The City of Bellevue received the designation as an Economic Development Certified City (EDCC) at the April 25, 2016 of the Bellevue City Council. Lynne Kohout, from Nebraska's Department of Economic Development, attended the meeting and recognized Bellevue as one of 38 Nebraska communities to earn EDCC certification in the program as well as the only city in Sarpy County.
This program, which was established in 2005, is sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats and administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. It recognizes certified communities for their ability to meet the needs of companies seeking new locations by identifying and marketing economic-ready areas. As part of their economic development efforts, qualifying communities must also document available infrastructure, existing sites and buildings, and local financing and business assistance.
The City of Bellevue has been working toward the certification for several years with the help of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce and Brook Aken who serves as an Economic Development Coordinator for OPPD. Ms Kohout presented the award to Bellevue Mayor Rita Sanders, City Administrator, Dan Berlowitz and Assistant City Administrator, Larry Burks.