LINCOLN, NEB. (November 9, 2005)—Governor Dave Heineman has awarded $303,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to Lancaster County to help open a Tractor Supply Company (TSC) distribution center in Waverly. The 425,000 sq. ft. facility will include 10,000 sq. ft. for offices. The project is expected to create 50 jobs.

Of the amount, $300,000 will go toward the purchase of machinery and equipment. Lancaster County will use the remaining $3,000 for administrative costs.

The county will match $200,000 from its reuse fund for machinery and equipment, and TSC will invest an additional $2.2 million, bringing the equipment purchases to $2.7 million. The total project activities include land acquisition, building and public infrastructure estimated at $15.6 million.

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

TSC is the largest operator of retail farm and ranch stores in the U.S., with more than 550 stores in 34 states focused on supplying products for recreational farmers and ranchers, rural residents, tradesmen and small business owners. Tractor Supply stores are currently concentrated east of the Rocky Mountains in rural communities and in towns outlying major metropolitan markets. A typical store features 15,000-18,000 sq. ft. selling space, and offers livestock and pet products; maintenance products for agricultural and rural use; hardware and tools; seasonal products, including lawn and garden power equipment; truck, trailer and towing products; and work clothing.

Founded in 1938 as a mail order catalog business selling tractor parts, today’s TSC is a leading retailer with revenues exceeding $1.7 billion in 2004.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Dave Honz at 800-426-6505, 402-471-3763,

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