Executive Director

About Waverly Economic Development Corporation

The Waverly Economic Development Corporation is a newly formed, community-focused nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting business growth, attracting new investment, and enhancing quality of life in Waverly, Nebraska. WEDC is hiring its first full-time Economic Development Director to build the organization and its programs from the ground up, emphasizing business attraction/retention, program development, and community engagement as core responsibilities.

The Economic Development Director is the primary staff person for WEDC and leads efforts to attract, retain, and grow businesses; identify and implement functional income mechanisms and sustainable funding strategies; secure grants and external resources; and promote Waverly as a thriving place to live, work, and invest. This position works closely with City of Waverly staff, elected officials, business owners, regional partners, and community members to advance projects and initiatives that foster a positive, flourishing community and a resilient local economy.

• Develop and implement a multi-year economic development work plan for WEDC with clear goals, strategies, and performance metrics. Similar director roles are often responsible for strategic plans that guide local economic development activities.
• Identify, evaluate, and help implement functional income mechanisms and sustainable funding tools (such as grants, partnerships, contracts, sponsor ships, and program revenues) to support economic development initiatives.
• Research and recommend programs, policies, and financing approaches that can generate ongoing resources for business development, community projects, and organizational sustainability.
• Proactively identify, write, and submit competitive grant applications to state, federal, and philanthropic funders to support business development, infrastructure, downtown improvements, workforce initiatives, and related priorities. Grant writing and grant management are common responsibilities for economic development directors in similar communities.
• Manage awarded grants, including compliance, reporting, budgeting, and coordination with partners.
• Develop an annual funding strategy that aligns grants, local funds, and other revenue sources to advance WEDC and community goals.
• Establish and lead a business retention and expansion (BRE) program, including regular visits to existing businesses to identify needs, opportunities, and potential risks.
• Maintain a project and prospect pipeline; respond to inquiries from businesses and developers; and coordinate available sites, buildings, incentives, and local contacts. Rural economic development positions often combine both retention and recruitment efforts.
• Support entrepreneurship and small business growth by connecting local firms to financing, technical assistance, and state/federal programs.
• Develop and implement a marketing and communications plan to promote Waverly to target audiences (e.g., small manufacturers, service businesses, logistics, remote workers, families). Many economic development director roles oversee or coordinate marketing and promotion activities for their communities.
• Oversee WEDC’s website, social media, and promotional materials; coordinate branding and messaging with the City and other partners.
• Represent WEDC at regional, state, and national conferences, trade shows, and industry events as budget allows; cultivate relationships with site selectors, commercial brokers, and state agencies.
• Serve as a primary liaison to City of Waverly staff, elected officials, the school district, business and civic groups, and regional economic development partners. Similar positions often…