Organizations Find Opportunity in the Kearney, NE, Region
Kearney is full of diverse organizations in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, and it’s easy to see why.
Decades of Innovation
More than 43 years ago, Norris Marshall, founder of BluePrint Engines, began building engines for neighbors, friends, circle track racers, street rodders and drag racers in Kearney. Today, the same company builds crate engines by the thousands in its state-of-the-art, 210,000-square-foot factory.
“I chose Kearney because it is in Nebraska and close to family,” Marshall says. “My wife and I … wanted the quality of life that mid-Nebraska offers. It has a small-town feel and great community, city and county governments. Kearney creates a welcoming feeling.”
Serving the Community
Brenda Cochran, corporate communications director for Hot Meals USA, shares those sentiments.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Kearney, the organization provides meals to people affected by disasters.
“When Hot Meals USA was developed in 2017, the Kearney community was very supportive of our mission,” Cochran says. “People and organizations stepped up to help us financially, and any time we provide meals locally, there are always volunteers willing to help.”
When a disaster occurs, Hot Meals USA responds when invited by local government officials.
While Hot Meals USA has mobile cooking units stored in a warehouse and recently moved into a temporary location, the organization plans to build its own permanent building on the east side of Kearney. This facility will have the warehouse space for equipment, offices, an industrial kitchen, meeting space and food storage for frozen, cold and dry goods.
“Having the support of members of the Kearney community is vital for us as a nonprofit organization,” Cochran says.
The Kearney Difference
When Tyson Christiansen set out to expand Maverick Metal into the United States, he was looking for opportunities to grow, but he found something more. After touring communities from North Texas to South Dakota, one place stood out for its business climate and quality of life: Kearney.
Christiansen, founder and CEO of Maverick Metal USA, relocated his family and opened the company’s U.S. location in Kearney in March 2025. Originally founded in Canada, Maverick Metal supplies permanent and temporary steel fencing for cattle and livestock operations.
While the move south supported business growth, it also provided an opportunity to establish roots in a place that felt like home.
Christiansen appreciated the well-maintained downtown area, strong school system, clean and safe environment, and a few welcome surprises, like a hockey arena and numerous golf courses.
He is optimistic about his family’s future and company’s growth in Kearney. He’s even encouraging Canadian cattle feeders to explore the area.
“I tell them, ‘Take a look at this place. It’s a great place to raise a family and a great place to do business,’” he says.
– By Maura Keller and Heather Cherry
Get to Know Kearney
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