Norfolk economic development director to leave city role

NORFOLK, Neb. — Norfolk’s economic development director for the city and the Norfolk Area Economic Development Council will take a new role with a consulting firm.

Candice Alder will become a strategic account manager with Consolidated Consulting, also known as PrecisionIT, beginning in March. The technology and consulting firm was recently named to the Inc. 5000 list, ranking No. 298 among the nation’s fastest-growing businesses and No. 1 in Nebraska.

Alder has served the City of Norfolk since 2013 and has held the role of economic development director since October 2022. During her tenure, she led initiatives focused on business recruitment and retention, entrepreneurship development, placemaking and community revitalization.

City officials say Alder played a key role in major projects, including development tied to the North Fork Whitewater Park, downtown revitalization efforts and the creation of the Bradford Business Park.

She also supported housing development that has added more than 1,400 housing units to the community since 2016 and helped support new business growth, including Norfolk Crush and FieldWise.

Alder’s last day with the city will be March 2. City officials say plans are underway to identify interim coverage and determine next steps for economic development leadership to ensure continuity of services and ongoing projects.