FEATURED NEWS
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LAKE MAC CASINO RESORT & RACETRACK OPENS IN OGALLALA
On Tuesday, August 19th 2025, the Lake Mac Casino Resort & Racetrack celebrated its grand opening with a complimentary meal catered by Ole’s, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and three thrilling quarter horse races! “This is about opening doors to opportunity, prosperity, and generational change,” said Mary Wilson, Keith County Area Development Executive Director. “We are welcoming a first-class entertainment destination and a wave of economic energy that will ripple for decades to come across local businesses, tourism, hospitality, and our agricultural base.” Learn more here. GROW NEBRASKA GRANTS
This year, 21 small businesses in Keith County and the surrounding area were awarded GROW Nebraska grants, providing them with resources to expand and strengthen their services. The funding made it possible for entrepreneurs to invest in key business needs - such as a trailer for construction business, a laptop and scissor lift for local muralist, interior construction of office space for a counselor, new fencing for a daycare, and much more. These grants not only help businesses grow, but also enhance the services and opportunities available to our local communities. NACO WEST OFFICE & TRAINING CENTER OPENS
Keith County Area Development (KCAD) played a key role in the creation of the NACO West Office & Training Center in Ogallala, NE by providing site options, facilitating the property sale, and securing the site for the new facility. We are proud to have supported such an impactful project behind the scenes, helping to ensure the success of the NACO West Office & Training Center, benefiting both Ogallala and the broader Keith County region while supporting the long-term growth of Nebraska’s counties. Learn more about NACO West here. |
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OGALLALA IS NOW A SWAN COMMUNITY
Ogallala is now a SWAN community, and we could not be more excited about this amazing accomplishment for Keith County. SWAN (Sculpture Walk Across Nebraska) is a cooperative effort between the 6 communities of Norfolk, Grand Island, Valentine, Columbus, North Platte, and now Ogallala, to provide revolving art experiences within walkable districts. We are eager for Ogallala’s inaugural year with SWAN, and can’t wait to see the 7 incredible sculptures that have been selected for the Western Trails Sculpture Walk in 2025-2026! Learn more about SWAN here. |
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ELITE CASINO RESORTS BREAK GROUND FOR THE LAKE MAC CASINO RESORT AND RACE TRACK
Elite Casino Resorts has officially broken ground for the Lake Mac Casino Resort and Race Track. The development will have a 5/8-mile racetrack with a testing and receiving barn, with a capacity for 400 stalls, a paddock viewing area, a winner’s circle, and state-of-the-art facilities to support the racing activities. The resort will include 180 hotel rooms with a pool and spa, an event center, a variety of Elite dining options, a sportsbook with simulcasting, a large-scale travel center, and an RV park. The casino floor will include 650 slot machines, 20 live tables, and a poker room. Elite Casino Resorts is a leading regional gaming operator in the Midwest and a privately-owned U.S. company known for operating premier casino resort destinations. Learn more about Elite Casino Resorts here. |
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NEW BUSINESS OPENS IN DOWNTOWN OGALLALA
Allen Capital Group just opened up their new office location in the heart of Downtown Ogallala on Spruce Street. Allen Capital Group is a distinguished Registered Investment Advisor firm with locations in Omaha, Grand Island, Scottsbluff, and Ogallala. KCAD assisted in the completion of this new office space by providing support through Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds and LB840 funds. Learn more about Allen Capital Group here. |
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WESTERN TRAILS CREATIVE DISTRICT
Keith County Area Development in partnership with the City of Ogallala, the Ogallala Regional Arts Council, Keith County Historical Society, and the Keith County Chamber of Commerce have received official certification of the Western Trails Creative District (WTCD)! Creative Districts work to help communities throughout Nebraska set goals unique to their community by planning for the future and creating a distinct sense of place with local resources in mind. Being designated can bolster a community's creative economy, enhance vitality, and improve livability. Sequentially, this can support a region's ability to grow jobs and increase educational and creative opportunities for residents and visitors. Learn more about the creative district here. |
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Exploring Career Education Locally (EXCEL) tours launched in the spring of 2017 as a way to connect local high school students with businesses in Keith County. Jr. EXCEL tours were added in 2019 to expand the program to middle school students. This career exposure will assist students in choosing a post-secondary education path, and increase the likelihood of them returning to Keith County to join the local workforce. 
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BUSINESS SUPPORT
The KCAD Revolving Loan Fund was established in 2017 to provide financial assistance to small & emerging private businesses in Keith County. More than $250,000 has been allocated to assist small businesses. KCAD has assisted with business transitions, expansions, and new business start-ups through use of Revolving Loan Funds. 
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BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION
Business Retention & Expansion - KCAD continues to exceed the annual number of BRE visits required by DED. Meeting regularly with local businesses in order to stay connected and build strong and lasting partnerships. To date, KCAD has assisted with the following projects:
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