HASTINGS, Neb. – Hastings is this year’s Nebraska Showcase Community for the second time since 2017, since this annual award was created in the year 2000.

City and state officials and leaders gathered at Hastings College's Morrison-Reeves Science Center building Monday morning to receive the award from Gov. Jim Pillen.

Only one Nebraska community is chosen per year to receive this prestigious award, given out by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED).

According to the DED, Hastings earned the Showcase Community award by distinguishing itself through achievements to enhance local quality of life and encouraging economic growth.

DED Director K.C. Belitz, cited several ongoing projects in the city as the deciding factor in the award.

"Hastings is a great example of downtown revitalization, and some of the extraordinary industrial development that's here, and the housing," said Belitz. "Really a breath of fresh of accomplishments in this last year, which certainly earned Hastings the recognition as Showcase Community for this year."

Dozens of Hastings leaders that deal with either development, housing, or industrial sectors attended Monday’s ceremony.

With too many people to thank individually, Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shannon Landauer made sure to thank everyone, whose name may slip under the radar otherwise.

"It's a little bit overwhelming when you wake up every day and you get to represent this community, and do work to improve the lives of people that you'll maybe never meet," said Landauer. "They'll never know that, but you don't need the 'thank you,' but all of you were so willing to do that, and you're all very much appreciated." 

During the ceremony, Gov. Pillen also proclaimed April as Community Development Month in Nebraska, and hopes the presentation of this award, and his proclamation will help spark other communities across the state to join the movement of growing their communities.

"I want to make sure people walk away feeling great about the role they play, and the difference they make in the community," said Pillen. "And that other communities can say 'If they can do it in Hastings, we can do it in our home as well."

Applications for the annual Showcase Community award are open year-round, and any Nebraska community, big or small, can nominate themself for this award on the Nebraska DED website.