Tom Bliss

Executive Director of Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD)

Tom Bliss, Executive Director for the Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) is a voluntary association of counties and municipalities formed under the Nebraska Interlocal Cooperation Act to identify common problems, their solutions, and to provide continuing support for efficient and effective government among its members. SENDD Membership includes the Counties (and their participating communities) of: Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Polk, Richardson, Saline, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, and York.

There are about 13.5 full-time staff members and lots of interns from University of Nebraska, Nebraska Wesleyan, Peru State that help. There are 27 members on the Board of Directors. Funding comes from membership dues, state funds, federal funds and service contracts (which is about 50-60% of the budget).

SENDD’s area is over 8,300 square miles. Primarily rural, SENDD represents nearly 140 jurisdictions ranging in size from 30 - 8,000 residents. Most of the service area has a population density of under 51 persons per square mile. With the majority of the SENDD region’s land area being rural, agriculture is an important economic driver and culture in the region. The district’s proximity to the Lincoln and Omaha Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) influences development for much of the region. The SENDD region’s population has remained relatively stable since 2000. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2000, the area’s total population was 178,868. Agriculture is a way of life in this region. Sixty-two percent of the SENDD region’s land area being used for farming, agriculture is culturally and economically important in southeast Nebraska.

SENDD is dedicated to place-making in our region. Place-making focuses on a community’s assets, inspiration, and potential. The result is creating public spaces that promote health, happiness, and well- being. Through projects aimed at supporting local businesses, job creation, affordable and safe housing, education, health, and recreation SENDD is actively engaged in place-making in Nebraska.

What does SENDD do?

General Governmental Contact and Liaison
Grant Writing - Governmental grant and loan programs, including: USDA-RD, CDBG, WR&RIG, DOR, NEO, LWCF, NLC, EDA, etc. as well as private foundations including: Kiewit, U.S. West, RWJ and Coryell. The value of funded projects exceeds $422.5 million.
Business & Industry Financing - SENDD has financial resources in two revolving loan funds (IRP-RLF and RBEG-RLF) which are utilized to make direct loans to new and expanding small business concerns within member political subdivisions. In addition, SENDD currently manages a total of 12 single and multi-community locally capitalized revolving loan funds under special services contracts with those political subdivisions. Project development totals exceeds $287.1 million with job generation of approximately 3,705 jobs created or retained. We also have knowledge of SBA 504 Loans, SBA 7-A Loan Guarantees and CDBG-ED packaging, etc.
Grant Administration - SENDD has assisted in the development of over 904 successful grant and loan applications since 1980, and when needed aided with their administration.
Housing Rehabilitation Program Management - Residential and Rental Rehabilitation programs with over 1,815 separate units with a total value of over $77.3 million.
Special Studies/Plans - Housing Needs Assessment/Marketing Studies, Community Assessment Studies/Surveys, Household Income Surveys, Workforce Availability Studies, etc.
Financial Packaging - Business loan projects for expansion of existing and development of new businesses. In providing these services, SENDD has assisted communities and counties in successfully completing an array of infrastructure projects; water distribution systems including storage and supply, storm sewer systems, sanitary sewer collection and treatment systems, street paving, flood and erosion control, solid waste management systems, recycling programs, community and/or senior centers, park and recreation development, rehabilitation of homes and other affordable housing projects, etc. Business financing and packaging projects have also assisted in creating and/or retaining over 3,700 jobs within SENDD member communities and counties.
GIS and Mapping Services

Tom said that they actually are known as “problem solvers.” Some of the problems are simple and some are complicated.

Community Development - SENDD provides technical assistance to address a variety of community development needs, including water and wastewater improvements, senior centers, community centers, recreation facilities, street and drainage improvements, community planning, and other community facilities that enhance the quality of life in the service area. Some of this is revitalizing buildings, and tourism development in the different communities.

Emergency/Disaster Relief – During the COVID-19 pandemic they have been able to help landlords with mortgages they might have on some of their buildings because some people are unable to pay their rent, and therefore that mortgage payment comes from the landlord’s pocket. This funding was through the CARES act passed by the Federal government.

In March 2019 Nebraska had lots of flooding by the Missouri River. SENDD was able to help with flood assistance and worked with homeowners so that they could recover. SENDD helped with building up the levees so hopefully flooding would not reoccur in the future.

Economic Development - SENDD possesses two loan programs which are available to assist businesses located in SENDD member communities. SENDD is able to help small businesses with loans and gap finances. They partner with area economic developers and conventional lenders to help. In 2019 they assisted with over 65 small businesses with over $2 million in loans.

Affordable Housing - SENDD assists with projects addressing a variety of affordable housing needs, including housing market studies, housing rehabilitation programs, and down payment assistance programs. The SENDD staff provide project and grant development assistance, guidance in budgeting and financial management of affordable housing programs. In 2019 SENDD worked in 35 towns and touched nearly 200 homes.

Other Projects – CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy) is a five-year regional economic plan which serves as SENDD’s work plan. This plan is in effect from 2018 – 2023.

Current Projects – Working statewide on a Broadband mapping initiative. Helping with a regional supply chain study. This supply chain is where a small business might be able to partner with a larger company to help get supplies and stay in business. SENDD is working on a regional broadband planning strategy so that rural areas can get the right kind of service they need to keep records, etc. They also have a WealthWorks training available for those who need help.

Thanks Tom, for a wealth of information that let’s know that SENDD is helping our agricultural area, as well as our small and large towns improve their economic picture.