In one year’s time, six communities are now ED certified

NORFOLK, NEB. (May 15, 2006)—A trio of newly designated economic development certified communities were unveiled today as the program marked its year anniversary during the 2006 Business and Industry Recognition Day celebration.

The Nebraska Diplomats, which host the annual Business and Industry Recognition Day, also sponsor the Economic Development Certified Community program along with a host of development partners. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development administers the certification program that provides technical assistance to communities throughout the application process. The program is one of only a few in the nation that recognize communities for economic development preparedness.

The newly designated communities are:

Auburn—County seat of one of the original eight counties in the Nebraska Territory and the oldest “Tree City” in the state. Auburn’s retail trade area encompasses part of four states, and it offers retail site location assistance and small business technical assistance. Auburn also has a 25-acre industrial site ready for business expansions or locations.

Fremont—The city’s history is rich in terms of blazing trails, be it the Mormon Trail in the 1800s, as an original stop along the old Lincoln Highway, or in its deeply rooted connection to the state’s railroads. Home to more than 70 manufacturers, Fremont offers businesses interested in expanding or locating there a choice of several industrial buildings or controlled sites. Because the city also was the site of last year’s Business and Industry Recognition Day, during which the EDCC program was announced, it also can now claim the distinction of being one of the first six communities to complete the process.

South Sioux City—In 1893, the communities of Covington, Stanton and South Sioux combined to form greater South Sioux City, a progressive community that continues to excel in coalition building and cooperation while maintaining its motto “Quality of LIfe is the Cardinal Rule.” South Sioux City is one of the state’s fastest growing towns, registering a 23% population increase since 1990. The city’s diverse economy embraces a number of businesses, a new technology center, and available sites for business expansions or locations. In 2003, it was recognized as a Nebraska Showcase Community. Today it adds “one of six certified economic development communities in the state of Nebraska” to its accolades.

“All the certified communities have strong community and business leadership and involvement,” said Don Heimes, president of the Nebraska Diplomats, Inc. “The certification process is further evidence of the communities commitment to aggressively continue their economic development efforts.”

To qualify for certification, communities must meet certain criteria set out in the application form. The certification process is ongoing and noncompetitive. Communities that exhibit the required documented economic development readiness as specified in the program and approved by a review committee will earn certification. Each applicant is judged against standards that include organization, local industry target identification and workforce issues, infrastructure, local financing and business assistance, building and site availability, and other program parameters.

Auburn, Fremont and South Sioux City join Ord, Holdrege and Norfolk as Nebraska Economic Development Certified Communities.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Linda Black at 308-995-8742, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it