ABOUT US

We’re passionate about Boone county.

Maybe you’ve noticed!

Overview

The Boone County Development Agency, Inc. (BCDA) is a non-profit organization specializing in economic development for Boone County, Nebraska. Created in 1998, BCDA collaborates with local, regional, and state partners to encourage the expansion and diversification of Boone County’s economy.
 

BCDA creates economic opportunity for Boone County through five core categories of responsibility:

  • Boone County Promotion
  • Business Recruitment, Retention, Expansion, And Transition
  • Next-Generation Business And Community Leadership Development
  • Community Collaborations
  • Workforce Development And Support


With dedicated and knowledgeable professionals committed to Boone County’s economic success, BCDA helps businesses find the resources they need to make relocation and expansion successful endeavors.

Our Mission

To help develop Boone County into a flourishing, prosperous, family-friendly, and united county.

Meet BCDA

BCDA is governed by an all volunteer Board of Directors with representatives from each Boone County community. The Board selects the President and Vice President and ensures that BCDA complies with all Board and statutory directives. The Board works with BCDA’s staff to develop, implement, and update strategic and marketing plans for Boone County and an operational plan for BCDA.

BCDA Board

Brian Yosten

PRESIDENT - BOONE COUNTY COMMISSIONER​

Community: Cedar Rapids

Years on BCDA Board: Founding member, since 1998.

Other volunteerism in the area: My business has offices in several different communities and we belong to all of the community clubs and volunteer as much as we can in each of the communities.

Why do you serve on the BCDA board? Serving on the BCDA board is a way of giving back to my community/county that has given my wife and I an environment to raise our children that shows caring, ethics, morality and a safe family atmosphere.

How has BCDA impacted your community? BCDA has, directly and indirectly, impacted my community by aiding and supporting businesses in the community and county to let citizens live in our community and not drive far to work for a quality job.

In your own words, what does economic development mean to you? Economic development is the means to support and/or expand existing businesses and create new businesses to provide an environment to retain and draw the public to our area.

BCDA Board

Marcus Johnson

Vice President - Albion

Community: Albion

Years on BCDA Board: Since 2016.

Other volunteerism in the area: Albion City Council, St. Michael’s church, and Knights of Columbus.

Why do you serve on the BCDA board? From growing up in the community and watching my parents and grandparents work to better their community through their positions on many boards, and volunteer groups, I was taught that being part of a community is working to make that community better. What started out as a position to represent the city, has progressed into a focus, opportunity, and commitment to grow our community as a city, as a county and as a state.

How has BCDA impacted your community? BCDA has been instrumental in a number of things for the city of Albion. From the walking trail, Boone Beginnings, and development of land commerce. There has been even more impacts that I can’t think of that have directly and indirectly helped grow my community of Albion.

In your own words, what does economic development mean to you? Economic development, to me, is the creation of capital, or the expanded ability to create capital. From indirect things like a walking trail that provides incentive for people to move and live here, to directly building a factory to make goods, the spectrum of economic growth and development is broad.

BCDA Board

Ross Knott

Petersburg

Community: Petersburg

Years on BCDA Board: Founding member, since 1998.

Other volunteerism in the area: Whatever is needed if I am available.

Why do you serve on the BCDA board? To bring diverse job opportunities to the area.

How has BCDA impacted your community? We have seen several new homes being built and young people living, working and raising their family in our community.

In your own words, what does economic development mean to you? Economic development is the creation of fiscally satisfy opportunities within a local, regional and national community.  The more fiscal opportunities created for employment also creates economic development opportunities for small business to meet the needs of a growing employee base. 

BCDA Board

Irene Dresch

Member At Large

Community: Primrose

Years on BCDA Board: Since 1999.

Other volunteerism in the area: I work/volunteer as the Primrose Village Clerk; volunteer within the community of Primrose for any projects needed (painting, cleaning, planting, etc.); organize the Boone County Big Give projects for Primrose; member of the Primrose American Legion Auxiliary; St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids; I was Chair of the 2002 Primrose Centennial Committee (over 1,000 people attended); St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Primrose, and was involved with the Primrose and Boone County 4-H organization for 15 years.  I help anyway that I can, and I pray every day that Primrose will survive.

Why do you serve on the BCDA board? I have lived in Boone County all of my life. I grew up west of Cedar Rapids, went to school in Cedar Rapids and my husband Jim and I live in Primrose, where we raised our daughter, Angela. When the Boone County Economic Development Agency started, over 23 years ago, I was honored to be a part of it and represent Primrose.

How has BCDA impacted your community? In 2002, Primrose able to get a CDBG grant and USDA loan to update our water system, dig a new well and install water meters.  BCDA was instrumental in helping with that project.  They wrote the grant and completed the necessary paperwork, instead of Primrose hiring a separate company for the paperwork.  In 2007, BCDA helped us to get another CDBG grant to compete a new concrete street for two blocks on our main street.

In your own words, what does economic development mean to you? Being a member of BCDA has brought the 5 communities of Boone County together.  I have met long lasting friends, that I would probably have not met otherwise.  I think Boone County has come a long way in the last 23+ years and I’m sure the amazing projects would not have been accomplished, if it hadn’t been for our group.

BCDA Board

Tina Stokes

Petersburg

Community: Petersburg

Years on BCDA Board: Since 2016.

Other volunteerism in the area:

Boone County Foundation Fund (2013)

Petersburg Community Club (since 2011 – club member/ 2018 club president)

Boone Central TeamMates mentor (started in maybe 2012)

Petersburg Community Foundation (2022)

Why do you serve on the BCDA board? I’m a firm believer that each community has a better chance of thriving if we’re all communicating and/or working together. I really like the idea of being “from Boone County” versus a specific community within it. This organization is critically important to combating urbanization and that’s a subject I’m incredibly interested in being a part of. 

How has BCDA impacted your community? People will say that Petersburg takes care of itself, which is true to a degree. But having the resources of BCDA is very valuable and it’s needed. Going back to the answer above, working collaboratively is more impactful than one community just being for itself.

In your own words, what does economic development mean to you? Economic development for Boone County is listening, learning and being proactive to keep local business and attract new businesses, keep families and attract families–it comes down to creating reasons for people to live here. It really is about working, living and growing in a community that can provide all, or nearly all, you need.

BCDA Board

Lee McPhillips

Cedar Rapids

Community: Cedar Rapids

Years on BCDA Board: Since 2022.

Other volunteerism in the area: Cedar Rapid Volunteer Fire Department and the Knights of Columbus.

Why do you serve on the BCDA board? I enjoy problem solving and learning how the other communities in Boone County have found success in growing their communities.

How has BCDA impacted your community? Assisted in providing jobs where many people in Cedar Rapids are employed as well as provides a valuable resource in knowledge of grants and assistance with applying for those grants.

In your own words, what does economic development mean to you? As it pertains to Cedar Rapids and Boone County: Creating and/or maintaining a self sustaining local economy that promotes growth.

BCDA Board

Brandi Yosten

Member At Large

Community: Albion

Years on BCDA Board: Since 2014.

Other volunteerism in the area: Emerging Leaders Academy

Why do you serve on the BCDA board? BCDA has been involved in both large and small-scale efforts that have positively impacted all of the communities in Boone County.  Most recently, BCDA has aided in a large-scale industrial development site outside of Albion, NE which already has and will continue to create new opportunities for business growth by creating jobs and revenue for all of the communities of Boone County.  BCDA has worked to implement programs to develop entrepreneurial skills of new business owners in our communities and also established programs to develop the leadership potential of young community members with hopes that they will become active, engaged and involved, as well as inspiring young people in our local school systems to consider returning to Boone County to live, work and grow their families here.  An incredible amount of money has been raised through BCDA’s past executive director, Michelle Olson, through her grant writing efforts which allowed major projects to be completed within our communities; one wonderful example is the St. Edward Community Center. Every bit of momentum allows Boone County to progress and become better for future generations.

How has BCDA impacted your community? BCDA has been involved in both large and small-scale efforts that have positively impacted all of the communities in Boone County.  Most recently, BCDA has aided in a large-scale industrial development site outside of Albion, NE which have and will create new opportunities for business growth creating jobs and revenue for all of the communities of Boone County.  BCDA has worked to implement programs to develop entrepreneurial skills of new business owners in our communities and also established programs to develop the leadership potential of young community members with hopes that they will become active, engaged and involved, as well as inspiring young people in our local school systems to consider returning to Boone County to live, work and grow their families here.  An incredible amount of money has been raised through BCDA’s past executive director, Michelle Olson, through her grant writing efforts which allowed major projects to be completed within our communities; one wonderful example is the St. Edward Community Center. Every bit of momentum allows Boone County to progress and become better for future generations.

In your own words, what does economic development mean to you? To me, economic development is momentum created by various acts, both big and small, that effect change which in time improves the economic and social development of an area, specifically here, in Boone County.

BCDA Board

Dani O'Brien

Member At Large

Community: Albion

Years on BCDA Board: Since 2015.

Other volunteerism in the area: I served as a board member on Albion Economic Development Corporation for 6 years. Currently, I help out in the community when needed.

Why do you serve on the BCDA board? I think that part of being a good community member is dedicating your time to organizations that align with your values. BCDA works hard to support the Boone County economy while trying to recruit new business ventures and residents to the area. I believe in BCDA’s mission and want to be an active part of helping Boone County grow. 

How has BCDA impacted your community? BCDA has helped numerous small businesses in Albion get their start through our Gap Financing Program. Currently, there are Albion entrepreneurs enrolled in the Energizing Entrepreneurs Program which provides a $5,000 grant to new businesses. Over the years, BCDA has worked on large projects that have created numerous jobs like helping to bring Valero to the community and, more recently, creating the Boone County Industrial Park. The list is long on BCDA’s impact in Albion. More importantly, success in any of our Boone County communities means success for all of Boone County.

In your own words, what does economic development mean to you? Economic Development is the continuous act of helping an economy grow and innovate. Without economic development, communities can slowly fade away.

BCDA Board

Michelle Olson

Albion

More Info Coming Soon

BCDA Board Members

Caleb Poore

Albion

Community: Albion

Years on BCDA Board: Since 2024.

Other volunteerism in the area: I also serve on the Albion Airport Authority Committee, and professionally on the Bryan Health ACO Board, Rural Med COOP Board, Nebraska Hospital Association Board, and Nebraska Hospital Association Member Services Board.

Why do you serve on the BCDA board? Serving on the BCDA Board allows me to contribute to the broader development of our community. It’s essential to understand how the growth of various local organizations can drive the overall economic development of the area. When each community thrives, our service area flourishes. 

A thriving economy benefits everyone — when the town prospers, so does the hospital as the majority employer in our county.

How has BCDA impacted your community? BCDA plays a critical role in supporting small local businesses by offering resources for startups and growing businesses. They collaborate with other development agencies to promote job opportunities in an effort to help fill positions in the area. BCDA also assists with housing, childcare, and connecting people with local resources, making it easier for families to settle and thrive in the community.

In your own words, what does economic development mean to you? Economic development is about the flourishing of all businesses that make up each community, creating a full-circle ripple effect. Strong economics lead to people moving in, which leads to jobs being filled, and that creates further needs for services such as child care. It’s like a wheel, if one spoke is broken, the whole bike stops moving. For a town to progress, all businesses must be in an environment where they are able to thrive. Albion, for instance, has a vibrant young population. When we first considered moving to Albion, I requested a payor mix at the hospital to understand the unique payors that make up the utilization of services at the hospital. Through that process, I noticed that the majority of insurances were non-Medicare, suggesting a growing rural community, which is sometimes rare in our state. As a business, it’s crucial to sometimes look beyond your immediate concerns and consider the bigger picture; how your actions impact the community as a whole is the mindset that drives rural success.

BCDA Board

Eric Smith

St. Edward

Community: St. Edward

Years on BCDA Board: Since 2023.

Other volunteerism in the area: I am on the St. Edward City Council and a member of the St. Edward Community Club. 

Why do you serve on the BCDA board? This is my first year on the BCDA board so I am still learning the ins and outs of the organization. But I know that economic development in small communities is important for growth and sustainability for decades to come.

How has BCDA impacted your community? Over the past few years, BCDA has helped businesses in St. Edward with gap financing, grants through the Energizing Entrepreneurs program, and grant writing for the new Community Building.

In your own words, what does economic development mean to you? Progress to further the development of businesses. 

Meet our team

Office Administrator

Jackie Valasek

Public Relations & County Promotion

Tina Stokes

Website & Digital Marketing

Dani O'Brien

Careers

For over two decades, the Boone County Economic Development Agency (BCDA) has served as Boone County’s economic development authority. BCDA is among the best places to work in the county and prides itself on its innovative, creative, and mission-focused operations. 

For a complete list of employment opportunities in Boone County, please visit our Job Opportunities page. 

Get in touch

BCDA Office

233 South 4th St.

Albion, NE 68620

Contact Us

Phone : (402) 395-3356

Email : bcdaadmin@boone-county.org

Our Hours

By appointment

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