Northwest Nebraska Development Corporation Executive Director Brenda Johnson has resigned, effective at the end of the week, and is moving out of the area. She gave no indication of her specific plans.

NNDC board president Dr James Dickey says Johnson's resignation came as a surprise to the board, which hates to see her leave after doing a great job for 2-1/2 years.

It's Johnson's second resignation in as many months. She left the Crawford City Council in May, citing work and a move to Chadron.

The NNDC board recently laid off Business Manager Jodene Penny in a cost-cutting move triggered by a smaller financial contribution from the city of Chadron, but Dickey says the organization's finances have stabilized.

He's not sure when the search for Johnson's successor will begin. He says the board will discuss the process to use and whether to name an interim or acting director at its next meeting next Wednesday.