Hastings mayor urges push for jobs, field house and redevelopment in State of the City
March 09, 2026 | Hastings City, Adams County, Nebraska
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The mayor of Hastings used his State of the City address to call for a renewed focus on economic growth, saying the next phase for the city must prioritize jobs, industry and business expansion.
"Hastings is more than buildings and streets," the mayor said, framing growth as a combination of housing, jobs and opportunity. He told the council and attendees that his "learning period" is over and "now it's time to shift from learning to action." The address highlighted recent private investments and said the city should be proactive in recruiting employers and reducing unnecessary regulation.
The mayor cited local assets that support recruitment, including Central Community College and Hastings College, rail access and affordable land. He named recent local projects and business activity — including Hartwell Renewables and announced expansions at Chief Ethanol Fuels, Bruckman Rubber and Nebraska Prime — as evidence of momentum.
On community projects, the mayor announced two development priorities: preliminary planning and a newly formed committee for a community field house intended to host tournaments and regional events, and advancing plans to convert the long-vacant old Hastings Middle School into apartments. "Projects like this represent exactly the kind of development that Hastings should support," he said, calling revitalization and reuse "real growth."
The mayor said city development organizations — the HEDC, Community Redevelopment Authority and Developmental Services Department — should be better coordinated to streamline processes for prospective investors. He characterized the objective as creating "a fair process that rewards good projects and protects the public interest."
The State of the City concluded with a call to action to recruit industry, grow jobs and expand opportunity "fairly, transparently, and with a focus on the future." The council heard the address during its regular meeting and moved on to consent and regular agenda items afterward.
"Hastings is more than buildings and streets," the mayor said, framing growth as a combination of housing, jobs and opportunity. He told the council and attendees that his "learning period" is over and "now it's time to shift from learning to action." The address highlighted recent private investments and said the city should be proactive in recruiting employers and reducing unnecessary regulation.
The mayor cited local assets that support recruitment, including Central Community College and Hastings College, rail access and affordable land. He named recent local projects and business activity — including Hartwell Renewables and announced expansions at Chief Ethanol Fuels, Bruckman Rubber and Nebraska Prime — as evidence of momentum.
On community projects, the mayor announced two development priorities: preliminary planning and a newly formed committee for a community field house intended to host tournaments and regional events, and advancing plans to convert the long-vacant old Hastings Middle School into apartments. "Projects like this represent exactly the kind of development that Hastings should support," he said, calling revitalization and reuse "real growth."
The mayor said city development organizations — the HEDC, Community Redevelopment Authority and Developmental Services Department — should be better coordinated to streamline processes for prospective investors. He characterized the objective as creating "a fair process that rewards good projects and protects the public interest."
The State of the City concluded with a call to action to recruit industry, grow jobs and expand opportunity "fairly, transparently, and with a focus on the future." The council heard the address during its regular meeting and moved on to consent and regular agenda items afterward.
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