LINCOLN, NEB. (May 5, 2008)—Kearney has earned the Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community designation.
Sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats, the program is one of a few nationwide that recognizes communities for being prepared for economic development. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development administers the application process.
“The Nebraska Diplomats warmly welcome Kearney to the growing list of Economic Development Certified Communities,” said Tim White, Nebraska Diplomats president. “Kearney marks the 18th community to commit to the rigorous criteria and extensive planning that define economic development excellence found in every community named on the list to date.”
While the rest of the country may be experiencing a slowdown in economic growth, Kearney (pop.29,385) appears to be experiencing the opposite. The city has welcomed expansions of several of its mainstay companies. Chief Industries, Inc., which announced an expansion in February, plans to create up to 75 jobs during the next two years. Baldwin Filters is expanding its warehouse, resulting in 50 new jobs during the next five years. Browne Transfer, a Kearney-based trucking company, is in the process of purchasing a Denver-area transportation outfit that will result in an expansion of its services to Colorado. Monsanto is currently adding 60,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space to its seed conditioning facility, which will result in six new full-time positions and a proportional number of seasonal workers.
Paul Eurek, a native of Loup City, Neb., liked what he saw in Kearney and in 2006 located a third branch office of his IT and consulting business, Xpanxion, there. The Kearney office employees conduct Q&A and testing functions and provide technical writing for the Atlanta, Ga.-based company. Eurek expects that the Kearney Xpanxion location will employ 20 people.
Kearney residents were treated to the opening of the new 8-plex Kearney Cinema in fall 2007. Students at the University of Nebraska at Kearney also will benefit from four new on-campus residential “suite”-style housing complexes that will add 332 new beds to UNK’s housing offerings. The suites are expected to be available for students come fall 2008.   

Kearney now joins the list of other Nebraska ED Certified Communities that includes Auburn, Cozad, Fremont, Geneva, Gothenburg, Grand Island, Holdrege, Lexington, Nebraska City, Norfolk, North Platte, Ogallala, Ord, Scottsbluff, Sidney, South Sioux City and Wayne.

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