“Albion has established, followed and achieved an aggressive economic development agenda rarely seen in any size city and we applaud them for not only setting a measurement standard that any city can and should aspire to follow, but for continually challenging themselves to always do one better than their own best endeavors.” said Terry McMullen, Nebraska Diplomats president.

Among Albion’s long list of projects and accomplishments during the past few years:

• Nebraska Diplomats 2008 Community of the Year.

•In May 2008, voters approved the Albion Economic Development Plan that kicked off a new 10-year LB8480 sales and use tax revenue collection cycle. Local sales and use tax revenues have increased 80 percent since the plan was adopted, with current annual sales and use tax revenues topping $500,000 in 2010.

•Sales and use tax revenue also have helped finance capital projects, spelling property tax relief and improving community services for citizens. For example, the City has completed $915,000 worth of street improvement projects since 2007, and used a designated portion of this revenue to build a $800,000 fire station in 2009, purchase a new ambulance this year, and still maintain reserves to finance future equipment purchases.

•More than $400 million has been privately invested and 170 new jobs created in Boone County since 2006.

•Boone County Health Center is currently wrapping up a fourth and final renovation expansion phase started November 2007 (to be completed January 15, 2011). The $8.5 million project features a new rehabilitation center and dining room, new patient wing with 25 private rooms, new offices and a community room. The project was completed on time without the need for additional taxes levied. The hospital employs 235 people, including six doctors and four physician’s assistants, and serves patients in seven counties with 22 specialty clinics each year.

•Wolf Memorial Good Samaritan Center is undertaking a capital campaign to raise $3-3.5 million to replace twenty rooms in the current facility. The project should get underway spring 2011.

• The City partnered with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Architecture in a “re-pioneering” project that resulted in 65 sustainable project designs throughout Boone County.

• The Albion Professional Plaza, housing Albion Family Chiropractic, and Albion Family Dental (bringing a new dentist to the community) was completed in 2008.

• Verasun, a 110-million-gallon ethanol plant went online in 2007, later becoming Valero Renewables during which time all employees were retained and the facility continues to expand.

• Albion Economic Development Corporation actively promotes clean up of vacant downtown lots. Efforts have included demolishing two dilapidated buildings to prepare for new construction, and renovating an existing building that temporarily housed two businesses which have since moved to other buildings.

• The City recently updated its comprehensive plan, completed a housing study, and designated a redevelopment area in its downtown district.

2011 goals of the Albion Economic Development Corporation include building and selling a new affordable home, renovating an existing home, creating a revolving loan fund earmarked for downtown improvements, and recruiting a new downtown business.

The Nebraska Economic Development Certified program, sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats, is one of a handful nationally that recognize communities’ economic development preparedness. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development administers the application process.

For information about Albion, contact Shannon Landauer, Boone County Development Agency, (402) 395-3356 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For information about the Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community program, or a full list of certified communities, click here or contact Linda Black at 308-991-2986, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .