead times and infrastructure requirements for large power‑demand projects and the need to consider power, water and housing when evaluating such investments.

Board members praised Engage’s work and voted 6‑0 to place the quarterly report on file.