Complacency is not in Ravenna’s vocabulary

LINCOLN, NEB. (April 13, 2006)—Since its 2004 Showcase Community designation, the word in Ravenna (pop. 1,317) has been “progress.” Residents, Chamber of Commerce and economic development officials, and Ravenna’s mayor and city council members alike, take every opportunity to promote their community as a “Showcase Community”. In turn, the designation, coupled with the long list of Ravenna’s successful projects, are helping recruit new businesses and families to the area.

The community is proud to share its ongoing successes, which include:

• A Veteran’s Memorial with more than 700 names dedicated in late 2004.

• The addition of the new Grand View Inn in 2005.

• Expansion of the local True Value Hardware store in 2005, using tax increment financing in 2005.

• A new “one of a kind” overpass built as the result of a nine month project between the city of Ravenna and the state of Nebraska.

• Ground broken for Abengoa Bioenergy of Ravenna, L.L.C., an ethanol plant that will create 50-60 jobs and open in 2007.

• Community Development Block Grant funding for housing rehabilitation projects and updating the city’s comprehensive plan.

• Additional cells added to the city’s water/wastewater lagoon system to be completed by December 2006.

• Acquisition of a new emergency unit that upgrades the fire department’s current basic life support unit to an advanced life support unit.

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 INFORMATION, CONTACT:
For more information about the 2006 CD Week, or CDBG program, contact Jerod Trouba at 800-426-6505, or email: ncip1. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it