GERING -- Community, business and economic development leaders met at the Gering Civic Center today, June 24 to discuss community and economic growth. 

Gov. Jim Pillen said the 6 Regions One Nebraska approach needs an “attitudinal adjustment” that started on his campaign. He said he was talking with a resident about what is more important: his community or Nebraska. The resident said the state is more important. 

The 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative is well suited to reflect the new era of economic development. Nebraskans need to identify each region’s assets and economic resources, and develop action plans that will benefit their unique region of the state, according to information from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. 

“This is a partnership from the Governor’s Office, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, and the Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce, to work in each of the six community college regions across Nebraska to inspire some regional coordination and collaboration around different economic development purposes,” said Josie Schaefer, who is the Director for Center of Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Schaefer said she was at the conference to provide data and analytics provided by the U.S. Census bureau as well as "regional data partners."

"This is a beautiful part of the state with great assets, natural resources, cultural assets, wonderful place to be; population is fairly stable, but it hasn't grown over the past decade. There are certainly some workforce challenges, finding great job opportunities, in place across folks' lifetime, making wages to be able to afford housing and afford a great quality of life," she said. 

The workshop studied data on housing, workforce, education and community resources and trends in movement in and out of communities. 

The six regions are based on educational districts, Schaefer said. The 6 Regions One Nebraska Initiative has planned for upcoming meetings in each district.