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Let’s hear the story of Nebraska, its communities, its number one industry Agriculture, and the people who make it happen. Sponsored by Nebraska's Law Firm® - Rembolt Ludtke.
93
Caleb Fjone--Ashland's Blueprint for Growing Nebraska's Historic Communities
In this episode we shine a spotlight on one of Nebraska’s most charming and fastest-growing historic communities: Ashland. Nestled between Lincoln and Omaha, Ashland has long been known for its beautiful downtown, but in recent years, it has emerged as a remarkable example of how small cities can honor their past while building a vibrant, forward-looking future.
As Nebraska works to strengthen its rural towns and historic main streets, Ashland stands out not only for what it has preserved, but for what it is becoming. New businesses, creative energy, thoughtful development, and community-driven leadership have transformed this city into a model for sustainable, people-centered growth.
Our guest is someone at the heart of that movement: Caleb Fjone, CEO of the Ashland Community Development Corporation. Caleb is leading initiatives that blend economic development with historic preservation, foster a thriving arts and creative culture, and cultivate a community where families, entrepreneurs, and visitors feel deeply connected.
So settle in as we dive into the story of Ashland: a small city with a big future, and an inspiring example of what’s possible when history, community, and development come together with purpose.
Nebraska. It's not just a place, but a way of life. It's 93 counties that are home to innovative individuals, caring community, and a spirit that runs deeper than its vertical story. It's a story that should be told. Welcome to 93, the podcast.
SPEAKER_01:Welcome to 93, the podcast, where we talk about Nebraska, its communities, its number one industry agriculture, and the people who make it happen. I'm Mark Folson, your host for today's episode, brought to you by Nebraska's law firm, Rembolt Lutke. In this episode, we shine a spotlight on one of Nebraska's most charming and fastest growing historic communities, Ashland, Nebraska. Nestled between Lincoln and Omaha, Ashland has long been known for its beautiful historic downtown and its rich heritage. But in recent years, it has emerged as a remarkable example of how small towns can honor their past while building a vibrant, forward-looking future. Today we're joined by someone at the heart of that movement, Caleb Fioni, Chief Executive Officer of the Ashland Community Development Corporation. Caleb, welcome to Night Three the Podcast. Can you give our listeners a little background on yourself?
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, I'm Caleb Fioni. I'm the executive director of the Ashland Community Development Corporation, uh, also known as the Ashland Area Economic Development Corporation. Um and uh I'm a St. Louis native that moved up to Ashland about five years ago during the pandemic and uh hit the ground running and haven't looked back ever since.
SPEAKER_01:So how did you end up in Ashland? Give it give our listeners the history.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, uh I ended up in Ashland actually through my professor. Uh I had another gig, another career lined up. Um economic development.
SPEAKER_01:You gotta tell us what that was.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, city city administration um was the route I was going. And economic development wasn't even on the radar at the at that time. And you know, the pandemic kind of upended a lot of people's like goals, everything um through that. So I get a phone call saying, hey, that position's just not gonna be available. Um, we're gonna try to redefine what we're gonna do with that. Um appreciate it, but um kind of left it there. And then my professor called one day and I thought it was a half half of a joke, and he said, Do you know where Nebraska is? And I said, Well, duh, it's a border state to Missouri. Uh you're not gonna catch me sleeping on these answers. You you've taught me this stuff. I'm not I'm not about to go back through a final with you, but uh he said, Well, I've got a job opportunity up there for you. Um, I already sent your stuff and your resume in for you, and they want to interview you. And if you're willing, you'll be up there in about three weeks' time. And he said this right before Thanksgiving. So uh that made everyone in the house a little uh frantic. But uh that's that's essentially how I got here with my professor.
SPEAKER_01:So your background from an educational standpoint, what uh what what are your degrees in?
SPEAKER_02:Uh so I have a master's in public administration. Um, and I focus a little more of that into um emergency management. Uh my brain just thinks uh more clearly during an emergency on how to establish that chain of command and how do you help people. Um and it's surprisingly the first answer is not you don't just outwardly help people, you have to set up a communication system to get a process before you start helping people. And that that stuff just kind of naturally made sense to me. And um uh and so that's what I have my master's in. My undergrad was in political science and um business law.
SPEAKER_01:What is the Ashland Community Development Corporation? What is it?
SPEAKER_02:Well, it's a nonprofit, and we're focused on maintaining and growing um through uh guided growth policy of making sure Ashland is still a um small town feel, but realizing and addressing the issues of what uh city growth looked like. Uh so we do that in the area. Um we've also helped out a little bit around uh Saunders County and we bleed a little into Cass County. Um, but it's definitely uh has grown as in scope and size as a a mission. Um and it's now more defining um what Ashland has to offer, um, what's so great about the town. So kind of that conceptual mission statement keeps growing as we keep adding things um to the town and what makes the town um as vibrant as it's been.
SPEAKER_01:So what license plate prefix do you have on your car?
SPEAKER_02:I have a six.
SPEAKER_01:Oh, okay. And that stands for which county?
SPEAKER_02:Sonders County. Okay. So I'm a Sanders County resident.
SPEAKER_01:Um let's let's assume someone hasn't been to Nebraska before. Where geographically is Ashland located in the state?
SPEAKER_02:Yeah. Um I'd I'd say the easiest answer, and the answer we say to pretty much anyone is Ashland is snug, 30 minutes between both of Lincoln and Omaha's downtowns. Um and you should be able just to jump on I-80 either from the Lincoln side or from the Omaha side, and you'll see a sign that says Ashland, and you'll be able to get off that exit and be in town within five minutes. So uh pretty, pretty much equidistant to both of the big cities.
SPEAKER_01:So describe for someone again who's who hasn't been there before what the downtown Ashland area looks like today.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, uh it's very hallmarky, is one of the words we get all the time, especially during the holiday season. Um we have a ton of different shops downtown. We have three galleries on one street alone. Um we have a wonderful bakery um right up the road. If you go through our downtown park, the Saline Ford Park, at the end cap of it, we have uh an awesome steakhouse development. Um there's a runs over over there because you've got to have runs if you're gonna be able to do it.
SPEAKER_01:You have to have a runs over, correct.
SPEAKER_02:Correct, correct. Um, and then besides just the downtown, we've got you know the bank as a as a pillar of the community, Lutton Law Office is a pillar, um, and Silver Street goes pretty pretty long. Uh so the I'd say the commercial district is about a block to two blocks long, and then it turns into residential until you hit the grocery store and and city hall.
SPEAKER_01:So recently the the attraction that people have pointed out to me in Ashland is maybe not one that most people would expect, but it's an ice cream store. What uh what's the what's the Blue Jay ice cream store about?
SPEAKER_02:So we have uh some uh owners that live out at uh the lakes uh over by the guard camp, which is a mile north of us. Um and those those are cash with lakes essentially. Uh they're they're within our sphere of of growth, and so they're very much Ashlanders is the people in corporate limits. Um we have a couple members that uh saw a building that was for purchase on our in our downtown called the Hoffman Building. And one of their visions for that building is to bring something to the community that um is kind of uh a thing that has been lacking for um the lack of a better term. Um so they came and pitched this idea of what if we open an ice cream shop and what if we do it with the official Hershey's brand? And then on top of that, what if we have like about 50 plus flavors to try? Um, so the the fun part, I guess, through the economic development was is well, we got to taste test every one of those to make sure that it's okay before this business opens. And it was it was definitely a good taste test. So um, yeah, they they've got shakes, they've got uh candies even. Um, and so yeah, Blue Jace has been hitting the ground running, and sometimes it's too hard to get in, uh, which is a great problem. But uh very, very happy to have them. Um, and I'm sure our dentist in town is also equally as happy uh to have them too.
SPEAKER_01:So another really cool place, it's been there for a while, but I gotta tell you, the the inside and the food and the beverage that they serve is incredible is Glacial Till. What can you tell folks about Glacial Till?
SPEAKER_02:Uh Glacial Till is a winery uh in Palmyra, Nebraska, but their tasting house is here in Ashland. And so they're one of our main anchor uh tenants in the downtown. Um back when the town was not really uh developed, the downtown wasn't really developed well. Um they had a vision, and that vision was to execute and make a nice place for people to want to come and just hang out and have a low-key atmosphere. Um, they've got ciders. Um I'd have to say my favorite cider is the rhubarb uh cider. I you will not ever catch me with anything but the strawberry rhubarb cider.
SPEAKER_01:So they once made, I I always ask them, they they've the uh the folks behind the bar will actually they have their own mixes, so they'll mix a variety of them. So if you go in there, always ask them what's your favorite mix, and they'll come up with I'll do boysenberry and something else. And you're like you always trust them, whatever their advice is.
SPEAKER_02:Oh, 100%. I have done that, but I definitely have a favorite. So I it's kind of hard for me to break that that habit there. Um, they also have meeting space, and so that's really cool that our chamber is able to come together and all the businesses come together, and they can have a drink and have a bite to eat, and then we can discuss um businesses and and the business business and then what we're gonna do for you know the outlook of the town. So they're pretty uh open and accommodating. So we appreciate them for that.
SPEAKER_01:Another one of my favorite places, which is relatively new in Ashland, is Roulman Steakhouse. How has that impacted the local economy?
SPEAKER_02:Oh, it's been tremendous. Um Rolman's is doing great things for our community. Um, we're really thankful he's got the the vision of what this in cap could have been uh for our downtown. Um and since it's on highway six, it helps tie that downtown piece together a little more. Um but having the vision to have just a steak, not just the steakhouse, but being able to think about housing as a as a piece to that. And then also, you know, to uh add on something that we've been needing in town, which is um a healthcare clinic. Um so you know, addressing some of those those concerns while this building process went through. So not just excellent food, but um good forward thinking and great um visionary leadership from from him on that front.
SPEAKER_01:So other than a healthcare clinic, what other types of businesses would Ashwin does it not already have that you're kind of pursuing or would think would be a nice add to the community?
SPEAKER_02:A nice ad. Um I know a lot of people are really sad um back when the pharmacy closed down. So that's been a one of the number one asks from from the community to my office is hey, can you just put a pharmacy in? Um so uh easier said than done. Uh there's a lot of nuance and and regulations and uh very tiny profit margins to make that work, but um we do have something uh that we're trying to get into the works and hopefully can get that up and running because that would complement that uh clinic very well to you know get your scripts filled right after your appointment and not have to actually leave town. Um so I'd say that's probably one of the top priorities. Um I know another one was we did the survey um about a year and a half ago to talk about putting in a wellness and aquatic facility. So that's that planning is underway, and we're just hit our phase two on that. So those are so it's a two big projects on the horizon. Um and if we can get those completed, um it's kind of a domino effect with development. Um, you know, one thing begets another. So if we put in this, maybe a hotel will come. And if a hotel comes, maybe this type of restaurant will show up. And if this type of restaurant shows up, maybe this type of speakeasy would show up. So it's a growth begets growth. And so we kind of take it one day at a time. Um and we always keep the the forethought of the community at mind that they don't want any big box stores. So you'll never see us go out and say, hey, Walmart, come to town, um, because it's just not the atmosphere that our town has built, and they want to keep it small town, but they also understand that they need some of those things and they're willing to drive for those things and put convenience aside.
SPEAKER_01:So longtime residents of Ashland often point to the history of Ashland. What is unique or special about Ashland's history that make it uh just an outstanding community or just something unique for folks to go see?
SPEAKER_02:Yeah. Um, well, I'd say one part is it's the crossing. Uh, we have a hard limestone base in our creek, and that was the crossing of the Saline Ford. Um, so so right when Westwood expansion was happening um and manifest destiny, um, one of the primary routes to get you know through the Oregon Trail and the um way west was actually to come through Ashland. Um, and at the time it wasn't you know formally recognized, it was just a settlement. It happened to be here, it was a convenient spot for people. Um and then later on, when they went to go uh petition to turn it into a county, Saunders County needed a uh city uh to post as the the the town seat or the county seat. And so Ashland was uh chosen to do that, and then later that was transferred over to Wahoo. But um one other cool story I've heard about three or four times now, which is I'm definitely gonna have to double check it out. Double check the facts on it. Yeah, it has to be. If the internet says it, and if four people tell you, it has to be true. Um, but when they were in the process of determining what the state capitol's location would be, Ashland was a location on a commission of three gentlemen, and they had to vote on which place they wanted to put it. And so the reason Ashland didn't get uh chosen was because we had mosquitoes. But if you go, if you just go a little down the highway now, um there's no there's no mosquitoes in Lincoln. So uh that was that was the primary reason I heard. It's a funny one, and I definitely I had not heard that one before.
SPEAKER_01:So, what has Ashman done to cultivate its creative or artistic community? I think if I recall, you've done some pretty unique things.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, so we were actually first in the state. Um, this the state legislature approved a program called the Nebraska Creative Districts. Um, and what that entails is you can you have to create an overlay, demonstrate you've got the capacity to do art, um, have a strategic plan in place for it, and then you can apply for the dollars. At the time, the dollars were about 250,000 per grant, which is um pretty high for any type of creative program using uh state dollars. Um and so naturally having three galleries on one street, and then you have a bunch of artistic um types around town that like to sing, some you know, dance, everyone has a creative outlet. We formed a committee together and we became the first uh committee, and we actually are named the Flora District because before Ashland existed, um Flora City is what is is seen on the downtown flat maps, and uh we thought it'd be a great homage to what's what Ashland's history was before it actually was fully incorporated as Ashland. So um I I'd say through that creative district process, we've been able to fund a community choir, a community uh band. And we just had a performance with them on Sunday, and that went really well.
SPEAKER_01:And what kind of what kind of music, like heavy metal?
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, only heavy metal. No, they did uh holiday music uh for for the time of year we're in. Um, but it's just a collection of different people with different like careers and jobs and that get together, and even our school kids get together and they get together and just sing, and then they put on the concert for the community. Uh, we make it a free will donation, so that's really cool that you don't you don't have to pay to see it, but if you want to help support the arts and culture in that front, that's that's one way to do it. And uh one of our other projects we're working on, and it's almost through the finish line, is our Towers of History project.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I wanted to ask you about that. Tell folks about that.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, Towers of History is a sculpture that was made by the late Gene Ronka. Um, he had a vision to show Ashland's history because we are we we really do pride on our history a lot here. Um the the sculptures at the time, um, this has also changed over the course of the last 20 years of this process um being in play. But uh, you know, the Odo and Missouri uh um Native Americans as part of that, the Lewis and Clark. Uh we have even the space uh uh spaceship um that we we had on there uh because you know that's that's indicative to our our Nebraska's only astronaut who's from Ashland and also still lives here. So um so we want to be able to take these four statues and highlight um the different uh I guess ages of Ashland um from the very beginning to where we're at right now. So uh it's kind of a cool project. It's slated to be done in the spring. So I'm pretty excited about that.
SPEAKER_01:So what partnerships, public, private, nonprofit, have helped shape Ashland's recent success?
SPEAKER_02:So there are I first off, it takes it takes the village, really. Um so there is a lot of public and private partnerships. Some of the things that we do will go out and try to source grants, and then sometimes out of that, we'll go to our private partners and say, hey, if we get this, would you be willing to match this? So then we have more dollars to work with to execute programs or um, you know, deploy dollars into this type of uh project. And usually that's that goes really well. Um there's one um there's one partnership that kind of out of the blue didn't think would be, you know, initial gut reaction from economic development would be something that would be super fruitful, just uh, oh, it's good to have a partner in them, and we'll never see see anything out of it, is actually our National Guard camp. Um so Camp Ashland brings in soldiers and they train them up. And while they're getting trained there on their leadership courses, they get days off. And the guard leadership really wants them to be able to go to Ashland because it's a lot easier to uh you know corral them back to camp if they're in Ashland versus you know downtown Omaha or Lincoln. So uh they've been an excellent partner because they're bringing in new people, have no idea what our town is like, and then pushing them towards us. But in that, like the partnership itself has just grown over the last couple of years. So they helped us paint our tunnel for our Flora District program. Um, General Strong, the adjutant general of our state, lent us the army for the day to paint the tunnel. So, like little community partnerships like that. And then it's just kind of been a hey, will you help us with this? Uh, and then how can we help you with that? So it's been a fantastic partnership that's actually bloomed past. Economic development in the chamber. It's it's now with the city, and that's a great, a great place for that to be housed, and we're we're thankful for it. Um they did just have their military ball at our high school, which was really cool. Um so yeah, just I'd say it there's a lot of different pieces to it, but um overall it just depends on, I guess, the circumstance on when a private partner or a nonprofit is engaged uh for the particular project or program you're working on.
SPEAKER_01:So I've been out to Camp Ashwin, and one thing that really stuck out to me, one, the beautiful view, but two, the old boxing arena. Have you seen the boxing arena? I have. Folks need to see that if you can get on base. It's uh pretty historic that it's a little miniature little coliseum where apparently they used to box back in the good old days.
SPEAKER_02:Well, uh, I also have advocated maybe a couple times. I think city councils should just be hosted there. If you got an issue, you just you fight whatever city council member you is is against you on that. Um, I can see Chuck taking a lot of people, so that'd be really cool.
SPEAKER_01:Chuck, my money's on Chuck Neemeyer, that's correct.
SPEAKER_02:Uh yeah, mine too.
SPEAKER_01:Walk us through your vision for Ashen for the next 10 years. If you could sort of paint the perfect picture uh that you would like to see, what what do you think Ashen looks like in 10 years?
SPEAKER_02:I think we're bigger, but still small. And that sounds so contradictory. Um, but I think we know that this part of the state's growing. Um, Saunders County is the sixth fastest growing uh county in the state. And there's only seven counties actually growing in the whole state of Nebraska. So we are very much aware of the growth. Uh we see how Gretna's growing. We're looking at other places like uh Elkhorn and how they're growing. So we're we're very cognizant of our neighbors and how they're approaching growth. And we want to make sure that we're doing what we can uh to keep us enough removed from the metropolitan um busy life. Um close enough. So it's a it's definitely a balancing act, but I'd say within that 10 years, as we grow, we're doing it in a diligent manner, and we're not just gonna grow for the sake of growth. Um, we don't want to put up uh 700 new apartment buildings because we've got the space or we've got the project uh dollars to do it. Uh, we want to make sure that we've got enough land that is preserved for parks and little shops, and we want to be able to have more service-based industries in areas. And if we get to the chance of having any industrial, we want to have a spot for them. Uh, so I think, you know, in 10 years, it really comes down to I think we're gonna grow. Uh, there's no doubt about it, but we want to make sure we're growing in a thoughtful manner that doesn't take the downtown charm or the small town charm away from the mission because then we think we might have gotten lost somewhere along the way. So maintaining small town charm, but still trying to keep up with the big, big city lifestyles. Um yeah.
SPEAKER_01:So, what could other small Nebraska communities learn from what Ashwin's doing?
SPEAKER_02:Uh I think part of it is uh it's relationship-based. So if you have an economic developer, encourage them to go to all of the different meetings and learn what they can. If you don't have an economic developer, try to be that for your town. Um, try to attend different things that the state puts on. They have a ton of different programs through Department of Economic Development or Department of Labor. Get educated on maybe some of the projects that your town wants to do, and then see if there's a grant that matches that project and learn about that project and how that process comes about. Um I learned a lot through my colleagues, and we have a network where we, hey, I don't know if I'm doing this right. Could you give me a hand? And they could say, well, we tried it this way, try it that way and see if you get a different outcome. Uh so lean on your network, um, and it's okay to it's okay to fail is the big one. Um, you're not gonna hit a a perfect record every time. Um some years you could get 10%, 10% still better than 0%. Um so just being open to that and and cultivating those partnerships, cultivating the community lifestyle you want, and then making sure that you elect people that follow that and want to be a part of that and help bolster your vision for the for your town is a huge piece to that.
SPEAKER_01:If folks want to learn more about the Ashland Community Development Corporation, where should they go?
SPEAKER_02:Uh they can go to growashland.org.
SPEAKER_01:So, Caleb, one question. It's a trick question, sort of, uh, that we ask all of our guests. You get one word. What is the one word that to you best describes the state of Nebraska where the city of Ashland exists and is growing and remains just a complete gym between Lincoln and Omaha? What's your one word for Nebraska?
SPEAKER_02:I'd say the word would be steadfast.
SPEAKER_01:Can you explain?
SPEAKER_02:I mean, I've lived here for five years now and I've gotten to learn about Nebraskan culture, um, especially what Nebraska nice means, um, where everyone is terminally delightful, which is a fun word to say to my parents back home. Um I'd say steadfast for the reason is I feel our state's pretty grounded in what it does. And one of the things is, and it's weird to say for the not state government, but just in general of its population is reliable um and resilient. So we always try to find a solution to our problems, and we'll, you know, roll up our sleeves to get that done, and we'll we'll attack it 30 different ways. And those 30 ways might be the worst, but you know, it's 30 less ways to try until we find that right way. So I'd say there it's it's definitely in the grit, and and and that's just the very fabric of our of our state. I'd say steadfast is the right word.
SPEAKER_01:Caleb, thanks for joining us.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, thanks, Mark. I appreciate it.
SPEAKER_01:If you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite podcast app. Share it with someone who also might find it of interest. And please keep on listening as we release additional episodes on Nebraska. It's great communities like Ashland, Nebraska's number one industry, agriculture, and the folks who make it happen.
SPEAKER_00:Thanks. This has been Nighty Three, the podcast, sponsored by Nebraska's law firm, Rembolt Ludkey.
