--- title: 2023 Excellence in Economic Impact description: Dusty Birge receives an award on behalf of Fast Forward. image: https://hs.ff-ai.com/hubfs/Dusty%20and%20Derek-1.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/2023-excellence-in-economic-impact#main-content) ![](https://hs.ff-ai.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fast-Forward-Logo-tp-bg-color-1.png?width=1000&height=1000&name=Fast-Forward-Logo-tp-bg-color-1.png) - [HOME](https://hs.ff-ai.com/) - [SOLUTIONS](https://hs.ff-ai.com/solutions) - [ABOUT](https://hs.ff-ai.com/about) - [NEWS](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news) - [CAREERS](https://hs.ff-ai.com/careers) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [HOME](https://hs.ff-ai.com/) - [SOLUTIONS](https://hs.ff-ai.com/solutions) - [ABOUT](https://hs.ff-ai.com/about) - [NEWS](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news) - [CAREERS](https://hs.ff-ai.com/careers) - [Contact us](https://hs.ff-ai.com/contact) [Contact us](https://hs.ff-ai.com/contact) Apr 29, 2024 3:05:22 PM # 2023 Excellence in Economic Impact ![Picture of Fast Forward](https://hs.ff-ai.com/hs-fs/hubfs/qt=q_95-1.jpg?width=50&name=qt=q_95-1.jpg) [Fast Forward](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/author/fast-forward) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/2023-excellence-in-economic-impact) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/2023-excellence-in-economic-impact) ![Dusty and Derek](https://21348378.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21348378/hubfs/Dusty%20and%20Derek.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=Dusty%20and%20Derek.jpg) **Founder Dusty Birge and Kearney Chamber of Commerce CEO Derek Rusher pictured above. ** ![008-Fast-Forward-RE-Full-Page-Ad-v04-PRINT_TechAdvantage](https://21348378.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21348378/hubfs/008-Fast-Forward-RE-Full-Page-Ad-v04-PRINT_TechAdvantage.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=008-Fast-Forward-RE-Full-Page-Ad-v04-PRINT_TechAdvantage.jpg) **Powerline inspection automation helps electric utilities decrease inspection costs while directly increasing reliability. ** ![FFVideoShoot-13](https://21348378.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21348378/hubfs/FFVideoShoot-13.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=FFVideoShoot-13.jpg) **Fast Forward is the only system capable of inspecting entire systems without increasing rates to the consumer. ** The team at Fast Forward has earned an Excellence in Economic Impact award for 2023 from the [Development Council for Buffalo County.](https://www.facebook.com/growbuffalocounty?__cft__[0]=AZUJrSBl-DVJY4aHYbAMwtAUJEIMcXZAqzsuNL74ywM_Cch4X8rP8LhUKyLNzM4aTQVj9RD0Xklaz8F2RHWl97exVxODHueKJcxOD1SS0vcD8OPEIWQ6Brsgwr7eY7J50GHZFe0DfqbTrixgqF9lLW1K9EEwDL0tXVr4B00QYGdsZcHM9GcjULZRALfIRdQWiR4&__tn__=-]K-R)   We’re honored by the recognition reflecting the entire [Fast Forward](https://www.facebook.com/FForwardai?__cft__[0]=AZUJrSBl-DVJY4aHYbAMwtAUJEIMcXZAqzsuNL74ywM_Cch4X8rP8LhUKyLNzM4aTQVj9RD0Xklaz8F2RHWl97exVxODHueKJcxOD1SS0vcD8OPEIWQ6Brsgwr7eY7J50GHZFe0DfqbTrixgqF9lLW1K9EEwDL0tXVr4B00QYGdsZcHM9GcjULZRALfIRdQWiR4&__tn__=-]K-R) team, customers, investors, and community members who have supported our start from scratch.   Founder Dusty Birge said, "I've had my fair share of trials and challenging experiences, but we've turned the corner and have a solid team in place to scale the business nationwide."    Fast Forward uses hardware and software they have developed to automated powerline inspections for electric utilities, preventing power outages and wildfires. Operators install a vehicle mounted camera system that captures inspection grade data of over 30,000 poles per week.    The [Development Council for Buffalo County](https://www.facebook.com/growbuffalocounty?__cft__[0]=AZUJrSBl-DVJY4aHYbAMwtAUJEIMcXZAqzsuNL74ywM_Cch4X8rP8LhUKyLNzM4aTQVj9RD0Xklaz8F2RHWl97exVxODHueKJcxOD1SS0vcD8OPEIWQ6Brsgwr7eY7J50GHZFe0DfqbTrixgqF9lLW1K9EEwDL0tXVr4B00QYGdsZcHM9GcjULZRALfIRdQWiR4&__tn__=-]K-R), is a certified community from the [Nebraska Department of Economic Development](https://www.facebook.com/DevelopNebraska?__cft__[0]=AZUJrSBl-DVJY4aHYbAMwtAUJEIMcXZAqzsuNL74ywM_Cch4X8rP8LhUKyLNzM4aTQVj9RD0Xklaz8F2RHWl97exVxODHueKJcxOD1SS0vcD8OPEIWQ6Brsgwr7eY7J50GHZFe0DfqbTrixgqF9lLW1K9EEwDL0tXVr4B00QYGdsZcHM9GcjULZRALfIRdQWiR4&__tn__=-]K-R) and close partner with the [Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce](https://www.facebook.com/KACCNebraska?__cft__[0]=AZUJrSBl-DVJY4aHYbAMwtAUJEIMcXZAqzsuNL74ywM_Cch4X8rP8LhUKyLNzM4aTQVj9RD0Xklaz8F2RHWl97exVxODHueKJcxOD1SS0vcD8OPEIWQ6Brsgwr7eY7J50GHZFe0DfqbTrixgqF9lLW1K9EEwDL0tXVr4B00QYGdsZcHM9GcjULZRALfIRdQWiR4&__tn__=-]K-R).   Buffalo County and the City of Kearney is a wonderful option to start a business and raise a family. Come [Visit Kearney](https://www.facebook.com/VisitKearney?__cft__[0]=AZUJrSBl-DVJY4aHYbAMwtAUJEIMcXZAqzsuNL74ywM_Cch4X8rP8LhUKyLNzM4aTQVj9RD0Xklaz8F2RHWl97exVxODHueKJcxOD1SS0vcD8OPEIWQ6Brsgwr7eY7J50GHZFe0DfqbTrixgqF9lLW1K9EEwDL0tXVr4B00QYGdsZcHM9GcjULZRALfIRdQWiR4&__tn__=-]K-R) and then stay! The [Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce](https://www.facebook.com/KACCNebraska?__cft__[0]=AZUJrSBl-DVJY4aHYbAMwtAUJEIMcXZAqzsuNL74ywM_Cch4X8rP8LhUKyLNzM4aTQVj9RD0Xklaz8F2RHWl97exVxODHueKJcxOD1SS0vcD8OPEIWQ6Brsgwr7eY7J50GHZFe0DfqbTrixgqF9lLW1K9EEwDL0tXVr4B00QYGdsZcHM9GcjULZRALfIRdQWiR4&__tn__=-]K-R) and teams at the [University of Nebraska at Kearney](https://www.facebook.com/UNKearney?__cft__[0]=AZUJrSBl-DVJY4aHYbAMwtAUJEIMcXZAqzsuNL74ywM_Cch4X8rP8LhUKyLNzM4aTQVj9RD0Xklaz8F2RHWl97exVxODHueKJcxOD1SS0vcD8OPEIWQ6Brsgwr7eY7J50GHZFe0DfqbTrixgqF9lLW1K9EEwDL0tXVr4B00QYGdsZcHM9GcjULZRALfIRdQWiR4&__tn__=-]K-R) have been very instrumental and helpful throughout our journey.   You can learn more about activity from Fast Forward here: [https://ff-ai.com/news](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fff-ai.com%2Fnews%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3fXqjCe_3ocjT-bKz6NsupFZsiJ17z4FROjEAGFYhWjl-udC46c68rnlM_aem_AYZHPJ-YBqCjtFOEOFxKKg7bevza4e4mgwVMh63UDuAWwqyYO_q-8d_TPdvUxG5LjuSOFdUd0U_n8batr2eChM5I&h=AT0JLLNqMc5v66wZVt61OD8Siv3CRn8kr9pnPx19pLX-kBElj50feqaFBu7Khjiy9DO98sTl-OP_vWua77CYln1yCBaANIF8ILCpk1ThJ4xGE3F29AwKAUoDslsQunk7pw&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT2Va9KPmPU7JgaUChiXLa9FX7MUuAb1e4zEoVqV4NNh6O0cJjYAHI_nI2dJ8X-_KSeRQW3po8kB6D1LtVPDzsnCmvu6UxkGv6gg4V9VB1SupMmybUAFuoLsFVV3_rlTAfF3H0vvOeu-8eXcwc2PGqXWCt8FEus1ECsLa6AE1eAaTIgM1x3j0EP2045Cne8tSEynz9EwBA) . You may have also seen the episode on [Nebraska Public Media](https://www.facebook.com/nebraskapublicmedia?__cft__[0]=AZUJrSBl-DVJY4aHYbAMwtAUJEIMcXZAqzsuNL74ywM_Cch4X8rP8LhUKyLNzM4aTQVj9RD0Xklaz8F2RHWl97exVxODHueKJcxOD1SS0vcD8OPEIWQ6Brsgwr7eY7J50GHZFe0DfqbTrixgqF9lLW1K9EEwDL0tXVr4B00QYGdsZcHM9GcjULZRALfIRdQWiR4&__tn__=-]K-R)'s 'What If' series.   [Fast Forward](https://www.facebook.com/FForwardai?__cft__[0]=AZUJrSBl-DVJY4aHYbAMwtAUJEIMcXZAqzsuNL74ywM_Cch4X8rP8LhUKyLNzM4aTQVj9RD0Xklaz8F2RHWl97exVxODHueKJcxOD1SS0vcD8OPEIWQ6Brsgwr7eY7J50GHZFe0DfqbTrixgqF9lLW1K9EEwDL0tXVr4B00QYGdsZcHM9GcjULZRALfIRdQWiR4&__tn__=-]K-R) is a startup output from the [NMotion](https://www.facebook.com/NMotionStartup?__cft__[0]=AZUJrSBl-DVJY4aHYbAMwtAUJEIMcXZAqzsuNL74ywM_Cch4X8rP8LhUKyLNzM4aTQVj9RD0Xklaz8F2RHWl97exVxODHueKJcxOD1SS0vcD8OPEIWQ6Brsgwr7eY7J50GHZFe0DfqbTrixgqF9lLW1K9EEwDL0tXVr4B00QYGdsZcHM9GcjULZRALfIRdQWiR4&__tn__=-]K-R) startup accelerator out of Lincoln, NE that is now creating jobs and brining in new revenue for the state and local community and has helped utilities mitigate over $1M of power outages. Pictured below is Fast Forward CEO [Dusty Birge](https://www.facebook.com/dusty.birge.1?__cft__[0]=AZUJrSBl-DVJY4aHYbAMwtAUJEIMcXZAqzsuNL74ywM_Cch4X8rP8LhUKyLNzM4aTQVj9RD0Xklaz8F2RHWl97exVxODHueKJcxOD1SS0vcD8OPEIWQ6Brsgwr7eY7J50GHZFe0DfqbTrixgqF9lLW1K9EEwDL0tXVr4B00QYGdsZcHM9GcjULZRALfIRdQWiR4&__tn__=-]K-R), and Kearney Area Chamber CEO [Derek Rusher](https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-rusher/). [Powerline](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/tag/powerline), [Utility](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/tag/utility), [grid reliability](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/tag/grid-reliability), [GIS](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/tag/gis), [Powerline Inspection](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/tag/powerline-inspection) ## Related posts [![](https://hs.ff-ai.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jaxon.jpeg?height=200&name=Jaxon.jpeg)](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/jaxon-worley-joins-the-team) ## [Jaxon Worley joins the team](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/jaxon-worley-joins-the-team) ![Picture of Fast Forward](https://hs.ff-ai.com/hs-fs/hubfs/qt=q_95-1.jpg?width=50&name=qt=q_95-1.jpg) [Fast Forward](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/author/fast-forward) Apr 5, 2024 3:57:05 PM Continued growth at Fast Forward creates more local jobs in Kearney, NE. [Read more](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/jaxon-worley-joins-the-team) [![](https://hs.ff-ai.com/hs-fs/hubfs/rs=w_1280%20(7).webp?height=200&name=rs=w_1280%20(7).webp)](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/f/ryan-zadrazil-joins-the-team) ## [Ryan Zadrazil - Joins the Team](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/f/ryan-zadrazil-joins-the-team) ![Picture of Fast Forward](https://hs.ff-ai.com/hs-fs/hubfs/qt=q_95-1.jpg?width=50&name=qt=q_95-1.jpg) [Fast Forward](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/author/fast-forward) Jan 23, 2023 1:26:00 PM Ryan Zadrazil, Business Development Manager, joins the Fast Forward team, another addition to the... [Read more](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/f/ryan-zadrazil-joins-the-team) [![](https://hs.ff-ai.com/hs-fs/hubfs/rs=w_1280%20(8).webp?height=200&name=rs=w_1280%20(8).webp)](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/f/cierra-vogt-joins-the-team) ## [Cierra Vogt - Joins the Team](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/f/cierra-vogt-joins-the-team) ![Picture of Fast Forward](https://hs.ff-ai.com/hs-fs/hubfs/qt=q_95-1.jpg?width=50&name=qt=q_95-1.jpg) [Fast Forward](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/author/fast-forward) Jan 17, 2023 1:27:00 PM Cierra Vogt, Project Manager, joins the Fast Forward team located in Kearney, another addition to... [Read more](https://hs.ff-ai.com/news/f/cierra-vogt-joins-the-team) [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/105578515351249) [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/company/76669085/) - [Careers](https://hs.ff-ai.com/careers) - [Contact Us](https://hs.ff-ai.com/contact) - [Privacy Policy](https://hs.ff-ai.com/privacy-policy) --- PRIVACY POLICY: Fast Forward does not sell any information from its visitors through the use of its website, blogs, in-person, or electronic communications. 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