Fairbury,
NE----Lambriar Animal Health Care, LLC is a wholesale distributor of
vaccines, medications and kennel supplies to the commercial dog
breeding business. A devastating fire at their facility in Mahaska,
Kansas provided an opportunity to relocate to Fairbury, Nebraska in
1998. Since moving to Fairbury, Lambriar has experienced double-digit
sales growth. The addition of 19 new employees created a need for a
larger facility and prompted the City of Fairbury to apply for a
Community Development Block Grant in the Economic Development category
in 2002 on behalf of Lambriar.
Julie Katz, Director of Marketing and Project Coordinator, has been a
Community Development Specialist for the past 12 years. With her
extensive experience in economic development programs she worked with
the Nebraska State Department of Economic Development to craft a
Community Development Block Grant proposal for the Lambriar Animal
Health Care facility. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development
recognized the need and the City of Fairbury was awarded $151,222. This
amount helped to leverage a $300,000 purchase of a larger building with
Lambriar contributing $153,073.
Since relocating to its current facility, Lambriar has grown from 23 to
70 employees in only three years, becoming a major contributor to
Fairbury’s economy. Not only has Lambriar gained economic success, but
they also provided local jobs and occupy a building that otherwise
would have remained empty. Lambriar is an active member of the
community, promoting local patronage, supporting school programs and
local charity events.
According to Katz, Lambriar is currently working with Dave Gilfillan of
the Department of Economic Development and Jim Ferneau, Fairbury City
Administrator, putting together a new proposal which, if approved, will
enable Lambriar to expand once again, retaining 10 jobs and creating 10
new jobs.
The CDBG funds have proven to be extremely beneficial to this local
business and Fairbury’s citizens. Lambriar has paved the way for other
community projects to apply and qualify for funding through the
Community Development Block Grant Program. The overwhelming success of
this project is now considered a benchmark for other community projects
seeking grant funds.
According to Mayor Gene Mueller, “We are very excited about the future
growth of Lambriar Animal Health Care in Fairbury and the use of CDBG
funding will ensure that Lambriar’s growth will remain in Nebraska.”
Contact Information
Dave Honz (DED Representative)
(402) 471-3763 • (800) 426-6505
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