(From left): Mary Berlie, president of the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation and Chamber of Commerce; Grand Island City Council Member Jack Sheard; Hall County Board of Commissioners Chairman Ron Peterson; Grand Island Public Schools Superintendent Matt Fisher; Brad Mellema, executive director of the Grand Island Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Melissa DeLaet, chief executive officer of the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation spoke at the State of the City event Jan. 22. (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – Six Grand Island community leaders talked about the city’s bright future at the 10th annual State of the City event Jan. 22 at Venues at 1607 S. Locust St.
Mary Berlie, president of the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation and Chamber of Commerce; Grand Island City Council Member Jack Sheard; Hall County Board of Commissioners Chairman Ron Peterson; Grand Island Public Schools Superintendent Matt Fisher; Brad Mellema, executive director of the Grand Island Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Melissa DeLaet, chief executive officer of the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation spoke at the event, which was from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Jan. 22.
A common theme among the six speakers was Grand Island’s future, for example with Grand Island Public Schools Superintendent Matt Fisher talking about the school district having a plan for what will occur in the next 50 years.
Mary Berlie said that businesses, government, and nonprofits bridge the community.
She noted that alternative energy and value-added agriculture are top priorities. She described how animal waste, high heat, pressure, and other elements produce methane gas, which leads to natural gas and carbon dioxide to be marketed.
She said that LB840 programs are important to the community. It refers to the Local Option Municipal Development Act, a 1991 law allowing Nebraska cities to create local economic development programs funded by local taxes to attract businesses, create jobs, and improve infrastructure.
She noted the importance of childcare and mentioned the YWCA’s Child Care program, which is expanding.
The Grand Island Community Kitchen received a $20,000 grant. It allowed people who were operating their businesses out of their homes to go to a commercial kitchen. People participated in a 6-week workshop, and participants received $2,000 each to upgrade their infrastructure.
She said that the Big Idea Grand Island event and Shark Tank were two important events.
She talked about the Wayne State University Career Scholars Program, which is designed to have graduates settle in Grand Island. In 2025-2026, there were 11 participants. In 2026-2027, there are 15 participants. In 2027-2028, there will be 40 participants.
“Growth doesn’t happen by accident,” Berlie said.
City Council Member Jack Sheard said that this is the most exciting time in Grand Island’s history. He noted that the city’s tax-asking has remained the same for the last seven years. He noted developments in the community including Prairie Commons, Conestoga Marketplace, and the Good Life District.
In looking at Target in Grand Island, Sheard pointed out that there are license plates on vehicles in the parking lot from numerous locations in the state. He said that Woodsonia Real Estate worked with the city to make it possible to have Target open a location in Grand Island.
Woodsonia Real Estate developed a plan for the Good Life District, which Sheard described as not perfect. He credited City Council President Ryan O’Neill for working with Woodsonia to refine its plan, which is a $600 million investment in the community.
Sheard mentioned that Camp Augustine will be included in the development of the ninth state park in Nebraska. He noted that numerous people worked together to make the project happen.
Sheard said that the community can support EPIC Discovery Center to help it reach its fund-raising goal.
He said that Grand Island is the largest community in the country without a four-year college. He said that Central Community College should not be taken for granted and said that it is not just a school for a welding program. It offers programs ranging from business to nursing. College Park is available to provide for the last two years of a four-year college program.
Sheard said it is exciting to see new energy from people in the community.
“We all need to welcome it,” he said.
Programs such as Top 35 Under 35 and Leadership Tomorrow are helping develop young leaders.
Sheard said that it is important to have Grand Island graduates return to the community to work.
“I don’t have all the solutions,” Sheard said. “We together do have all the solutions.”
Ron Peterson, chairman of the Hall County Board of Commissioners, first talked about the addition to the Hall County Courthouse. Basement footings have been completed. He said that “steel” will begin going up in the next seven to 10 days. He noted that the courthouse was completed in 1904. He showed an illustration of the entrance to the courthouse addition, which will be east of the courthouse. Offices for the county court clerk and district court clerk will be located close to that location.
Peterson said that the county faces a challenge in recruiting staffing for law enforcement and the justice system. The county needs competitive salaries for those positions, which do not pay as well as city positions or Nebraska State Patrol positions.
In the justice system, the county attorney’s office and public defender’s office have been understaffed. He showed a map of the state of Nebraska and its counties, showing the number of attorneys per county.
Peterson said he will not be filing for re-election to the Hall County Board of Commissioners. He noted that he will be turning 79 years old. He encouraged people to consider serving the community, noting to consider it as public service, not a political activity.
He said he has learned a lot about what is going on in the community. He has been involved in groups including the Central District Health Department Board, Senior Citizens Industries, Mid-Nebraska Individual Services, the Economic Development Corporation advisory board, Grand Island Public Schools’ Key Communicators group, and Grow Grand Island.
Grand Island Public Schools Superintendent Matt Fisher said that the school district is working on a 10-15-50-year plan for what schools will look like in the community in those years from now.
He said that Grand Island’s population is approximately 53,000 people. The city and Economic Development Corporation did a study. Grand Island’s growth in the next 25 years could reach an increase of anywhere between 7,000 people and 20,000 people.
He talked about the school district’s elementary schools, middle schools, and high school. The largest elementary schools have approximately 400 students. He said that the school district will be looking to add a new elementary school in the next 10 years. He said that an additional middle school will likely be needed.
He said the biggest question is whether the school district needs to add another high school. Fisher showed a chart indicating that Grand Island’s current population is 53,151 people. 2050 population with a 38 percent increase would be 73,196. 2050 population with a 25 percent increase would be 66,635 people.
He described the school district’s bond situation. A bond was passed 10 years ago, and it will be paid off in 15 years. Within the next 50 years, Fisher estimated that there would be two to three opportunities to pass a bond issue.
He estimated that the cost of a new “Greenfield Elementary School” west of Highway 281 would be $32 million now and could end up costing $35 million to $40 million. He said when Westridge Middle School was constructed, it had the potential for expansion. The expansion cost would be $22.8 million.
Fisher said that Grand Island Senior High School is 70 years old, and that the life expectancy of a high school is 100 years. An expansion to Grand Island Senior High School would cost an estimated $11.9 million. He said that Islander Annex currently serves 100-plus students. To further develop the building, it would cost $40.5 million. He asked whether that plan would be right. He said that the Career Pathways Institute could be expanded. He estimated that it would cost $103.9 million to construct a new high school for 1,000 students. A new high school with a swimming pool would cost $133.5 million. It should be noted that a new Aquatics Center including a swimming pool that could host competitions is being planned for the Veteran’s Village Good Life District project. He said that the costs for future additions of elementary schools, middle schools, and the high school are significant. He said that input from the community is needed to help the school district create plans for future schools.
Brad Mellema is executive director of the Grand Island Convention and Visitors Bureau. He asked for people outside of Grand Island, what do they picture when Grand Island is mentioned.
“That is our city’s brand,” Mellema said. “City branding is a reputation.”
He said that people need to consider whether people are shaping the city’s brand or whether people are “letting it happen to us.”
He asked people what they think of when Fonner Park is mentioned. Examples are horse racing, the State Fair, and the casino.
Mellema noted that 600 entries were submitted to name a new professional football team coming to Grand Island. Half of those entries mentioned Sandhill Cranes. The name chosen was “Siege,” and it includes a group of cranes. He said that a summer collegiate baseball team will use Ryder Park, and the team’s name is “Fighting Cranes.”
Mellema said that Stuhr Museum is bringing back the Wings Over the Platte event.
He said that Grand Island is the ag show capital. Events such as the Nebraska State Fair, Husker Harvest Days, and livestock shows are examples of ag features. The Raising Nebraska building is a showcase for agriculture.
He gave examples of events that are occurring in Grand Island, such as Cornhusker Chaos and a demolition derby. He described livestock shows as Grand Island’s College World Series.
Mellema said he traveled to Lincoln concerning LB720, which would allow out-of-state tattoo and piercing artists to work at licensed events for short periods. An “Ink the Island” tattoo event is being planned for the fall. He noted that a local business owner helped promote the idea.
He mentioned the play where the University of Indiana football team was facing a fourth-and-5 yards to go situation, and how Fernando Mendoza completed a play to make that happen.
Mellema said that he wants to see “Nebraska’s Island” moving forward.
Melissa DeLaet is executive director of the Grand Island Area Community Foundation. She said that the organization promotes philanthropy in Grand Island and helps provide civic infrastructure. She said that communities are built by people.
DeLaet said that the Foundation serves as a steward by having a savings account, as a connector by linking donors to projects, and as a catalyst to help people develop ideas.
She gave examples of local development at Stolley Park, the Young Philanthropists group, and EPIC Discovery Center.
DeLaet said that $2 million was raised in the most recent Go Big Give fund drive, topping results that occurred in Hastings and Kearney. She mentioned some of the Foundation’s accomplishments, including 1,033 grants, 1,521 donations, 168 scholarships, and 18 new funds.
She said that the Foundation is involved in Vision 2030. It focuses on enhanced quality of life for young people, partnerships to support the community, and an inclusive culture. She described Vision 2030 as a “guiding star.” She said that the Foundation is “For Today, For Tomorrow, For Good” and is investing in the future of Grand Island.
Next, a period occurred for the community leaders to answer questions from the audience.
City Council Member Jack Sheard was asked whether the city was at risk of losing livestock shows. He said that GILCA was losing money putting on those shows, and that $500,000 was needed to invest in keeping the shows coming to Grand Island.
Mary Berlie was asked whether lower cost housing was being developed in Grand Island. She said that between 2019 and 2024, 1,500 new homes were needed in Grand Island. A variety of prices of those homes was being considered.
“One size doesn’t fit all,” she said. She said that the Economic Development Corporation was communicating with local developers about housing needs.
Superintendent Matt Fisher was asked about what the school district did with job shadowing and what the plans were for the former Stolley Park Elementary School building. Fisher said that the school district provides a number of job shadowing experiences, including internships and partnerships with businesses. He said at the former Seedling Mile Elementary School building, some programming is being offered there. Local law enforcement is using the building for training purposes, and the school district uses the building for storage.
Brad Mellema was asked how Grand Island Tourism will promote the Good Life District. He described the project as transformational and something that will attract people to Grand Island and the state. He noted that a planned Sports Complex would draw people to the community. He noted that Grand Island Tourism had a sports marketing director. Hotels and event space are included in Good Life District plans.
Ron Peterson was asked about county involvement in highway infrastructure. He said that those projects are state and federally funded. The county is responsible for investing in roads in the county.
It was asked how Grand Island could recruit young people. Jack Sheard mentioned programs such as the Young Professionals and Top 35 Under 35 promote development of Grand Island. He said that the community is not Lincoln or Omaha.
“We’re Grand Island,” he said. He said that the community needed to grow its own young people to stay in the community.
Mary Berlie said that young people will be attracted to the community because of its lifestyle. Quality of life issues are important. Developments such as the EPIC Discovery Center are important.
