Inside Rural Economic Development: Lisa Hurley, Executive Director at York County Development

In this episode of Distressed to Success, Brian speaks with Lisa Hurley, executive director of the York County Development Corporation. Over their 30-minute conversation, Lisa shares how a 20-year career in economic development led her to York County, Nebraska, where she now juggles everything from housing and talent recruitment to small-business support and industrial expansion. Lisa explains the nuts and bolts of building an effective EDO-securing three to five years of funding for salary and program costs, commissioning a strategic plan, setting up forgivable-loan or revolving-loan funds, and committing to ongoing marketing. She also highlights the importance of structuring as a public–private nonprofit to maintain community trust, while nurturing close ties with elected officials. Brian and Lisa then dive into two marquee projects. First, Klute, originally a one-building, forty-employee electric-pole manufacturer, which, with York County Development Corporation’s help in securing low-interest revolving loans and state site-development grants, has grown to over 200 employees and multiple automated facilities. Next, the York Regional Workforce Development Center, a long-held vision to unite high-school career-academy students and adult learners under one roof. Supported by Southeast Community College and local school districts, the 20,000-square-foot center will deliver CNA, MedTech, welding and automation training right in York County, accelerating workforce pipelines in both healthcare and advanced manufacturing. Throughout the episode, Lisa stresses persistence (“don’t give up”) and the value of collaboration, from local coffee-shop chats to national conferences hosted by the Nebraska Economic Developers Association, the National Rural Economic Developers Association, and the International Economic Development Council. She encourages would-be community developers to start small, sprucing up a window display, organizing a park clean-up, and to plug into regional and state networks. By sharing real-world tools, funding strategies, and relationship-building insights, Lisa Hurley offers a practical playbook for turning blighted areas from distressed to successful. Timestamps 1. Lisa Hurley’s Background & Role at York County Development Corporation – 01:06 2. Setting Up an Economic Development Organization: Research, Funding & Structure – 04:24 3. Funding & Program Tools for Community Development (Strategic Plans, Revolving Loan Funds, Technical Assistance) – 06:23 4. Success Stories: Klute Manufacturing Growth & York Regional Workforce Development Center – 12:18 5. Professional Networks & Conferences for Economic Developers (NREDA, IEDC, State Associations) – 29:39 Get in touch with Lisa Lisa’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-hurley York County’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/york-coun... York County’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YorkCountyDevelop... Website: https://www.yorkdevco.com/ Additional Resources Mentioned NREDA membership: https://www.nreda.org/membership-join Get in touch with Brian Last Best Partners' Website: https://www.lastbestpartners.com/ Brian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-seidenst... Podcast LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/distresse... Subscribe to follow the show!