By: Elijah
Karl Elmshaeuser of Ogallala, Nebraska is the Executive Director of the West Central Nebraska Development District (otherwise known as WCNDD), an organization that helps build communities. Karl’s job consists of taking care of 18 counties in the state of Nebraska. He does several things within the district. If the community could not afford a person to come in and help with economic help, then WCNDD would basically fill the shoes of that person. One of Karl’s employee’s states, “The community gets to decide where they want to drive their car; we assist them with trying to find the fuel.” To simplify that, WCNDD’s job is basically to assist the community in finding a way to accomplish its goals. WCNDD assists with state and federal programs toward the communities' and the counties' projects. They also assist in doing the paperwork in projects so that the project can run more smoothly. WCNDD usually does not get much recognition in these projects. Their name is mentioned in the news reports saying that they had a supporting role in the project, and that is the extent of it. WCNDD does not seek recognition, but when they receive it, they are very thankful because it means a lot to them.
Karl picked up this job by being successful at his previous jobs. The job he has was available for those who wanted it. He had many people suggest that he take the job. So he applied. During the time he has been there, he has done many projects. One project consisted with tearing down an old and abandoned house, shown in the pictures below. With it gone, the area looks so much nicer and the surrounding places around it also improved and cleaned up their houses. Things like this are what make communities better, even though they may be big or small. But as Karl quotes, "I don’t believe that you should just be a passerby; if you want to affect change, you have to be involved.”
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