LINCOLN, NEB. (November 7, 2005)—Governor Dave Heineman has awarded $505,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to Beaver City to help start up Kaufman Trailers of Nebraska, Inc., a manufacturer of construction, utility, and automobile trailers based in Lexington, North Carolina. The project will create 20 full time positions.

"The fact that we're seeing companies such as Kaufman Trailers select our state sends a clear signal about the positive business climate in Nebraska," Gov. Heineman said. "It's particularly encouraging when you consider that this is one of several companies that have decided to make rural communities in our state their base of operations. It is projects such as this that are part of our long-range vision for economic vitality in Nebraska."

Beaver City will loan the company $500,000 to purchase equipment used in the trailer manufacturing process and for working capital. The remaining $5,000 will be available to Beaver City for administrative expenses.

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.

An additional $1 million investment will go toward construction of a 21,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, 960 sq. ft. office building, equipment purchases and working capital.

The new Nebraska manufacturing facility represents an expansion of the North Carolina company, which currently manufactures and sells trailers to consumers east of the Mississippi River. The goal for the Beaver City facility is to manufacture and market flatbed trailers to commercial and agricultural users throughout the central plains and western states, including Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado. Eventually, the company plans to market trailers to consumers in the Pacific Northwest and southern California.

Established in 1987, Kaufman Trailers, Inc., has become a key manufacturer of utility, equipment, and auto transport trailers, manufacturing 47 models with 200 variations designed to meet the specific needs of its users.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Pat Langan at 800-426-6505, 402-471-3766,

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Stew Jobes at 308-385-6355, or email:

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