(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman has awarded Wayne $205,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to assist Sand Creek Post and Beam, Inc. with its expansion. The project will result in nine new full-time jobs.

“This company is a great example to aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners.” Gov. Heineman said. “We’re happy to be able to help this home-grown business expand here in our state.”

The company manufactures authentic post and beam traditional barn and outbuilding kits. The loan will help the company purchase its current facility, acquire and renovate an office building, add separate millwork and storage areas, and build an additional facility on the property.

Len Dickinson and Jule Goeller founded the company in 2004 to provide historically correct outbuildings designed to reflect a country lifestyle. Once assembled, buildings are used as garages, workshops, horse barns, and storage sheds.

By 2006, Sand Creek had outgrown its manufacturing space and moved to a new facility with larger office space in downtown Wayne. Last year, the company enlisted a small facility in Cleveland, Ga. to manufacture and market barn kits in the eastern U.S. In four years, Sand Creek has sold more than $5.9 million in barn kits to customers in 35 states.

Federal funds are made available to Nebraska from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s CDBG program, which helps communities make improvements to local infrastructure and encourage business development. The program is administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

CONTACT
Sue Sitzmann, DED, 402-471-3987