# 212: Manufacturing's Transformative Impact on Rural Economies and Population Growth with Angie Stenger, Executive Director of Northeast Nebraska Growing Together

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2024-11-19
- Length: 39m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-11-19-212-manufacturings-transformative-impact-on-rural-economies-and-population-growt
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Angie Stenger, Executive Director of Northeast Nebraska Growing Together, explains how the initiative is revitalizing Norfolk, Nebraska, through a collaborative model involving Wayne State College, Northeast Community College, and local manufacturers. The program features the 'Growing Together Scholarship,' which pairs students with housing and internships, resulting in 10 of the first 28 graduates staying in Norfolk, while the new IHub innovation hub provides robotics training and CNC access. Stenger highlights how quality-of-life investments, such as the Whitewater Park and downtown revitalization, are used to attract young professionals and support bedrock employers like Newcore Steel and Lindsay Corporation.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-11-19-212-manufacturings-transformative-impact-on-rural-economies-and-population-growt#t=0) Introduction: Norfolk, NE and The District
- [4:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-11-19-212-manufacturings-transformative-impact-on-rural-economies-and-population-growt#t=257) Downtown Revitalization and The District
- [8:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-11-19-212-manufacturings-transformative-impact-on-rural-economies-and-population-growt#t=534) Northeast Nebraska Growing Together Mission
- [10:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-11-19-212-manufacturings-transformative-impact-on-rural-economies-and-population-growt#t=611) Whitewater Park and Quality of Life
- [13:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-11-19-212-manufacturings-transformative-impact-on-rural-economies-and-population-growt#t=788) Growing Together Scholarship and Housing
- [20:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-11-19-212-manufacturings-transformative-impact-on-rural-economies-and-population-growt#t=1250) IHub Innovation Hub and Robotics
- [26:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-11-19-212-manufacturings-transformative-impact-on-rural-economies-and-population-growt#t=1615) Bedrock Manufacturers: Newcore and Lindsay
- [32:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-11-19-212-manufacturings-transformative-impact-on-rural-economies-and-population-growt#t=1948) Measuring Success and Advice for Regions

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Northeast Nebraska Growing Together (company)
- Wayne State College (company)
- Northeast Community College (company)
- Invest Nebraska (company)
- Heartland Robotics Cluster (company)
- Exarbin Foundation (company)
- Lindsay Corporation (company)
- Kawasaki (company)
- Grain Weeble (product)
- The District (product)
- Whitewater Park (product)
- IHub (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Inside Conexus Indiana: The Industry Network Driving Manufacturing Tech and Talent | Ep. 46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-07-31-inside-conexus-indiana-the-industry-network-driving-manufacturing-tech-and-talen) (Lights Out)
- [Filling the Skills Gap One Student at a Time w/ Matt Guse](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-05-25-filling-the-skills-gap-one-student-at-a-time-w-matt-guse) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Workforce as Critical Infrastructure: Following North Carolina's Model w/ John Loyack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-08-12-workforce-as-critical-infrastructure-following-north-carolinas-model-w-john-loya) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [How to Accelerate and Mature Manufacturing with Barry Hulce of VTMC](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2024-02-06-how-to-accelerate-and-mature-manufacturing-with-barry-hulce-of-vtmc) (Additive Snack)
- [MEP Impact: Empowering Small Manufacturers with Training, Partnerships and Advocacy w/ Pete Connolly](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-09-02-mep-impact-empowering-small-manufacturers-with-training-partnerships-and-advocac) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-11-19-212-manufacturings-transformative-impact-on-rural-economies-and-population-growt. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Manufacturing Happy Hour.