LINCOLN, NEB. (April 2, 2008)—The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded Wakefield $130,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to help Bonnie Plant Farms expand its national operations into Nebraska. The project is expected to create five full-time and 20 part-time positions.
The city will use the grant, plus $125,000 in matching funds to build a street leading to and from the company’s new plant and flower growing facility. Of the total grant, $5,000 will be available to the City of Wakefield to help with administrative costs.
“I’m pleased that a new business will be locating in Wakefield—this growth is exciting news for a community with a population of just over 1,400. The CDBG program is a proven, useful tool for helping grow new and established businesses throughout Nebraska,” said Richard Baier, DED director.
This project is Bonnie Plant Farms’ first plant and flower growing facility in Nebraska. The company is a subsidiary of the nation’s largest commercial plant and flower production company, Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc., which serves customers such as K-Mart, Menards, Lowe’s, Wal-Mart and Home Depot, and will serve all surrounding states.
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.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Patty Wood at 800-426-6505, 402-471-1559, or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it