GFDC Welcomes New Team Member and Highlights Housing Development Funds

Are you a developer, contractor, or homeowner looking to build a new home or renovate an existing one in Fremont? Are you finding it difficult to secure all the financing needed to move your project forward?

Whether it is for rehabbing homes, building new housing, or reimagining vacant downtown spaces, the Greater Fremont Development Council (GFDC) has partnered with community stakeholders to provide gap financing for projects across Fremont and Dodge County. Together, these revolving loan funds total $4.3 million dollars in managed resources, all intended to support the creation and rehabilitation of quality, attainable housing in our area.

Three Housing Funds Working for Fremont

To help address local housing needs, GFDC and its partners have established three dedicated funds that provide gap financing when traditional lending does not fully cover the cost of a project. Each fund is designed to support housing development by making it easier to move projects from concept to completion.

Fremont Home Fund

Thanks to $503,000 of generous contributions from area businesses and nonprofits as well as a $1,000,000 award from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development's 2022 Rural Workforce Housing Program, the Fremont Home Fund (FHF) was created.

Structured as a low interest revolving loan program, the goals of the Fremont Home Fund include:

• Concentration on rehabilitation of dilapidated housing units within Fremont. 
• Attention to the potential for owner-occupied infill lots throughout Fremont city limits, adding housing where previous homes existed. 
• Reactivation of upper-story downtown Fremont by converting into loft and apartment units. 
• Creative partnerships with the Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together Platte Valley East provide support and capacity where they are unable to receive by other means.

Here We Grow Homes Fund

The Here We Grow Homes Fund (HWGH) provides gap financing for housing projects in the Fremont and Inglewood area. This program supports both developers and homeowners who are working on new construction, repairs, or demolition projects but cannot fully finance them through personal resources and traditional lenders.

At this time, Here We Grow Homes Fund dollars have been fully allocated. As additional funding becomes available, a new round will be announced.

Dodge County Investment Fund

The Dodge County Investment Fund (DCIF) supports workforce housing development throughout Dodge County by providing gap financing to both developers and homebuyers. This fund helps make projects financially feasible by covering the portion of project costs that cannot be met through traditional lending or private investment alone.

DCIF can assist with: 

• New construction of workforce-oriented housing including single family homes, duplexes, and multifamily units 
• Acquisition of land or property needed to advance a workforce housing project 
• Financing gaps for homebuyers purchasing workforce housing who need support beyond conventional lender capacity 
• Project completion costs to ensure viable housing projects can be finalized without delay

DCIF currently has funds available, making it an active and accessible option for those working to expand workforce housing opportunities across Dodge County.

Together, these three funds help ensure that a greater variety of housing options can be built or restored, strengthening neighborhoods and supporting community growth throughout Fremont and Dodge County.

Your Contact for Fremont Housing Development Funds

GFDC is pleased to introduce Ryan Kephart, who has joined the organization as Director of Community Development and Grants Administration. In this role, Ryan oversees all GFDC housing development funds and grant programs, helping advance projects that improve housing availability and enhance quality of life in Dodge County.

About Ryan

Ryan comes to GFDC from the National Park Service, where he served in several positions including Park Ranger and later Grants Officer supporting Arkansas, Indiana, Minnesota, and Oklahoma. His experience in community partnerships, project management, and grant administration provides a strong foundation for the work he will lead at GFDC.

When asked what motivated him to join GFDC, Ryan shared, “I am excited at the opportunity to work with people on the ground affecting real change. These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. These are people’s homes and livelihoods.”

Originally from Duluth, Minnesota, Ryan moved to Nebraska in 2014 to pursue his master’s degree at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. He has since lived in Lincoln and Omaha and now resides in Valley with his wife, Karen, and their two dogs, Winnie and Tilly. While family initially brought him to the Platte River Valley, it is the friendships and community connections he has built that make it home today.

Get Connected with Fremont Housing Fund Support

If you are interested in learning more about any of GFDC’s housing development funds or if you are unsure which program might best fit your project, Ryan Kephart is your primary contact. He can answer questions, review project concepts, provide guidance on eligibility, and help identify the most suitable funding path forward.

Ryan Kephart 
Director of Community Development and Grant Administration 
rkephart@fremontecodev.org 
(402) 753-8126 ext. 3

Coming Soon SPARK Academy

In addition to advancing housing efforts, GFDC is excited to help bring SPARK Developer Academy to the region in 2026. SPARK Developer Academy is a hands-on entrepreneurship and business development program designed to help residents turn ideas into successful and sustainable businesses through training, mentorship, and practical support.

More information about SPARK Developer Academy, including registration details and timing, will be shared as we move closer to 2026. Community members are encouraged to watch for updates as this opportunity takes shape in the Fremont area.