ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LEADERSHIP

The goal of this program is to inspire and support entrepreneurs and business owners in establishing new businesses in Pawnee City, Nebraska, fostering job creation, growth, and renewed enthusiasm within the community.

Is My Business Eligible? 

Must be based in Pawnee City, Nebraska

Must create new jobs in Pawnee City, Nebraska

Priority will be given based on industry need

How Much Funding is Available?

A maximum of $50,000 with a max of five years to pay back the funds

Funding is available as funds permit and may vary from year to year

How to Apply

Submit the Loan Application, documents requested, and any questions to [email protected].

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Apply Here

Whether you're planning to start a business, maintain, or grow your existing business, we have the tools you need to thrive in Pawnee City, Nebraska.

Technical & Financial Resources

Bank of Steinauer

The State Bank of Table Rock

Union Bank & Trust

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Center for Rural Affairs

Rural Prosperity Nebraska

GROW Nebraska

imagiNE Nebraska

Business Development Resources

Invest Nebraska

Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act (LB840)

Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise Tax Credit Act

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

Nebraska Business Development Centers

Source Link Nebraska

Nebraska Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO)

Nebraska Enterprise Fund (NEF)

Southeast Community College Entrepreneurship Center

Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD)

Southeast Nebraska Community Action (SENCA)

USDA Rural Development

Nebraska Arts Council

The Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) provides loans and financing assistance through revolving loan funds supported by USDA Rural Development and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). According to SENDD’s website, the goal of these funds is to support startup or existing small businesses that are unable to secure sufficient conventional financing, as well as to help attract new businesses to the region.

The ImagiNE Nebraska Revolving Loan Fund (INRLF) is another funding source to monitor. These loans are administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and are intended to support infrastructure development and workforce training. Applications are not currently being accepted.

Youth Programs

• Brave Bites
  • Delivers snacks daily.
• Kindness Crew
  • Writes and delivers handwritten notes to staff weekly.
• Pawnee Puzzler
  • Strengthens public speaking skills by announcing trivia facts over the intercom daily.
• Indian Impact
  • Host monthly staff recognition events, such as drink and snack deliveries from local businesses and recognition of staff member of month through nominations by students and other staff.
• Tribe of Service
  • A heavily community service focused group organizing and completing service activities in the Pawnee City community, such as gathering meals to distribute for holidays to local families in need.
• Pawnee Power
  • Promotes extracurricular activities available through the school and the importance of being involved.

• Junior Chamber of Commerce
• Includes student representatives who engage with local business leaders monthly at the Pawnee City Chamber of Commerce Board meetings.

• Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
  • This challenge offers business pitch competitions and incubator-style challenges for juniors. In 2025, this program was launched for Juniors to present their personal strengths and career goals. They were encouraged to wear career appropriate attire, practice mock interviews with a local business owner, then present “Shark Tank” style for established professionals around the area. This event was followed by a luncheon for students to network with the attending professionals. 

Arts, Culture & Media

• One Act Play Productions
• Students participate in theater performances, enhancing teamwork and communication skills.
• Yearbook Club
• Covers school and community events, promoting media literacy and storytelling.
• Living History Day
• Involves students in preserving and presenting local history through the Pawnee City Historical Society and Museum.

Community Service & Volunteering

Community Services Hours (20 Hours Required for Students)

View details here about required hours. 

• Pawnee City (PC) Pride Committee
  • Recognizes those who put effort into beautifying our community and making it welcoming to everyone.
• Pawnee City Public Library
  • Help organize books and other miscellaneous tasks.
  • Contact [email protected]
• Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC)
• Engages youth in team-based service experiences that build life and work skills.
• Southeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership (SENCA)
• Collaborates with student leadership teams for food drives and other community services.
• Meals on Wheels delivery drivers.
• Safe Haven Animal Rescue Effort (S.H.A.R.E.)
• S.H.A.R.E. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization that is formed by volunteers focused on the welfare of ALL animals.

Sports & Recreation Leadership

• Youth-Led Sports Clinics
• Older students mentor younger athletes in skill development and teamwork.

Additional Opportunities

• Volunteer Nebraska
• Connects young people with positive adult mentors and promotes volunteerism.
• Nebraska 4-H
• Offers hands-on learning experiences and helps youth build confidence and practical life skills.
• Nebraska Empowered Youth Leadership Camp (NEYC)
• Prepares youth for life after high school through leadership development.

Future Farmers of America (FFA)

Nebraska FFA is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

View the Parents Guide to Pawnee City, Nebraska FFA here.

Pawnee City also has several boards that local community members can join to showcase their skillset in a meaningful way. Those groups include: Pawnee City Chamber of Commerce, Pawnee City Development Corporation, Pawnee City Community Foundation, Pawnee City Agricultural Society, and more.

Looking to get involved in the Pawnee City, Nebraska community? View many available opportunities here or contact our Director of Economic Development and Marketing, Jessica Colo, for more information at 402.926.8809 or [email protected].

The Pawnee City TeamMates Chapter was started in 2016. The chapter has 14 active mentor/mentee matches, and more students are waiting for a mentor. 

The mission of the TeamMates Mentoring Program is to impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential. TeamMates serves close to 8,000 youth in more than 150 communities across Nebraska, Wyoming, Kansas and Iowa. Mentors meet with their mentees one-on-one in school, once a week, during the academic year.

Mentees can be nominated one of three ways. They can be nominated by a parent, a school staff member, or self-nomination. Mentors are not tutors, counselors, nor are they there to “fix” anything— they’re there to be friends. Mentors are matched with mentees based on interests and life experiences.

TeamMates at Pawnee City allows students to discover strengths through mentoring. Mentees and mentors hang out together. Many matches play games, put puzzles together, walk around the track on nice days, or just talk during an activity. 

One of the goals of TeamMates is for the relationship to go from school-based mentoring to a forever friend after graduation. 

For more information about the program contact: 

Program Coordinator Julie Pierce at [email protected] or teammates.org

Interested in developing your leadership skills and representing Pawnee City, Nebraska? Apply here for the next Leadership Nebraska class!

Leadership NE Alumni:

Class XIII | Jessica Colo | 402.926.8809 | [email protected]

Pawnee City, Nebraska earned their Leadership Certified Community (LCC) status in 2026.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development offers an LCC program to provide a solid framework for communities to identify capacity, stimulate focused planning, and utilize technology to build strong foundations and to meet the challenges of the future. Learn more about becoming a Leadership Certified Community.