LINCOLN, NEB. (July 7, 2005)--Gov. Dave Heineman awarded $255,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to the village of Deweese to help Deweese Products, Inc. begin operations. The project will create 12 full-time positions in a community with a population of 74.

“I want to commend the efforts of all those in Deweese involved in this new business development,” Gov. Heineman said. “The fact that a dozen new jobs are coming to a community of this size shows true commitment to the economic development goals local officials have set, and I could not be more pleased with the result.”

The village will lend the company $250,000 to be used for working capital and the purchase of packaging and handling equipment and machinery. The remaining $5,000 will be available to Deweese for administrative expenses.

U.S. Bank, N.A., private investors and the Deweese Betterment Non-Profit Corporation will invest a combined $512,000 to provide additional working capital, as well as in-kind support in the form of donated land, services and materials used in building the 5,000 sq. foot production facility and detached office space. The Deweese Betterment Non-Profit Corporation will own and operate the company, which manufactures canola oil-based spreads and dips.

Two years ago, a group of local citizens began actively pursuing business opportunities that would create quality jobs for the south central Nebraska village. They formed the Deweese Betterment Non-Profit Corporation to oversee local development efforts. The unique ownership arrangement will allow profits generated by Deweese Products to be invested in community infrastructure projects. The University of Nebraska Food Science and Marketing Center is also involved in the endeavor and is providing training and product quality assurance.

Project funding is from a program administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development that assists with the development of businesses and communities. Federal funds are made available to Nebraska from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s CDBG program.

For more info contact:

Aaron Sanderford, Gov’s Office, 402-471-1967
Stew Jobes, DED, 308-385-6355