Leaders preach positivity at Hastings 'State of the City' event

HASTINGS, Neb. — There’s a shift in leadership happening in Hastings and it’s grounded in positivity.

That was the theme at Tuesday’s State of the City address. The event organized by the Hastings Economic Development Corporation showcased the new leaders, who thanked locals for welcoming them and shared their optimism for the future.

“I have not heard no yet," Shannon Landauer said. "That’s just amazing because that says that everyone has got an attitude of positivity and they’re buying in to the growth of Hastings.”

Shannon Landauer started less than three months ago as the first executive director to oversee both the economic development corporation and the chamber of commerce. She organized the state of the city event and brought in city administrator Shawn Metcalf, who started as the top city official last December, and state economic development director K.C. Belitz, who started his role in July.

“We’re all so new, but we all are going to be an instrumental team in bringing Hastings forward,” Landauer said.

Metcalf says the city is making small tweaks ranging from adjusting city code to updating items with the fire department that benefit businesses. He says the city is active when helping recruit developers to the area.

“We help them and say, ‘hey, here’s all the key people you need to know when you come to the city. Here’s how they’ll help you.’ Creating that environment for people when they first come in,” Landauer said.

Landauer says her role in leading the two organizations will allow for new collaboration. That’s a spirit she believes will allow local leaders to build on what is already a solid foundation.

“My first look at this community was, hey we got it," Landauer said. "We’ve got a lot of great things in place already. It’s really almost overwhelming to think about where we can go.”

Tuesday’s uplifting message fits with one of Landauer’s first goals. She wants to better tell the city’s story locally and regionally. She wants to drown out any negative headlines about Hastings with stories that highlight the positive things happening in the community.