Ord, NE: The Valley County Economic Development Board has appointed Dahn Hagge as the new HomeTown Competitiveness (HTC) Coordinator. Hagge will develop and coordinate HTC programs focused on developing local leadership, energizing entrepreneurship and business growth, engaging youth and increasing local charitable giving. Hagge’s current role as the coordinator of the Valley County Community Foundation Fund (VCCFF) will be encompassed in this new position.
Dahn Hagge, HTC Coordinator
The HomeTown Competitiveness Coordinator position is funded through a generous grant from the Sherwood Foundation and a matching funds contribution through an endowment account established for the benefit of Valley County, administered through the Nebraska Community Foundation. This expansion of human capacity building is a powerful example of the impact local charitable giving has on community development.
Caleb Pollard, Valley County Economic Development Executive Director welcomes Hagge to the team. “Dahn is a great addition to the VCED team. Her work with the Community Foundation Fund and the Fund Advisory Committee gives her a solid start in growing our local foundations. She also is passionate about the HomeTown competitiveness philosophy: building from within is the best route to long term community vitality. Dahn will help us strengthen our focus on the HTC principals.”
In 2002, Valley County was chosen as the pilot area for the HomeTown Competitiveness program by the Nebraska Community Foundation. HTC began with a simple goal of helping rural communities build upon the assets they already possessed. The founders of the program knew that rural communities already have everything they need to be successful. Ten years after its inception, the benefits of HTC can be seen across Nebraska as small communities are attracting new residents and becoming competitive in the global economy. By building local assets, HTC rekindles residents’ belief in the future of their hometown, leading them to locally driven strategies that bear promise for long-term sustainability in their communities.
“I look forward to serving the Valley County Economic Development Board and collaborating with our business community, youth and charitable organizations to expand program development and enhance our quality of life in Valley County,” said Hagge regarding her new position.
To learn more about the HomeTown Competitiveness model and the Valley County Community Foundation Fund, contact Dahn Hagge at 308-728-7875, email at dahnhagge@ordnebraska.com or go to www.ordnebraska.com/live/valley-co-community-foundation-fund or www.nebcommfound.org/programs-research/hometown-competitiveness.