06. DEVELOP WESTERN NEBRASKA

Nebraskans who are not from the eastern edge of the state, and deeply rooted in a love for the land, life and traditions of the West, are delighted to see resources directed toward developing places other than the big cities. Many have decried for a long time the “great vacuum” of wealth and opportunity toward the metropolitan areas. Kearney is the alternative in the middle that bridges the gap and pushes the resources “closer to home.”

Kearney continues its steady growth. With the increases in population and economic output also comes advances in intellectual, social and cultural activities, which benefit a roughly 200 mile radius. The momentum is strong and there is no stopping Kearney’s growth. A new Newman Center facility in Kearney is just one more way to further push development toward the western half of the state.   

The Newman Center in Kearney is already serving students not only from UNK but also the growing number of UNMC health profession students in Kearney as well as students at the Kearney campus of Central Community College (CCC). These students come from dots all over the map of Nebraska, but especially the western half.