South Central

In South Central Nebraska, recreation is anything but routine. Start with the Nebraska State Fair, a jam-packed celebration of agriculture, entertainment, and family held every August in Grand Island. Springtime brings one of nature’s most stunning sights — the migration of millions of sandhill cranes soaring above the Central Flyway near the Platte River Valley.

In Kearney, explore The Archway, an immersive museum over I-80 that tells the story of America’s westward expansion. Visit the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island and explore the lives of trail travelers and settlers. Or shift into gear at the American Automobile Experience with its more than 100 classic automobiles and interactive displays.

When summer hits, head outdoors and kayak the 2.3-mile Kearney Water Trail or make it a weekend getaway and set up camp at a national monument or State Recreation Area like Fort Kearney, War Axe, or Windmill. Visit historic sites like Willa Cather’s childhood home or hidden gems like the Hastings Museum. And don’t miss Hear Grand Island — a free weekly downtown concert series filled with music, food, and community. And for a splash of excitement, Island Oasis Water Park offers thrills for kids with its four giant water slides, lazy river, and wave pool.

Ready to unwind after a long day with the kids? The new Grand Island Casino Resort has you covered with indoor/outdoor pools, a luxurious spa and salon and nonstop entertainment — including 750 slot machines and live table games.

With so many things to do in central Nebraska, it’s easy to see why the sandhill cranes keep coming back.

Ever wonder what it’s like to live where affordability meets opportunity? In South Central Nebraska, cities like Kearney and Grand Island offer just that — with the cost of living up to 16% lower than the national average.

Whether you’re in the market for a home in a new subdivision like Millennial Estates or prefer community-style living in amenity-rich townhomes, housing options here are diverse, modern, and accessible. A new mixed-use development near the University of Nebraska at Kearney is even creating walkable urban neighborhoods for students and young professionals.

Families will feel right at home with good healthcare options like CHI Health Good Samaritan and Mary Lanning Healthcare and highly rated school districts like Kearney Public Schools and Northwest Public Schools. And if you’ve got high aspirations for your career, South Central Nebraska’s higher education is just as impressive, with respected institutions like University of Nebraska at Kearney (one of the best public schools in the midwest region) and several private and community colleges like Hastings College and Central Community College.

South Central Nebraska is more than livable — it’s a place to thrive, grow, and build something lasting.

South Central Nebraska is packed with opportunities for skilled manufacturing talent. In Kearney, Parker Hannifin — maker of Baldwin Filters — employs over 1,000 engineers and manufacturers creating patented solutions like radial seal air filters and coolant control products.

Want to join a company working to ensure the safety and quality of our food? Gibbon Packing in Gibbon and McCain Foods in Grand Island both employ workforces of over 500. The latter announced plans to invest $30 million in a factory expansion in 2025.

Healthcare and education are big here too, with hospitals, clinics, and schools looking for talent across the region. And as manufacturing continues to grow, employers like Eagle Distributing in Grand Island and Cash-Wa Distributing in Kearney demonstrate the relative strength of the distribution and warehousing industries.

We don’t skimp on helping entrepreneurs and small business owners either, with dedicated resources like UNK’s Center for Entrepreneurship and the Nebraska Business Development Center. No matter what your goal is, South Central Nebraska is a place where careers — and ideas — take root.