MAY 14, 2010 (ALLIANCE, NEB.)—Nebraska Diplomats, and company, community, and government officials gathered in Alliance today to celebrate the economic contributions of the state’s businesses and industries.

Governor Dave Heineman welcomed guests during lunch and presented plaques to the newly-named Nebraska Economic Development Certified Communities of Alliance, Beatrice, Gering, Hartington and Laurel.

Diplomats President Dan Koch presented the Diplomats Presidents Award to American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, the parent company of Alliance Railcar Facility in Alliance, Nebraska.

Alliance Railcar Facility was established in 1977 by Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), a subsidiary of Central and South West Corporation (CSW). SWEPCO located its shop in Alliance, because of its proximity to the Powder River Basin that produces more than 350 million tons of coal annually, moving it all by railcar. In 1979, the Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), another CSW subsidiary, joined SWEPCO in the ownership and operation of Alliance Railcar Facility.

Alliance Railcar Facility is an Association of America Railroads (AAR) M-1003 certified facility  that employs 31 full-time permanent workers, and four temporary (two custodians and two mechanical) employees of Sun Technical. The facility is certified in reconditioning truck components, heavy wreck repair, wheel and axle inspections and roller bearing mounting. Since its merger with American Electric Power, the facility has not received one exception during any AAR audit, and is recognized as one of the premier railcar repair facilities in the United States.

For information on American Electric Company and Alliance Railcar Facility, contact Jill Tolstedt at 308-762-3235, ext. 27, toll-free at 866-526-7109 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

With a membership of 386 business executives and community leaders, the nonprofit Nebraska Diplomats Inc. is the largest economic development organization in Nebraska that allies with other economic development organizations to promote the state’s business climate and quality of life.

For information on the Nebraska Diplomats, Inc., visit www.nediplomats.org or call 402-471-4592.