> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://strategicpioneer.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Pioneer Brief: Pillen orders unified economic-development strategy - URL: https://strategicpioneer.com/pioneer-brief-pillen-orders-unified-economic-development-strategy/ - Published: 2026-09-30T14:00:58.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-30T14:00:57.000Z - Author: Corey Stutte, Ph.D. - Tags: Pioneer Brief, Nebraska Economic development and campaign politics define the day: Gov. Jim Pillen ordered a unified statewide growth strategy, President Donald Trump scheduled a Grand Island rally, and the Omaha City Council made two consequential redevelopment decisions. ## Pillen orders unified statewide economic-development strategy ### Executive order creates a working group to align recruitment, site selection and regional development Gov. Jim Pillen signed Executive Order 26-22 on Tuesday at the Governor's Summit in Kearney, creating the Governor's Economic Growth Working Group chaired by Department of Economic Development Director Maureen Larsen. The group, which includes the Nebraska Chamber, the Omaha and Lincoln chambers, the Nebraska Economic Developers Association and leaders from all six regions, must deliver an initial framework by Dec. 31 and a multi-year plan by June 30, 2027. **Why it matters:** The order centralizes recruitment, site-selection and trade-mission planning under DED, the agency whose shrinking workforce and employee survey drew scrutiny last week, making execution capacity a practical question. Read the full story: [Office of Gov. Jim Pillen](https://governor.nebraska.gov/gov-pillen-signs-executive-order-establishing-coordinated-statewide-economic-strategy?ref=strategicpioneer.com) ## Trump to rally in Grand Island for Ricketts ### The Oct. 5 event is part of a multi-state midterm swing through Republican-leaning states President Donald Trump will hold a rally in Grand Island on Monday, Oct. 5, to support Sen. Pete Ricketts, the Nebraska Examiner reported, citing a Nebraska Republican Party official. KETV reported that Hall County commissioners confirmed the event at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center, which will also support Gov. Jim Pillen, with doors opening at 2:30 p.m. and Trump expected to speak at 6 p.m. **Why it matters:** The visit brings a national campaign presence to Nebraska's Senate race between Ricketts and independent Dan Osborn, as well as the governor's race, in the final weeks before Nov. 3. Read the full story: [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/09/29/trump-is-coming-to-nebraska-to-campaign-for-sen-pete-ricketts/?ref=strategicpioneer.com) ## Update: Omaha council delays Center Mall blight vote to December ### The council gave the Department of Veterans Affairs time to explore its interest in the property Update: The Omaha City Council voted 5-2 Tuesday to delay a hearing and vote on designating the Center Mall property near 42nd and Center streets as blighted, moving it from Oct. 6 to Dec. 15 after the Department of Veterans Affairs expressed interest in the site. Council members Brinker Harding and Don Rowe opposed the delay; an attorney for Lockwood Development said its buyer remains under contract. **Why it matters:** The delay pauses a redevelopment designation tied to future public financing tools, while a federal agency's interest without a formal letter of intent leaves the private sale's timeline uncertain. Read the full story: [KETV](https://www.ketv.com/article/department-of-veterans-affairs-center-mall-update-omaha-city-council/73949056?ref=strategicpioneer.com) ## Update: Omaha approves Vinton Street silos redevelopment agreement ### Demolition could begin within nine months, with apartment construction planned for 2027 Update: The Omaha City Council on Tuesday approved the redevelopment agreement for the long-vacant Vinton Street grain silos near Hanscom Park, following its June approval of more than $10 million in tax-increment financing. Developer Spencer Goldenberg told 3 News Now the silos could come down within nine months, with construction of more than 200 apartments planned to begin in the first half of 2027. **Why it matters:** The approval moves a publicly supported housing project from planning toward demolition, adding rental supply in South Omaha while committing tax-increment financing to a multi-year private development. Read the full story: [3 News Now](https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/vinton-street-silos-agreement-approved-sept-29-2026?ref=strategicpioneer.com) ## Closed Nebraska schools are becoming housing ### Projects in Beatrice, Hastings and Ogallala combine tax credits, TIF and state housing funds Former school buildings in Beatrice, Hastings and Ogallala are being converted into housing, the Nebraska Examiner reported, led by Beatrice's $6.4 million Stoddard Place, which opened last week with 25 senior units at about 80% of new-construction cost per unit. Hastings' 1917-era middle school is slated for 68 apartments at about $15 million, while Ogallala's $16 million Schoolhouse Apartments project won about $9 million in tax credits. **Why it matters:** The projects show how low-income housing tax credits, TIF and state workforce-housing funds are being combined to reuse closed schools as Nebraska communities confront housing shortages. Read the full story: [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/09/29/former-nebraska-school-buildings-help-change-affordable-housing-equation/?ref=strategicpioneer.com) ## Around Nebraska - [Update: At the Governor's Summit, state officials said Gov. Jim Pillen's 90-day diesel-tax order excludes interstates, that the revenue loss is still unknown, and that it will reduce a cash fund rather than add to the budget deficit.](https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/pillen-talks-logistics-of-putting-the-brakes-on-diesel-tax/?ref=strategicpioneer.com) ## Watch Next - [Oct. 5, 6 p.m. CT: President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at a rally at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center in Grand Island, with doors opening at 2:30 p.m.](https://www.ketv.com/article/donald-trump-nebraska-rally-ricketts-pillen/73943596?ref=strategicpioneer.com) - [Oct. 5: The Hallam Village Board is scheduled to vote on Monolith's proposed special-use permit for a 35-megawatt data center.](https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/hallam-planning-commission-recommends-approval-for-monolith-data-center/?ref=strategicpioneer.com) - [Dec. 15: The Omaha City Council is scheduled to hold its delayed hearing and vote on the Center Mall redevelopment designation.](https://www.ketv.com/article/department-of-veterans-affairs-center-mall-update-omaha-city-council/73949056?ref=strategicpioneer.com) - [Dec. 31: The Governor's Economic Growth Working Group must submit its initial strategic framework to Gov. Jim Pillen.](https://governor.nebraska.gov/gov-pillen-signs-executive-order-establishing-coordinated-statewide-economic-strategy?ref=strategicpioneer.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f6/1a/f61a9fd0-eef9-4ea5-a670-c808e4fd8507/content/images/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-11-at-7.10.13---AM.png) ## Legislative Intelligence Track Nebraska legislation, monitor bill movement, and understand what matters for your organization. [Search Bills](https://strategicpioneer.com/legislature/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f6/1a/f61a9fd0-eef9-4ea5-a670-c808e4fd8507/content/images/2026/08/Rotunda_Nebraska_State_Capitol_2025e-1.jpg) ## Sign up for the Pioneer Brief What Nebraska's most influential people read. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ## Better intelligence. Stronger strategy. Earlier action. 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