Emily Morrow’s Hometown Internship played an important role in her decision to return to Holt County to work and purchase her first home. Today she volunteers for the O’Neill Community Foundation Fund, which hosted her internship in 2021.
“I’m from Holt County.”
Whether they reside in O’Neill, Atkinson, or Stuart, it’s how lots of folks introduce themselves. According to locals, it wasn’t always this way, but it’s symbolic of the regionalism Holt County (pop. 9,956) has come to embrace. It’s a thriving ecosystem that focuses on a high quality of life that nurtures entrepreneurs and philanthropists alike. They aren’t in competition anymore – they know their future depends on cooperation and interdependence.
It was this regional mindset that fueled the establishment of Holt County Economic Development (HCED), an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation. HCED exists to help build local businesses and grow Holt County communities. They’ve been a key part of nurturing the entrepreneurial, community-building spirit that is characteristic of Holt County, whether it’s getting an innovative business off the ground or helping an existing one expand. Since 2007, HCED has helped attract 444 new businesses to the area, played its part in creating 597 new jobs, and welcomed 852 new residents to Holt County.
Holt County community-based affiliated funds – like those in Stuart, Atkinson, and O’Neill – are also working diligently to improve the lives of residents. Atkinson Community Foundation Fund has made major investments in education. Stuart – which accounts for a little over 500 of Holt County’s residents – not only has a volunteer-run, modern movie theatre but also a state-of-the-art early childhood development center that serves the entire region. And O’Neill Community Foundation Fund takes its role as a community convener seriously. Grants have funded pool improvements, a playground project, early childhood development, education, and healthcare.
Collectively, the affiliated funds that benefit Holt County deeply understand the power of building endowments for the future. Together they’ve amassed $10.4 million that will forever contribute to improving the way of life in their thriving community.
Inviting the next generation
Holt County is also leading the way in conveying the importance of inviting young people to enjoy the fruits of their labor while including them in the process of building stronger communities, too. HCED has distributed 2,376 mailboxes to local students since 2007 as a way to invite them home. Holt County’s affiliated funds have also fully embraced NCF’s Hometown Internship program, hosting young people who have come to see their community in a new light through the experience.
“I don’t want to sound cheesy, but this internship truly changed my life,” said Ally Sedlacek of O’Neill.
Sedlacek spent the summer of 2024 interning for Holt County Economic Development. She already has plans to return to the program in May. Her project “The People of Holt County” aimed to explore Holt County’s most important and valuable asset – its people.
And Emily Morrow, once a Hometown Intern, now a member of the O’Neill Community Foundation Fund Advisory Committee, has the perfect place to put the mailbox she received from HCED as a high school senior – in the front yard of the home she owns in O’Neill.
“I’m really living my dream life,” she said.
