
Resources
Partners
CFRA: Center for Rural Affairs - REAP: Rural Enterprise Assistance Project
MHDF: Midwest Housing Development Fund
Contact: Lara Huskey
NBDC: Nebraska Business Development Center
Contact: Craig Boesch or Quentin Farley
NDED: Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Business Contact: Dave Honz
Housing Contact: Amy Fields
NDOL: Nebraska Department of Labor
NE Works Website: www.neworks.nebraska.gov
NDOR: Nebraska Department of Revenue
NDOT: Nebraska Department of Transportation
NEDA: Nebraska Economic Developers Association
Contact: Megan Benes
NEF: Nebraska Enterprise Fund
Contact: Jim Reiff
NHDA: Nebraska Housing Developers Association
NIFA: Nebraska Investment Finance Authority
Contact: Robin Ambroz or Elizabeth Fimbres
NMEP: Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Contact: Joseph Roy
NPPD: Nebraska Public Power District
Contact: Rick Nelson
OPPD: Omaha Public Power District
Contact: Brook Aken or Tim O’Brien
USDA-RD: US Department of Agriculture
SBA: Small Business Administration

SENDD: Southeast Nebraska Development District
Contact: Kelly Gentrup
Programs
Community Resources
CCCFF: Civic and Community Center Financing Fund
EDCC: Economic Development Certified Community
LCC: Leadership Certified Community
CDBG: Community Development Block Grant
LWCF: Land and Water Conservation Fund
RTP: Recreation Trails Program
Broadband Search Ashland, NE
Other Internet Resource
Communities for Kids
Health Resources
Mesothelioma Veterans Center
Mesothelioma Resource Group
Veteran Support
Asbestos Exposure
Medical Testing
Nursing Home Abuse
How Medicaid works with Medicare
Many of the millions of Medicare enrollees in the United States are at least 65 years old; however, Medicare is also available to younger people with qualifying disabilities. You may be eligible for Medicaid if you meet income and resource limit requirements. Each state administers its Medicaid program and may have different eligibility requirements and expanded benefits. Check for your state’s definitions and eligibility standards for Medicaid here. Or, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to speak with an unbiased agent about how Medicare and Medicaid will work for you.
Dual Eligible Standards
Medicare is available if you’re at least 65 years old or have some disability, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), that qualifies you for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits. To receive premium-free Part A coverage, you must have worked and paid Medicare taxes for a minimum number of quarters. You must also be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Qualifying and Applying for Medicare and Medicaid
Medicaid eligibility requirements can be confusing, especially for applicants under 65 who get Medicare coverage for a qualifying disability. Area Agencies on Aging have trained counselors on hand to answer questions about Medicare and help current Medicare beneficiaries determine if they might be dually eligible. AAA counselors can also help you determine if you’re eligible for the QMB, SLMB, QI, or QDWI programs.
Some communities have geriatric care managers available to assist. A geriatric care manager is a registered nurse or social worker who has been trained to help older adults access health and social services. In addition, elder care attorneys, State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselors, and commission-based Medicaid planners are also good resources for information on Medicaid eligibility and benefits.
Medicaid Costs
As long as they cover mandatory benefits required by CMS, states can implement cost-sharing arrangements as part of their Medicaid plans. CMS caps out-of-pocket costs, but state Medicaid programs are also allowed to charge a premium for enrollees in the following groups:
How to apply
To apply for Medicare, contact your social security office or visit ssa.gov. To apply for Medicaid, contact your local Medicaid office to ask questions about program requirements and the application process.
Business Resources
ImagiNE: Imagine Nebraska - Nebraska New Tax Advantage Act
LB840: Local Municipal Option Sales Tax
TIF: Tax Increment Financing
Ideas for starting a new business
Housing Resources
NAHTF: Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund
RWHF: Rural Workforce Housing Fund
HOME Investment Partnership
CROWN: Credit to Own (NIFA Program)
CRANE: Collaborative Resource Allocation for Nebraska (NIFA Program)
LIHTC: Low Income Housing Tax Credits (NIFA Program)
Economic Development Terms
BR&E: Business Retention and Expansion
FTE: Full-Time Equivalent
PTE: Part-Time Equivalent
Site Selection: Companies or startups will look at LOIS or your website to see what available sites or buildings your community has
ESRI Reports: A great tool to collect statistics if you are looking for data
Forms & Permits
Building Permit Application
Utility Permit Application
Conditional Use Permit Application
Poultry Permit Application
Studies
Ashland Housing Study
2021-2022 Ashland Highway 6 Blight Study
Ashland Hotel Market Analysis
Ashland Hotel Feasibility Study
Community for Kids Survey Results
Community for Kids Quarterly Report
ESRI Maps
Commute Profile
Coronavirus Impact Planning
Demographic Profile
Demographic Summary
Dominant Tapestry
Employment Overview
Executive Summary Call Outs
Health & Insurance Statistics
Key Demographics
Key Facts
Multi-Area Comparison
Nearby Restaurants
Population Trends
Property Details
Tapestry Profile
Target Market Summary