Jonathan Jank has spent more than a decade helping Seward County grow, and the nation is taking notice.
Consultant Connect named Jank, president and CEO of the Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership, one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers for 2025.
Consultant Connect, a consulting agency that bridges the gap between economic developers and site location consultants, selected the honorees based on their exemplary leadership, innovative strategies and measurable impact in building thriving communities.
Jank has been part of Consultant Connect through the SCCDP partnership with Lincoln Area Development Partnership since 2016. He attends the organization's ECONMIX event each year, and he and the other 49 recipients will accept their awards at this year’s event in Florida on Nov. 12.
Concordia University originally drew Jank to Seward. He earned his undergraduate degree in 2008 and his graduate degree in 2011, both in business administration. He has worked in chamber economic development ever since and took on the president and CEO roles in 2016.
“It’s all been in Seward County,” he said. “It’s been a fun industry to grow in, and Seward County is a great place for us to raise our family. It’s a gift to get to be a part of growing the place that you call home.”
Jank said the SCCDP is a team effort, and he is only as successful as the staff members and board of directors members he works with.
“I'm so proud to work with them on a day-to-day basis, and our wonderful members that choose to invest in our work, both on the public and the private sector side, we win together, and we've been fortunate that people have had that collaborative spirit here in Seward County, and that we continue to grow,” he said. “That's really been a blessing, and we don't take that for granted.”
Jank said he is also grateful to the community leaders who have invested in the work of the SCCDP and have been innovative and open-minded.
For example, the Seward/Lincoln Regional Rail Campus is the first industrial park in Seward County’s history. Jank’s predecessor started the project 15 years ago, and it has now created more than 300 jobs and will soon have more than $300 million in investments.
Jank said the SCCDP’s strategic planning efforts have largely focused on expanding child care, housing and broadband connectivity in Seward County. The organization has also helped welcome many new member businesses over the years.
“We're grateful that we are able to work on some of those big issues that no one person can tackle alone,” he said. “I think that's the beauty of chamber economic development groups, that we were the conveners of the business community to come together, to speak with one voice, to put together investments where we can really make a generationally transformational impact on projects.”
Economic development consultant with Nebraska Public Power District, Brian Vasa, who was named a Top 50 Economic Developer last year, nominated Jank for the honor. Jank said he has worked on many projects with Vasa, who has been in the field for 40 years, and Vasa has been encouraging and supportive of his growth.
“I can’t think of anybody else that would be more deserving of this award, just because of his dedication to his community,” Vasa said.
Vasa said Jank’s strong commitment to faith and family stands out. Although he works substantial hours, he prioritizes being there for his kids and his wife. He also has a genuine connection with those he works with and cares deeply about helping people.
“I've definitely seen Jonathan work on some really amazing large projects and small projects and his dedication to getting things done, done correctly, working with all the parties that you need to – the city, the county, the company, the state – and being able to do all that,” Vasa said. “He makes it seem so easy when he works on projects, and he's great to be around.”
Jank said he is honored to receive this recognition and has been positively overwhelmed with the support he has received throughout his career, from people both investing in him as a professional and caring about him as a person.
“It's not just about getting the job done – it's enjoying it in the process of building lasting relationships,” Jank said. “We say in the chamber, we're in the relationship business. We really try to get to know people on a personal basis and get to rejoice with people, but also deal with a lot of life's challenges together as well. I think just having those relationships just makes all of this so meaningful.”
