Rural Workforce Housing Fund Project Groundbreaking in Fremont, NE Features Governor Ricketts, Local Leaders, Developers

Picture (Left to Right): City of Fremont – Mayor Getzschman, GFDC – Garry Clark, GFDC – Barb Pierce, Fremont Beef Company – Les Leech, City of Scribner – Kathy Lodl, Governor Ricketts, Lincoln Premium Poultry – Jessica Kolterman
First National Bank – Barry Benson, Fremont Area Community Foundation – Melissa Diers, Fremont Contract Carriers – Tim McCormick

Fremont, NE – November 1, 2018  Governor Pete Ricketts attended a groundbreaking ceremony in Fremont, NE on Thursday, November 1st at 10am.  This project is the first recipient of Greater Fremont Development Council’s (GFDC) Dodge County Investment Fund (DCIF).  The project, titled Morningside Crossing, consists of a 300 unit 1 and 2 bedroom apartment complex, 108 of which are planned for the first phase.  The Dodge County Investment Fund was created to help spur Workforce Housing in Dodge County.  The fund had matching local contributions totally $1.03 million as well as the $850,000 grant from the State of Nebraska.

The groundbreaking was held on the future site of Morningside Crossing, located near the intersection of Hwy 275 and Morningside Road.  The site will include a walking trail, dog park, and other amenities as well as commercial development.

The event was emceed by GFDC Executive Director, Garry Clark and speakers included Governor Pete Ricketts, City of Fremont Mayor Scott Getzschman, Dodge County Supervisor, Bob Missel, and one of the developer partners, Spencer Lombardo.

”The timeliness of Governor Ricketts and the State Legislature’s LB 518 Rural Workforce Housing Fund Bill, served as a direct catalyst for the creation of the Dodge County Investment Fund.  We are excited to welcome this first project of what we hope to be many more throughout Fremont and other Dodge County communities.” says Clark.  Local donors were City of Fremont, Lincoln Premium Poultry, Fremont Beef Company, Fremont Contract Carriers, First National Bank, and the Fremont Area Community Foundation.  The City of Scribner also donated to the fund.

“To have so many local and area contributors is a testament to the ability of Fremont to mobilize, organize and collaborate on projects like workforce housing which has long been a need,” states Clark.

The most recent housing study showed that with expected growth there is a need for at least 1500 units in Dodge County.

Bill Vobejda stated, “As chair of the Board of Directors of GFDC, I am pleased with the immediate results and potential opportunities provided by this new development and the Rural Workforce Housing Fund. GFDC believes that the creation of the Dodge County Investment Fund is a key economic development tool as it helps compliment the growth and stability of the Dodge County/Fremont Region.”

About the Rural Workforce Housing Project/Program

LB 518 established the Rural Workforce Housing Fund (RWHF), which provides matching grants to non-profit development organizations to reduce the cost of workforce housing in Nebraska's rural communities.

About the Developer

Con Muilenburg, Ben Muilenburg and Spencer Lombardo make up the development team for Morningside Crossing. They have done projects throughout the Midwest.

About Dodge County Investment Fund

With Businesses in Dodge County and Fremont expanding, there has been an increased need for workforce housing in Dodge County. The need for housing to remedy the current and future growth propelled the Greater Fremont Development Council (GFDC) into creating the Dodge County Investment Fund (DCIF), in an effort to help tackle the recent county housing study’s recommendation to create 1500 units to keep pace with growth in Dodge County. The timeliness of Governor Ricketts and the State Legislature’s LB 518 Rural Workforce Housing Fund Bill, served as a direct catalyst for the creation of the Dodge County Investment Fund. To date: GFDC has raised $1.03 million dollars to match a DED grant of $850,000 dollars from the Rural Workforce Housing Fund.

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. In 2018 GFDC created the Dodge County Investment Fund (DCIF) to better serve the housing needs of the Dodge County region.

GFDC is a partner with Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership through the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce since 2013.

CONTACT

Garry Clark, Executive Director
Greater Fremont Development Council
402-380-7196/402-753-8126
garry.clark@fremontecodev.org