Jenny Korth was just one of many who wasn’t satisfied with economic development in Lindsay.
Businesses were closing due to retirements. There were vacant buildings downtown.
She knew the community had to make change happen.
“We could see what our future would be if we sat back and did nothing,” she said.
So she joined with 13 community members to take charge and create the nonprofit Lindsay Area Development (LAD) in 2017.
The group then partnered with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and completed a community attitude survey.
The community’s top five priorities were additional housing, city service amenities (street improvements and a new water tower), recreation (walking track), a new gymnasium, and a wellness center.
“That really helped shape our strategic plan,” Korth said.
LAD members were optimistic they could help bring those projects to fruition. But first they needed money so they got right to fundraising.
One of their first big projects was the purchase of a vacant lot on Main Street. That building was later sold and now houses The Farmer’s Wife Boutique & Coffee Co.
The group continued with some smaller projects while building community support.
“Nothing that we were going to do would be successful if we didn’t have that,” Korth said.
She said communicating even the small wins helped build credibility and trust.
By 2022, LAD had checked the boxes for a few of the community’s priority items. But the wellness center was still missing.
Korth said board members knew they needed to have a good plan in place before bringing the proposal to the community. They researched and completed viability studies.
“We felt comfortable and confident that we could go out and face everybody to say, ‘We think we can do this,’” she said.
After numerous sessions with local businesses, the school, and community, LAD board members got the green light and were ready to continue their drive. They met with other small communities to form partnerships. They pursued grant options.
Then, in December 2023, the Omaha Archdiocese announced that Lindsay Holy Family High School needed to close. As the community rallied to keep their high school, LAD began to travel down a new path.
“By that point, we had some significant grand funding for the wellness center,” Korth said. “We made really great progress fundraising.”
Even so, they knew a wellness center probably wouldn’t survive if there wasn’t a high school in town.
“That was challenging emotionally for the community because there’s a lot of pride here in our school,” she said. “But it opened up the doors for some very creative conversations.”
Those conversations led to an innovative partnership with a group looking to form a new school.
Today, both those dreams have become a reality.
LAD now owns a unique, multi-use building that houses Lindsay Academy, Lindsay Events Center, and FCA Lindsay Fitness Center. The school leases classroom and gymnasium space from LAD.
LAD received more than $10 million in grant funding to construct the building. Additional funds came from naming rights including the Farmers Coop Association (FCA) Fitness Center and Bank of Lindsay Wellness Center.
The school’s 47 students held classes in a machine shed for the first half of the 2024-2025 school year since the building was still under construction. They moved into the new school in January.
There is also a new public library in the building. That was a need that LAD helped fill when the Columbus Public Library’s Bookmobile services ceased coming to Lindsay.
In August, the Lindsay Fitness Center opened to those with a membership. LAD had to determine how to balance public access and student safety. Members have an access code to enter the building, but doors to the school remain locked.
Membership includes weights and cardio equipment, an elevated walking track, gymnasium, and fitness classes.
The Lindsay Events Center is nearing completion. It is an area that can hold corporate conferences and trade shows, large family gathers, graduations, weddings, and more. There is a kitchen space for catering and a bar.
There is also a stage area for student performances or other productions.
When asked what’s next on the agenda, Korth joked that it should be a break.
“We are still catching our breath,” she said. “It seems a little surreal. I really can’t believe we actually did it.”
Korth’s presentation was part of the Community Builders tour of Lindsay on Nov. 12.
Tour stops included 1888 Tavern, Lindsay Academy and Event and Wellness Center, a 14-unit apartment complex, Lindsay Corporation, and Jarecki Physical Therapy. Read more about those businesses HERE.
Lindsay Fitness Center
Lindsay Events Center
Lindsay Academy
Lindsay Area Development