As the sun begins its final descent on another day in central Nebraska, cars race by on the interstate heading somewhere.

Once upon a time, there wasn’t much to see passing exit 272.

“It’s a ton different, absolutely,” said Mayor Jonathan Nikkila.

“It wasn’t long ago it was just the Holiday Inn right off the highway and the motels there,” added state senator, Stan Clouse.

A new era is taking shape on the south side of Kearney, thanks in large part to the development done by Paul Younes and his family.

Prairie grass turning into a massive Sportsplex, where courts could become center stage of what the city hopes is the next chapter for this area. During the ribbon cutting, Clouse made mention of a potential move.

“Kearney is in the running for a Good Life district,” he told those in attendance.

A Good Life District re-purposes tax dollars collected by the state and reinvests the money into the community where they are building up.

“Myself and our staff have been taking to the legislature and the executive branch that Kearney is a place that wants to grow and serve people from all over this region," Nikkila said.

“There’s one position left," said Clouse. "They’re trying to determine where we’re at for funding. Certainly Kearney is in the running, but there are a couple of other communities, or another community that’s looking at it.”

With hotels, apartment complexes, restaurants and venues already under construction in South Kearney.

“This fits hand in glove with the Good Life District, so if we can just keep expanding further to the west and have some great things developing in Kearney and central Nebraska," said Clouse.

Vehicles whizzing by on to their next destination don't fully realize the juice being added in this area. Soon enough, there may more reason people are pulling off for a stay in the heart of the Cornhusker state with the newest attractions.

“Put Nebraska even more on the map if we can do that right here off the interstate," said Nikkila. "It’s going to serve folks as well as benefiting our community.”