The Custer Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) celebrated another successful year of building community at the annual CEDC Member Appreciation Picnic and Awards Ceremony on Sunday, October 5.
Several awards were presented to area citizens and businesses recognizing their ongoing commitment to the betterment of the Custer County area community.
The CEDC Wheelhorse Award recognizes an area citizen who represents a steadfast and driving force in shaping the community.
In announcing Chris Smith as this year’s CEDC Wheelhorse recipient, CEDC Executive Director Scotti Ross stated it was time to officially recognize someone who has been a contender for many years. Smith was recognized for being a steady resource for community service and activism both for the CEDC and with the Custer County Foundation, and was cited as a driving force for pushing the grassroots movement to pass the recent Broken Bow School Bond and supporting fine arts at the school.
The Junior Wheelhorse Award was presented to Eli Rogers. Rogers is extremely active in multiple programs in the Arnold area, on top of working the family ranch and his own small heard of cattle. Rogers most recently received a Custer County Foundation Grant supporting the Dolly Parton Imagination Library project which he spearheaded. Rogers is a Senior at Arnold Public Schools.
Ag Innovator Awards went to Dahlia Valley Ranch and to Kinstead Farm. Flower farmers Lisa Nelson of Dahlia Valley and Mackenzie Hueftle of Kinstead were recognized for cultivating businesses that bring blooms to businesses throughout Central Nebraska, as well as closer to home. On-site cut-your-own flower arrangement events bring communities together at both Dahlia Valley Ranch and Kinstead Farm.
The final awardee of the evening was Donnis Hueftle-Bullock, presented with the 2025 CEDC Community Pride Award. Ross indicated Huftle-Bullock was one of the few stand-out members of the community with a hand in nearly every event or project that happens, and that the Community Pride Award was the best all-encompassing title for someone who could have been nominated in multiple categories.
The CEDC Picnic was hosted at Kinkaider Brewing Company in Broken Bow. Ross thanks in particular the law firm of Sennett, Duncan, Jenkins and Wickam P.C., L.L.O., as the evening’s drink sponsors, and meal sponsor Nebraska State Bank.
As Ross and Executive Committee Chair Jami Anderson discussed the many activities and firsts for the CEDC through the year, one thing stood out: the willingness of CEDC members to stand up and take on the problems facing the community. Ross told those present that the people who do that make the difference between communities that are dying and those that thrive.
