OCTOBER 30, 2009 (LINCOLN, NE)-The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded $350,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to Morrill to build a new elevated water tower that provides water equal to the daily demand of 300,000 gallons, and install a distribution system that restores water pressure and fire flow to previous comparable levels.
Morrill's (pop. 935) water system includes an undersized 55,000 gallon tower that provides static pressure of 48-53 pounds per square inch (psi) to 450 residential users and 75 commercial users. The village's total population is made up of 58 percent low- to moderate-income persons who will benefit from the project. The new water tower and distribution system will increase overall water pressure to a normal working level of 60-80 psi.
Morrill has been approved for grants and loans from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Clean Water Safe Revolving Fund totaling $775,251 to complete the project.
Federal funds are made available to DED from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's CDBG program to assist with the development of businesses and communities throughout the state. Funding requests for this program are administered by DED and are available to local governments with populations less than 50,000 and counties in Nebraska.
Jeff Kelley of PADD helped develop the grant application for the CDBG funds.
Friday, October 30, 2009
PADD Participates in P-16 Retreat
Jerrod Haberman and Chuck Karpf of PADD participated in the P-16 retreat lat Friday evening and Saturday at the HARMS Center in Scottsbluff.
The Panhandle P-16 Leadership team met to develop a mission statement and chart the course of the P-16 initiative in the Panhandle.
The purpose of Panhandle P-16 is to educate the 11 counties of the Panhandle about the need for and benefits of collaboration. Leveraging technology, we will provide information, data, examples of best practices and successes. In order to build a shared understanding of the urgency of challenges and sites for opportunities in the panhandle, we will be committed to transparency of our processes and inclusive of the public. The primary goal of Panhandle P-16 is to keep well-educated and skilled people in the Panhandle.
PADD is looking forward to building this colloborative effort in the region.
The Panhandle P-16 Leadership team met to develop a mission statement and chart the course of the P-16 initiative in the Panhandle.
The purpose of Panhandle P-16 is to educate the 11 counties of the Panhandle about the need for and benefits of collaboration. Leveraging technology, we will provide information, data, examples of best practices and successes. In order to build a shared understanding of the urgency of challenges and sites for opportunities in the panhandle, we will be committed to transparency of our processes and inclusive of the public. The primary goal of Panhandle P-16 is to keep well-educated and skilled people in the Panhandle.
PADD is looking forward to building this colloborative effort in the region.
PADD Presents at Economic Developers Forum
PADD Director Jerrod Haberman presented "Its a Regional Economy" to the Economic Development Council of Colorado at the fall conference in Fort Collins, Colorado on October 22.
Jerrod discussed the need for economic developers to think regionally due to the demands from business and residents, our inter-dependent society and the hierarchy of regional trade. Jerrod also discussed the symbiotic relationship between urban and rural areas, changing realities in today's economy, the evolution of megaregions and the importance of rural transportation corridors to compliment all the issues discussed.
Jerrod discussed the need for economic developers to think regionally due to the demands from business and residents, our inter-dependent society and the hierarchy of regional trade. Jerrod also discussed the symbiotic relationship between urban and rural areas, changing realities in today's economy, the evolution of megaregions and the importance of rural transportation corridors to compliment all the issues discussed.
PADD Touts Heartland in North Dakota
PADD Director Jerrod Haberman presented an update on the Heartland Expressway project at the US Highway 85 Corridor Initiative's October 14 Annual Meeting in Williston, North Dakota.
Jerrod emphasized the Great Plains region is worth the nation's investment due to our economic opportunities in core industries such as agriculture, gas, oil, and wind development along with our strong work ethic, quality schools, low crime rates, good health, affordable housing, and low unemployment. Jerrod stressed that without support from the federal and state governments to invest in strategic infrastructure projects like the Ports to Plains Alliance corridors, many quality places throughout the Great Plains could lose their vitality.
Jerrod emphasized the Great Plains region is worth the nation's investment due to our economic opportunities in core industries such as agriculture, gas, oil, and wind development along with our strong work ethic, quality schools, low crime rates, good health, affordable housing, and low unemployment. Jerrod stressed that without support from the federal and state governments to invest in strategic infrastructure projects like the Ports to Plains Alliance corridors, many quality places throughout the Great Plains could lose their vitality.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Panhandle Receives Homebuyer Assistance Funding
-Western Nebraska Housing Opportunities, Scottsbluff—$305,000 to provide assistance for 75 homebuyers living in Scotts Bluff County, earning at or below 100 percent of the Area Median Family Income (AMI), who are purchasing newly constructed and/or existing homes, as well as for any needed rehabilitation work once the existing homes are purchased. Contact Rawnda Pierce at 308-635-6710 or twincitiesdev@wncc.net
- High Plains Community Development Corporation, Chadron—Two projects. $200,000 to provide assistance for homebuyers earning at or below 100 percent of the AMI and purchasing 20 existing homes; and $60,000 to improve services and activities, build capacity to undertake new activities, plan for new projects, and expand service area. Qualifying residents must live in Dawes, Sheridan, Box Butte and Sioux counties. Contact Marguerite Vey-Miller at 308-432-4346 or margueritem@gpcom.net
- High Plains Community Development Corporation, Chadron—Two projects. $200,000 to provide assistance for homebuyers earning at or below 100 percent of the AMI and purchasing 20 existing homes; and $60,000 to improve services and activities, build capacity to undertake new activities, plan for new projects, and expand service area. Qualifying residents must live in Dawes, Sheridan, Box Butte and Sioux counties. Contact Marguerite Vey-Miller at 308-432-4346 or margueritem@gpcom.net
Monday, August 31, 2009
Food Entrepreneurship Seminar Coming to Scottsbluff
“From Recipe to Reality”, part of the Food Processing Center Food Entrepreneur Assistance Program at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, will be presented at the Harms Advanced Technology Center at Western Nebraska Community College on Saturday, October 24, 2009.
The seminar will provide entrepreneurs with an understanding of the key factors that need to be considered when starting a food manufacturing business. Topics include market research, product development, packaging, labeling, pricing, product introduction, promotional materials, food safety and legal and business structure issues. The one day seminar, which runs from 8 am to 5 pm on October 24th, will provide entrepreneurs with valuable insight on the basics of starting a food business that would take months or even years to research on their own. Further information can be obtained from:
Jill Gifford
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Food Processing Center
143 Food Industry Building
Lincoln, NE 68583-0930
Jgifford1@unl.edu
402-472-2819
The seminar will provide entrepreneurs with an understanding of the key factors that need to be considered when starting a food manufacturing business. Topics include market research, product development, packaging, labeling, pricing, product introduction, promotional materials, food safety and legal and business structure issues. The one day seminar, which runs from 8 am to 5 pm on October 24th, will provide entrepreneurs with valuable insight on the basics of starting a food business that would take months or even years to research on their own. Further information can be obtained from:
Jill Gifford
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Food Processing Center
143 Food Industry Building
Lincoln, NE 68583-0930
Jgifford1@unl.edu
402-472-2819
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Gering Moves Forward on Sun Mart Remodeling
from www.kneb.com
Gering moves forward on remodeling old Sun-Mart building
Published Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 08:27 AM
The Gering city council Monday night moved forward with plans to place the city's library and a small business development center in the old Sun-Mart grocery building by approving a request for qualifications from architects.
The document requesting architects to provide their experience in providing designs for multi-use buildings says the project consists of remodeling approximately 27,000 square feet of space, approximately 45% of it for the library, 45% for the small business development center, and 10% common use space such as conference rooms and restroom facilities.
Chuck Karpf with the Panhandle Area Development District is working with the city on the project. He says the city should be commended for purchasing the old grocery store and repairing the roof so possibilities now exist for its re-use.
Karpf says the timing is right for the city and PADD over the next year or two to work cooperatively to get grants from the Economic Development Administration and other federal and state agencies to fund the project. Councilman Don Christensen says the small business center can be a Key ingredient" for Gering" and the project should be a priority in the upcoming budget. The city will also be discussing uses for the current library if the Sun-Mart project is successful.
Gering moves forward on remodeling old Sun-Mart building
Published Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 08:27 AM
The Gering city council Monday night moved forward with plans to place the city's library and a small business development center in the old Sun-Mart grocery building by approving a request for qualifications from architects.
The document requesting architects to provide their experience in providing designs for multi-use buildings says the project consists of remodeling approximately 27,000 square feet of space, approximately 45% of it for the library, 45% for the small business development center, and 10% common use space such as conference rooms and restroom facilities.
Chuck Karpf with the Panhandle Area Development District is working with the city on the project. He says the city should be commended for purchasing the old grocery store and repairing the roof so possibilities now exist for its re-use.
Karpf says the timing is right for the city and PADD over the next year or two to work cooperatively to get grants from the Economic Development Administration and other federal and state agencies to fund the project. Councilman Don Christensen says the small business center can be a Key ingredient" for Gering" and the project should be a priority in the upcoming budget. The city will also be discussing uses for the current library if the Sun-Mart project is successful.
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