Vibrant Louisville stakes reputation on full-service approach, “big town” accessibility

LINCOLN, NEB. (April 4, 2006)—Folks in Louisville, Neb. (pop. 1,046), are proud of the Governor’s Showcase Community designation they earned in 2002. Long before Louisville officials applied for showcase consideration, they had implemented a progressive “asset inventory” approach toward meeting community needs, always ensuring that short- and long-term goals were consistent. The list of projects they submitted for judges’ consideration, incorporated funding from the federal Community Development Block Grant program, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Nebraska’s Community Development Assistance Act, and was impressive:

• Administered two separate housing rehabilitation programs

• Participated in the Cass County Housing Study

• Conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the municipal sanitary sewer collection system

• Reconstructed vital public infrastructure in the central business district bringing it into full compliance with the American with Disabilities Act

• Conducted a municipal water supply study

• Constructed a $2.6 million wastewater treatment facility

• Renovated Ash Grove ball diamond

• Constructed a 10,000-sq.ft. fire barn

Earning the designation spurred Louisville to pursue new projects. High on the agenda was creation of a mass-produced brochure that highlighted the Showcase Community designation and promoted Louisville as a “vibrant, full-service community with big-town location accessibility.”

Additionally, Louisville built and annexed a new subdivision; undertook numerous street improvements; built a new water tower and planned future water system improvements; and passed a bond issue to fund a new assisted living wing for the care center.

“The Showcase designation has instilled a renewed sense of pride in our residents, helped attract new residents, and built momentum for projects we want to achieve,” said Dee Arias, city clerk/treasurer.

The Showcase Community Designation honors one community per year in conjunction with observance of Community Development (CD) Week. It recognizes those communities that have demonstrated exceptional capacity during the past five to 10 years to: identify development goals and strategies, combine local, state and federal resources to achieve those goals, and accomplish major projects that positively impact the community.

Governor Dave Heineman will officially proclaim CD Week in Nebraska, designate the 2006 Showcase Community, and present awards from the cities of Lincoln and Omaha on April 17.

For more information about the 2006 CD Week, or CDBG program, contact Jerod Trouba at 800-426-6505, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Jerod Trouba at 800-426-6505, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it