Business & Economic Development

Community Hospital is excited to invite the public to a Community Open House celebrating the completion of the ROOTS Apartment Complex, a groundbreaking initiative designed to strengthen rural healthcare by providing modern housing for healthcare students. The event will take place on Thursday, December 18, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 409 West 1st Street, McCook, NE 69001.

McCOOK Neb. — When McKenzie Schmitz plants a garden, she doesn’t go halfway. A few years ago, her backyard was producing so much that she simply couldn’t keep up with the fresh veggies. So she did what creative people do—she turned a “too much” problem into something special. “Prairie Sage started pretty organically for me. I’ve always had a full garden, and one year it was producing so much that I needed to find a way to preserve everything,” McKenzie said. She started maki

McCOOK, Neb. – When the days get shorter and the wind turns sharp, Brian Nally doesn’t head indoors for the season—he just swaps lawn mowers for ladders and starts loading up spools of Christmas lights. Nally is the owner of Fair Way Landscaping and its holiday counterpart, Fair Ways Christmas Lights. This is his second year installing lights in McCook, and he said the community has made it easy to feel at home. “Honestly, it’s been going really good,” he said. “I feel like I

McCOOK Neb. - When you step into Longnecker Jewelry on Norris Avenue, it doesn’t feel like a store competing with big-city showrooms across the Midwest. It feels like what it is—a small, independent shop where customers are greeted by name, repairs are done in-house, and owner Bill Longnecker can often be found at the bench with a loupe in hand.  But behind that small-town storefront sits a much bigger story.  Recently, a marketing company contacted Bill offering to sell him

eBay store helps support downtown vendor marketplace and holiday shopping in McCook’s Creative District McCOOK, Neb. — On most days at The Rustic Market on 1st, you’ll find owner Tammy Stevens doing a quiet juggling act—greeting customers, answering vendor questions, and, in between, carefully wrapping a glass cookie jar or vintage sewing machine to ship halfway around the world. What many people don’t realize is that behind the cozy vendor booths and antique displays, there

McCOOK Neb.— Handyman Stamm, a locally owned and newly BBB-accredited business, is launching a special holiday giveaway this season—one free home installation, with all materials and labor included, for a local family in need. The installation could be anything from a new furnace or water heater to plumbing repairs, flooring, HVAC work, accessibility upgrades, or other essential fixes that help keep a home safe and functioning. Cosmetic-only projects won’t be included, but t

McCOOK, Neb. — There’s a new reason to stop by East 4th Street this weekend — The Shed is opening its newly finished space, expanding the cozy McCook shop that’s become known for its mix of practical furniture, home décor, and unexpected finds. Owned by Susan and Bob Ihrig, The Shed has quietly grown since opening last year, and the couple is now ready to open the doors to the large red building behind their home — adding more space and variety for shoppers to explore. Locate

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Housing Agency, under the leadership of Executive Director Carma Earl, celebrated a milestone moment with a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking its official welcome into the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce. The event highlighted both the agency’s recent updates and its broader vision of providing safe, affordable, and dignified housing for local residents. Community leaders, chamber members, and residents attended the ceremony, which also showcased the a

October 20, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — A beloved piece of McCook’s downtown history has officially come to a close. Embers Bakery & Café announced on Sunday night that Saturday was its final day of operation, marking the end of a 68-year tradition that began in 1957 as Sehnert’s Bakery. The announcement, shared in a Facebook post by owners Andrew and Alix Ambriz, was met with an outpouring of emotion from the community — from sadness and surprise to heartfelt gratitude. Many longtim

McCOOK, Neb. — A familiar location in McCook’s ag community is getting new life — and a new vision — as Hi-Line Cooperative officially celebrates the opening of its expanded agronomy services facility. The business, which takes over the former site of Red Willow Chemical, aims to bring comprehensive solutions for area farmers while honoring the legacy of customer service that made the location a trusted name in local agriculture. At a recent ribbon cutting hosted by the McCo

McCOOK Neb. — Questions have surfaced on social media about the City of McCook’s role in the McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport and whether taxpayers are footing the bill for recent changes. Charlie McPherson, executive director of the McCook Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), said the city continues to own and operate the airport, just as it always has. The airport itself — including the runways, city-owned buildings, and emergency services — remains a city responsibil

McCOOK, Neb. – The journey of Chris Wagner didn’t begin with a ribbon-cutting, but with a promise. As a teenager, he was already an entrepreneur, a side hustle artist inspired by his father who “would rebuild [cars] and then sell them.” When a local dealer offered him a job, Chris was eager to start immediately, wanting to graduate midterm. But his mother, following the untimely loss of his father, had a different plan. “I told my mom I’m gonna see it through (and finish his

McCook, Neb. – Community Hospital has announced the difficult decision to close Curtis Medical Center, located in Curtis, Nebraska. An exact date for the closure is yet to be determined. Inflation over the past few years combined with the current uncertainty of future federal funding has led to this decision. Curtis Medical Center has proudly served the Curtis community and surrounding areas for over 30 years, providing essential healthcare services to families, students, and

McCOOK Neb. -  At the beginning of January, Natalie Gilbert Marks launched her new venture, "Bookmarks Boutique," now located within the Rustic Market on First Street. What started as a simple Facebook announcement, "Welcome to the Bookmarks Boutique Facebook page where we can build a bookish community," has quickly transformed into a cherished local book haven.  For Marks, the boutique represents more than just a business; it's a passion project. "My daughter Erin graduated

McCook Neb.- A long-standing fixture in McCook's auto supply scene is shifting gears - but not disappearing. Kohl Auto Parts, located just off B Street at 908 W C St, has been acquired by Arnold Motor supply, promising expanded inventory and familiar faces. Despite the change in ownership, Barry Kohl says there's no need for concern. The merchandise will remain largely the same - just more of it. "We were aligned with them, Arnold Motor supplyl previously, as they were a supp

McCOOK Neb. - Less than a year after breaking ground on the Townhomes at Parkview Addition, the McCook Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) celebrated notable progress with an open house for one of the new townhomes located on Cheyenne Road. This event marked an important milestone in MEDC's ongoing mission to improve affordable housing options within the community.The groundbreaking ceremony, held on December 14, 2023, attracted numerous community members who braved chi

New store opens on West 1st