(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman has awarded the town of Benkelman a $144,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to assist Valley Farm Industries, LLC, with an expansion of its current facility. The project is expected to nearly double the current staff of eight by creating seven new positions.

The grant will provide funding for Valley Farm Industries to buy the land and building it has been leasing since opening two years ago. Valley Farm Industries, BWTELCOM and AmFirst Bank will provide $294,000 in matching funds to complete the expansion. Of the total grant, $4,000 will be available to the city of Benkelman to help with administrative costs.

“I’m pleased this grant will be going to help a relatively new business make improvements and expand in Benkleman,” Gov. Heineman said. “The CDBG program has been very useful in helping new and established businesses grow in Nebraska, and this is another great example of how partnerships between government and the private sector can have positive results in local communities.”

Valley Farm owners plan to remodel the former farm implements building to increase production space for the trailers manufactured there. The expansion involves creating greater ceiling clearance by removing second floor space, installing new lighting, updating HVAC and electrical systems, and using lumber recycled from the second floor to build additional storage space.

The company’s trailers, which have been sold to customers from Indiana to California, and North Dakota to Texas, are designed to haul agricultural and commercial products, including corn gluten and distillers’ grains from ethanol plants, seed corn, vegetables, grains, mulch, fertilizer, and poultry litter.

Federal funds are made available to Nebraska from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s CDBG program, which assists businesses and communities throughout the state. The program is administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

CONTACT
Jen Rae Hein, Gov’s Office, 402-429-4701
Ashley Cradduck, Gov’s Office, 402-471-1970
Patty Wood, DED, 402-471-1559