NORFOLK, Neb. (KTIV/US92) -
A new initiative to help grow jobs, grow leaders and grow population numbers was officially launched by Chamber leaders in Norfolk, Nebraska Thursday morning.
Officials say "Grow Norfolk" was developed to help solve many of the big challenges that face the business community and the families of Norfolk.
Some of those challenges include population loss, need for new jobs, lack of available workforce, community image and the pending retirement of current business managers.
There are several components that will help make "Grow Norfolk" happen, including management recruiting, a newcomers program, job matching and retention efforts, entrepreneur and internship programs and a new job challenge called "Hire One Norfolk", encouraging each employer in Norfolk to create one new job.
"If each of our Chamber members just created one job, that's 650 new jobs in the Norfolk area. If we could get a fraction of that, it would be a huge win for our community and create more attraction and more pull for people who are looking to relocate or come back home to the Norfolk area," said Dennis Houston, Norfolk Chamber President.
Chamber leaders say Grow Norfolk will have a full-time director who will be focused attracting people, jobs and internships.
They hope to have that position filled within the next 30 days.
Organizers say through Grow Norfolk, they hope to bring at least 100 new people and families to the Norfolk area.
Funding for the Grow Norfolk initiative will be possible through grant funds and private donations.
During Thursday's event, Norfolk's Midwest Bank was the first business to step forward with a $25,000 donation.
