NEDCO Board of Directors recognizes Loren Kucera, NBDC Center Director (Wayne, NE) named the 2019 Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA) Professional of the Year in the service provider category.

The award was presented by NEDA, the largest association of economic development professionals in Nebraska at its Annual Conference in Wayne on June 13, 2019. Kucera is the Center Director at Wayne State College for the Nebraska Business Development Center. He is recognized for his accomplishments and dedicated service to economic growth in the State of Nebraska.

Loren has been active in many economic development and other professional organizations over the years. He currently serves on the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District, has served on the board of directors for the Nebraska Economic Development Corporation since 1996, and just recently completed six years, including a year as President on the Board of Directors of the Northeast Economic Development, Inc. He is also a member of the Norfolk Area Small Business Resource Team and serves as Treasurer for the Northeast Network.

In his current position with NBDC, Kucera has been involved in many notable accomplishments over the years, including the preparation of 554 business loan applications of those 554 applications, 442 for nearly $250MM creating or retaining 3,353 jobs since 1994.

Nebraska Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) President Scott Sailors noted, “The NEDA Award recognizing Loren Kucera as it’s 2019 Professional of the Year is well deserved. Loren is a consummate professional and a driving force in economic development in Nebraska. His service on the NEDCO Board of Directors for over two decades, and especially in the formative years, has been instrumental to the success of our organization. Well done Loren and congratulations.