APRIL 28, 2011 (LINCOLN, NEB.)— Nebraska communities have a habit of pulling out all stops when it comes to building and growing quality places to raise families and take great pride in working, living and enjoying!

Many count on the strong support offered through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to accomplish critical need community and economic development projects in the State, in areas including infrastructure, public facilities, housing, business start-ups and expansions, and tourism business development, to name some.

In recognition and celebration of federal Community Development Week, Nebraska proudly presents the outstanding efforts of:

Falls City (pop. 4,400)—In recent years, Falls City has accomplished a long list of projects, including a $3 million Library and Arts Center, a $3.2 million Aquatic Park, a state-of-the-art high school track and field complex, renovations and additions to the public school, renovation of the Prichard Auditorium, and a $21 million hospital that opened in November 2009. Economic development accomplishments include the $4.4 million expansion of Vantec, Inc., a custom plastic manufacturing facility that created new jobs; a $32 million bridge spanning the Missouri River at Rulo, Neb., led by a group of Falls City leaders who formed The Tri-State Corridor Alliance (Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas) to realize the project; the purchase of 10.1 acres to advance industrial site development goals; a $1 million “Business Parkway” industrial road connecting Industrial Park with Highway 159 and, ultimately, Interstate 29; a $5 million wastewater treatment plant; designation as a Heritage Nebraska Main Street Community; and many projects undertaken by Falls City EDGE. Contact: Clarissa Whalen at 402-245-4228 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Geneva (pop. 2,226)—Embracing the spirit of 2011 Community Development Week, Geneva has proclaimed its own personal celebration of the week. In addition to this symbolic affirmation is concrete evidence of all the great projects Geneva has undertaken. These include development of a comprehensive plan, zoning and subdivision ordinances, area-wide housing needs studies, and establishment of a citizen’s advisory committee for the Senior Center. Subsequent projects springing from all of this planning include a $25,000 grant awarded to Geneva State Bank to create a funding pool for downtown business renovation; designation as a Nebraska Lied Main Street community and creation of a spinoff “Revitalize Geneva” program; passage of LB840 the Local Option Municipal Tax; securing CDBG funding for housing development and rehabilitation, a downtown revitalization study, development of a commercial rehabilitation program, a Senior Center Feasibility study, and infrastructure improvements to downtown curbing, landscaping, and installation of historic replica lighting. The city also has been designated as an Economic Development Certified Community. Contact: Kyle Svec at 402-759-3109 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Hartington (pop. 1,554)—Realizing the need to keep pace with economic changes facing the community, Hartington conducted surveys, leadership retreats, and town hall meetings from 2006-2009 to identify projects for the city and surrounding county. A comprehensive plan was completed this past December. Hartington also was designated an Economic Development Certified Community in May 2010. Some of its many projects include construction of a new $2.5 million activity center at the Catholic Jr.-Sr. High School, renovation of the Senior Citizen Center, Westfield Acres Housing Development, a $2.3 million renovation of and addition to the Cedar County Courthouse, a new fire truck, passage of LB840 Local Municipal Sales Tax for future economic development, and a four-phase improvement project involving Felber Park. Contact: Carla Becker at 402-254-6357 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Hershey (pop. 585)—The Village engaged an engineering firm to conduct a Blight and Substandard Study to determine where the most improvements needed to be made. A follow-up list included renovations to the water/wastewater system, and the need for new housing. The Village accomplished two major projects that interwove planning, financial commitment, and partnerships that resulted in $22 million in local investment during the past five years. The first was development of the 40-lot North Park Village housing development, providing quality housing for employees commuting to North Platte and their families. The second accomplishment was the attraction of Greenbrier Rail Services that took advantage of a prime, shovel-ready industrial site and Village leaders’ commitment to provide necessary infrastructure, and in turn, built a 50,000 sq. ft. facility, and committed $20 million in investment and 30 new skilled jobs. Contact: Dave Behle at 308-325-7685 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Nebraska City (pop. 7,289)—The City’s commission has served it well through the years. In 2007, leaders identified the need for a Downtown Revitalization Plan to preserve and enhance the historic downtown district. In 2010 a series of community visioning sessions involving citizens, and business and community leaders helped prioritize a number of projects and helped create a new brand, “Arbor Day’s Hometown-Where Great Ideas Grow.” Projects included trails and trails map development, Nuckolls Square Park and neighborhoods beautification, establishment of a small business incubator and a community art project, industrial site development, ongoing marketing and PR activities including a mayor’s newsletter, and establishment of a Living Legacy (trees) program. Through the years, the City has completed nine housing programs through which 120 homes were rehabilitated. The downtown has been revitalized through several CDBG and Tax Increment Financing projects, resulting in more than $2 million in new downtown investment. The City’s LB840 Local Option Sales tax has resulted in $1.3 million for numerous economic development projects. Contact: Arnold Ehlers at 402-873-5515, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ord (pop. 2,112)—Communications is key in Ord and surrounding Valley County as new monthly Board Summit meetings helped draw together all key project partners in late 2010. The Valley County Courthouse was renovated with a $300,000 federal loan, and $125,000 in federal grant awards during five years went to fund façade improvement loan programs. A $100,000 CDBG grant, matched 100 percent by a local investor went toward renovation of the Ord Theatre. Ord also was able to rehabilitate and improve area housing through $250,000 Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) money, and participate in New Neighborhood improvements via a $750,000 NAHTF award. Forty business loans totaling more than $2 million were awarded during a ten-year period thanks to the LB 840 Local Municipal Options Sales Tax. Leverage of $800,000 through this same sales tax helped pave the way for $9.4 million in housing development. Citizen-approved bonds led to development of a new $23 million hospital, $9.8 million in junior-senior high school renovations, and a new $1.3 million fire hall.  Natural resource projects undertaken included renovation of the Auble’s Pond, and the Ord Walking Trail. Contact: Caleb Pollard at 308-728-7875, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Pender (pop. 1,135)—During the past four years, Pender has majorly progressed on goals it set in February 2009, including surveying area business owners to learn about their needs; setting up additional day care facilities; promoting area tourism via brochures and development of a website; sharing energy efficiency incentives with business owners; reviewing and determining options for new growth in Pender’s industrial park; and developing a comprehensive plan for the Village. A federal Rural Community Development Initiative grant was used by Pender, Thurston and other communities to build regional capacity in the areas of community networking, leadership, youth involvement, local resource usage, small business start-up, and new employment and economic activity. The Pender Economic Development (PED) group has received numerous state funding for activities, including $95,000 from DED to build a spec home; $7,000 from the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority for a housing study in conjunction with a comprehensive study; $25,993 from the Nebraska Department of Labor for a collaboration Training Grant involving 25 companies’ employees; and a $2,290 Nebraska Travel and Tourism grant to promote Watermelon Days, among others. Contact: Diann Ballard at 402-922-1652, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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