Greater Fremont Development Council Announces $1.5 Billion in 2020 Capital Investment

NEWS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Announcement made during 2021 Annual Meeting Welcomes New Board Chair, Members at 2021 Annual Meeting

Fremont, Nebraska. February 26, 2021 . The Greater Fremont Development Council held their Annual Meeting on February 24th. Held virtually, the event attracted over 50 attendees comprised of investors, community leaders and partners. Hosts Lauren Foster and Kelsey Martinez presented information regarding the organization’s accomplishments in 2020 -
including the attraction of $1.5 billion in capital investments.

In spite of challenges presented by COVID-19, the Greater Fremont Development Council secured $1.5 billion in capital investment and created over 2,000 jobs in the greater Fremont area. GFDC also surpassed their goal of reaching out to 80 businesses annually as part of their business retention programming. As a result, 289 jobs were created from local expansion projects.

GFDC also announced the results of their COVID-19 response. Wanting to support community members during COVID-19, GFDC and community partners hosted seven Grab-n-Go Food events, feeding 2,500 families. This year the Greater Fremont Development Council proved that through all obstacles -- Here We Grow.

During the Greater Fremont Development Councils Annual Meeting event, the organization welcomed new Board Chair Al Sawtelle. Al Sawtelle is a long time resident of Fremont. Al served on the Fremont Public School Board for 12 years and was president for 8 of those years. He is currently Director of the Fremont Utility and Infrastructure Board, Chairman of Keep Fremont Beautiful, and serves on the Crime Stoppers Board.

“I look forward to serving as Chairman of the Greater Fremont Development Council this next year. I believe with support from our investors, public and private partners, and GFDC leadership the Fremont and Dodge County area can excel at exceeding our “Here We Grow 2025” expectations.”

Al will be replacing past-board chair Chris Walz.

“We would like to thank our 2020 Board Chair for all of his work this last year. The GFDC would not be where it is today without him. This past year was one unlike any other, and Chris truly helped navigate the GFDC and Fremont community through some trying times. His steady leadership proved that despite all obstacles-- Here We Grow”, stated Kelsey Martinez, GFDC’s Director of Business Services.

Greater Fremont Development Council investors also welcomed incoming Vice Board Chair, Diane Mallette. Diane Mallette is Director of Human Resources and a member of the executive management team at Structural Component Systems (SCS) in Fremont. Mallette is also a co-owner of Mallette Farms. S he joined the GFDC board in 2019 and is currently a Nebraska Diplomat and member of Fremont Rotary.

“As an active economic development advocate, I am truly honored to be a part of the GFCD Board of Directors and look forward to helping Fremont prosper in the years to come.” The Greater Fremont Development Council also welcomed two new board members, Jennifer Bixby, President and Owner of Don Peterson & Associates and Matt Mueller Officer, Commercial Banking Fremont Market with FNBO.

“We are excited to welcome our new board chair, vice board chair and our new members to the Greater Fremont Development Council board. Starting off the year as a new team, Kelsey and I are energized and ready to go set the world on fire in a positive way”, said Lauren Foster GFDC’s Director of Quality of Life.

“After coming out of a challenging year, we are excited to continue on with Garry’s hard work and to prove that Fremont is the place where people and businesses thrive. In Fremont, Here We Grow!”

About the Greater Fremont Development Council

GFDC is a 501(c)6 public-private partnership that works diligently to fulfill its mission to provide leadership for Greater Fremont Area growth initiatives and aggressively pursue targeted growth opportunities that will result in quality job creation and retention.

Fremont, Nebraska, is poised for a bright economic future. Strategically located at the crossroads of major highway links to reach the downtown Omaha and Lincoln metropolitan areas in less than an hour, the community offers immediate access to big city amenities while retaining an independent rural community flavor.

Fremont invites you to explore opportunities in Fremont and Dodge County. The Greater Fremont Development Council would be happy to assist your business development efforts.

For more information, contact:

Lauren Foster, Director of Quality of Life
lauren.foster@fremontecodev.org

Kelsey Martinez, Director of Business Services
kelsey.martinez@fremontecodev.org