Dirt was turned Wednesday afternoon during the groundbreaking for the latest hotel to be constructed in Hastings. The My Place Hotels of America Hastings location is independently owned by DJ&R Investments LLC, and operated by Venerts Hotel Management Inc. It is the first My Place Hotel developed by the DJ&R partnership. Having been a co-owner of the Comfort Inn of Hastings for the last 21 years, Larry Schnase has long been a leader in both market and brand-wide performance.

The former Bubba Burger plant in Industrial Park West is up and running under new ownership, employing 32 people with that number to increase by the end of the year. Hastings Utility Board members voted 5-0 during their regular meeting Thursday to recommend approval of the request from the Flanders Provisions Co. for $125,000 from Hastings Utilities’ economic development funds. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Hastings City Council.

The city of Hastings is receiving $850,000 to help spur workforce housing in the community. City officials learned Monday Hastings is among Nebraska communities to receive LB518 Rural Workforce Housing Development Funds. The Hastings Economic Development Corp. will serve as the nonprofit development organization overseeing the local Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act funds. North Park Commons has been identified as the project to benefit from the funds.

The Hastings Economic Development Corp. has seen a lot of interest in its real estate holdings. Bob Wilson, who handles real estate for HEDC gave updates on those holdings during the HEDC annual meeting, Thursday at The Lark. That includes the 93-acre North Park Commons — just east of existing businesses along Osborne Drive East between 26th and 33rd streets, and north of the building that houses Dunham’s Sports and Tractor Supply.

In his 7 1/2 years with the Hastings Economic Development Corp., Dave Rippe has had a hand in everything from AGP opening a $100 million expansion and Thermo King bringing 100 new jobs, to helping new businesses like First Street Brewing and Pacha Soap get their start. That breadth of projects is what has been the most fun about his job.