Monthly report

Our monthly report is now available for your perusal.  You can download it here.

Strangers to the blog might be amazed by the activity as of late, but regular readers won’t.  We’re seeing some serious economic growth in our community and have the details behind it in this month’s newsletter.  You’ll also find photo contest news, sales tax figures and more.

Have a great Labor Day all, be safe and be well!

Good news keeps rolling in

In the September economic development report, we’ll examine the June 2010 sales tax receipts that show a trend of month-in, month-out retail growth.  We’ve surpassed our 2009-2010 allowable sales tax collections (.4 of 1% of total City’s valuation) for economic development with two months of collections remaining in the fiscal year.  Over the past year, we’re expecting strong year-end growth from 2009.  That means  more dollars are being spent in town at Ord merchants.  A healthy part of our rural revitalization correlates strongly with the retail growth over the past ten years.  Our local retailers bring shoppers from over 100 miles away, and those dollars in turn create jobs and investment.

Let’s also not forget that some of this traffic is due to our building projects seen across town in the past ten years: first with the ethanol plant, then the truck plaza, the downtown improvement project, and then on to the new hospital, school building project and the new fire hall.  These building projects have been a great injection into the local retail community, and I believe it has created a stronger environment for local retailers not just to survive, but thrive.  Many are doing just that.

The great hope is that these improvements create a sustainable and viable economic future for the residents of Valley County.  After ten years, it appears that is the case.
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We also have some updates on the proposed housing development, the photo contest, 0% business loans, the Microenterprise Tax Credit and housing rehabilitation funds.  It’s been a busy month!

August Photo Contest Results

Congratulations to our winners of August’s Photo Contest, Rural Farm & Ranch!  You can view the winning photos below.  We had several great submissions for this month’s contest. 

1st Place: Susan Schauer with her photo, “Checking Pastures North of North Loup”, winner of $200 in Ord Chamber Bucks
2nd Place: Jennifer Schauer with her photo, “Mira Valley Farm”, winner of $100 in Ord Chamber Bucks

You can find more information on next month’s contest, Community Event Memories, here.

VCED Monthly Board Meeting

The Valley County Economic Development Board is holding their monthly board meeting today.  Some exciting agenda items are up for discussion:

- New Neighborhoods
- Congressman Smith’s staffer report on the Health Care Reform Act
- Rural Entrepreneurship Academy Discussion
- VCED Board Retreat
- Business Development News

You can download the August agenda here and the July meeting minutes here.  You’re welcome to join us!

Rural business survey provides opportunities

Our friends over at the Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) have release quite an interesting survey of Nebraska rural small businesses, identifying some specific needs of the rural business community.  The results aren’t much different than urban counterparts with respect to the current financial meltdown:  access to capital.  I’d like to say at Valley County Economic Development, we’ve tackled many of these issues with programs established here years ago, along with the fact we’ve promoted social media use now for two years going strong. I don’t want to boast, but it’s no surprise that our program reflects what REAP’s report has found – principled micro and small business finance, with technical assistance, grows local economies.  We’ve seen ten years of proof in Valley County.

Have a look at the release published by REAP below:
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Survey: Need for financing, training in business knowledge and planning chief concerns for Nebraska’s rural small business

A new survey suggests lack of sufficient capital and taking on more debt remains a concern for Nebraska’s rural small businesses.

That was one of many findings from the 2010 Small Business Needs Assessment, a biennial survey administered from February to April by the Center for Rural Affairs, sampling opinions of nearly 250 small business owners, 100 lenders and 36 business technical service providers in rural Nebraska. The results were released during a business roundtable discussion hosted by Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) in Grand Island Aug. 25.

The purpose of the survey was to gather information from both business owners and the people that serve them. The data and the survey findings also will assist the Center for Rural Affairs, and its Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP), as well as partners such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, to help better tailor programs to fit the needs of Nebraska’s rural small business climate.

“The ultimate goal of any business development initiative or program should be to help build sustainable businesses in communities and neighborhoods,” said Jon M. Bailey, Rural Research and Analysis Director for the Center for Rural Affairs. “The survey results show significant challenges to meet this goal, but we know better where to target our resources to do the most good.”

While access to capital for rural small businesses may reflect the current economic climate, it also represents a critical and seemingly ongoing challenge for rural small businesses and the overall economy. According to a March survey by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, over a recent 15-year period, small businesses created a conservative estimate of 65 percent of net new private sector jobs.

Most rural small businesses in Nebraska lack large revenue streams. Nearly 60 percent of business owner respondents reported their business made less than $100,000 in gross sales in the most recent business year, and the largest number reported sales of less than $25,000.

Financial challenges found by respondents in the gross sales categories below $100,000 raise warning signs for these businesses and their rural communities.

“The need for working capital is a natural response for start-up or less experienced businesses, but for capital issues to remain after a business is established is both a reflection of the current economy and the nature of operating a small business in a rural place,” Bailey said. “How businesses respond to these financial challenges, with the assistance of business development programs and public policy, is critical for the rural economy. If established businesses are facing these challenges, we have to find solutions to keep them in business in their communities, and find incentives for start-up businesses in similar communities that may face identical challenges.”

Business knowledge and planning and financial issues are the primary difficulties faced by start-up businesses; nearly 70 percent of survey respondents claimed a lack of start-up cash as a chief difficulty faced in starting a business. Financial issues were the top-ranked difficulties for agriculture, online and construction small businesses. Business knowledge and planning issues were the top-ranked difficulties for service, retail and manufacturing small businesses in rural Nebraska.

Marketing and advertising were by far the most popular choice for training and assistance that would improve small businesses. Business plan development, legal issues, succession planning, and intermediate bookkeeping followed in popularity.

While business knowledge and planning issues were major challenges for rural small businesses in the start-up phase, these challenges continued even as a small business grows and matures. Throughout the survey, whether by business age, business type or amount of sales, rural small business owners expressed a need for training and assistance on business knowledge and planning issues, indicating many start a small business with little planning or business knowledge. Even rural small business owners who are successful to a degree recognize the need for such training and assistance if the business is to grow and be more financially stable.

Nearly 80 percent of rural small businesses with employees who answered the survey do not offer employee health insurance benefits; cost is the primary reason, although many did not offer such plans because employees were covered by other health plans.

Moreover, the survey found 15 percent of small business owners were not covered by health insurance. Those that do enjoy health coverage often are covered on a group plan through another member of the household, such as a spouse, or by purchasing an individual health insurance plan.

Social networking technology, including sites such as Facebook and Twitter, has a surprisingly large usage among rural small businesses. These technologies likely will continue to grow in popularity, making it wise for small business development initiatives to incorporate them into their dealings with their small business clientele.

“We have a challenge to balance the needs of most of our business owners who prefer traditional face-to-face and one-on-one assistance with new technology that enables our program to reach a greater number of people,” said Monica Braun, REAP Women’s Business Center Director.

Finally, while only 11 percent of rural small business owners said they were within 10 years of exiting their business, double that number claimed succession planning as the current greatest need of their small business, and nearly a third of respondents chose succession planning as a subject of needed training.

August 2010 Summer Photo Contest Voting

You can view the submissions for August’s Photo Contest below and you can cast your vote for your favorite here. You have a lot to choose from!

2011 ESCAPE to Loup Valley Travel Guide

The Loup River Valley Tourism Coalition, in partnership with Nebraska Life Magazine, is pleased to announce the upcoming publication of the 2011 ESCAPE to Calamus and Scenic Loup River Valley Travel Guide.  The ESCAPE Travel Guide is a unique tourism and economic development partnership between counties and communities that promotes Loup Valley amenities, attractions, events and businesses. The travel guide is funded in full by advertising sales, the lodging tax fund for tourism promotion and sales tax proceeds for economic development.

The 2011 Guide will also mark five years of cooperative marketing for tourism in the Loup Valley. Both the coalition and the ESCAPE Travel Guide have won state awards in tourism promotion excellence. New for this year is the inclusion of Howard County attractions and events as part of the publication.

Nebraska Life writers, photographers and sales staff will be working in the region in September.  The sales deadline for advertising is September 15, 2010.  If you are interested in advertising in the 2011 ESCAPE Travel Guide, contact Nebraska Life sales staff at (800) 777-6159.

For more information or to submit story ideas and photos to the magazine, contact either David Sawyer at the Burwell/Garfield County CVB at (308) 346-5210 or Caleb Pollard at Valley County Tourism at (308) 728-7875.  If you’re interested in ordering a current travel guide, don’t hesitate to give us a call at one of the numbers above.

The Ord Option

You may have read our previous blog post about The Ord Option and the benefits of buying locally.  To help support you local community you can participate in Ord’s new buy local campaign, The Ord Option. 

FREE Ord Option shopping bags and Ord Option cards are now available at the Ord Chamber office, 1514 K Street.  By spending your dollars locally, you are supporting our local businesses as well as increasing your chances of winning $500 in Ord Chamber Bucks in the month of September.  And the prizes don’t stop there!  For more information, follow the link above, or contact the Chamber office at (308) 728-7875 and stop by the Chamber office to pick up a bag and a card!

Ord Sidewalk Sales and City Wide Garage Sales

Ord Sidewalk Sales and the 15th Annual City Wide Garage Sales are coming up this Saturday, August 21! 

You can download a complete listing of garage sale and sidewalk sale participants here.  You can also pick up a copy of the garage sale listings and map at Cheveux Salon, Pump & Pantry – Ord, Trotter’s Whoa & Go – Ord, Good Life Pharmacy, and Anderson Pharmacy. 

Participating businesses in this year’s Sidewalk Sales include: Anderson Pharmacy, Calamity Jane’s Steakhouse & Lounge, Creative Designs, Central Computer Services, Professional Eyecare, Misko Sports, Second Hand Rose (Parkside Storage Unit 5), Trotter’s Whoa & Go, and Arby’s.

Ord will be buzzing with activity this weekend with all of the events and activities that will be taking place.  The Loup Valley Livestock Challenge will bring many out-of-towners to the area on August 21-22 as well as the Comstock or Bust festival on August 19-22!

2010 Legislative Forum

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, in cooperation with local chambers of commerce across the state, will present its annual legislative forums in the coming weeks.

The forums are conducted by State Chamber staff and are held every autumn to gather input from the business community on issues of concern. Members of the State Chamber and local chambers of commerce, as well as members of the news media, are encouraged to attend.

State senators and legislative candidates in each legislative district have been invited to the forums.

This year’s forums will focus on the Legislature’s 2010 session – including developments in the areas of taxes, labor law, workers’ compensation costs, and economic development programs. The forums will also look at how Nebraska fares in several economic competitiveness rankings.

State Chamber President Barry L. Kennedy said: “The economy continues to be the most pressing issue facing lawmakers and employers. These forums provide a timely opportunity for business leaders and others in the community to learn about key concerns that will be addressed by state and federal policymakers.”

The Legislative Forum will be held in Ord on Tuesday, October 5th at the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce Office at noon. (To make reservations, or for more information, contact the Chamber office at 308.728.7875).

The State Chamber is Nebraska’s largest business association, representing individuals, large and small companies, other associations, and local chambers of commerce. The State Chamber has served as the voice of Nebraska’s business community for more than 98 years.

The Benefits of Buying Locally

Think Local – Buy Local – Be Local!  As a follow-up for our Buy Local campaign, The ORD Option, we’re offering some insight into the purchasing power of buying locally.  Spending dollars in our community can have some seriously positive impacts in the community in which YOU live.  For example:

- Buy Local – Support Yourself: Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned business, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms – continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.

- Support Community groups: Non – profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do form large businesses (more to come on this next week).

- Keep Our Community Unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun—all of it makes our community home.   Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this community.  Our tourism businesses also benefit.

- Reduce Environmental Impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation.  This contributes to less congestion, habitat loss, and pollution.

- Create More Good Jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, providing the most jobs to residents.

- Get Better Service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and taking more time to get to know customers.

- Invest in Community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.

- Put Your Taxes to Good Use: Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compare to nationally owned stores entering the community.

- Encourage Local Prosperity: Economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

Information reprinted from Sustainable Connections, 2010: http://sustainableconnections.org/thinklocal/why

Dr. Unterseher Joins VCHS

Another evening, another great Chamber social event: last night, Ord Family Health Clinic hosted an open house/meet & greet for Dr. Chris Unterseher, a new physician at Valley County Health System.  Dr. Chris Unterseher officially joined Valley County Health System August 2nd and is now seeing patients..  I’d like to welcome Dr. Unterseher to Ord and Valley County – welcome to Ord!

Buy Local: The ORD Option

On August 16^th the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce will be launching a campaign called “BUY LOCAL: THE ORD OPTION”. The campaign’s purpose is to inform residents of Ord and the surrounding area of the importance of buying locally, resulting in benefits for both consumers and businesses.  As part of this campaign, we will inform consumers of the points listed on the enclosed article, The Benefits of Buying Locally.

In our efforts to encourage consumers to spend their dollars locally, the Ord Chamber of Commerce will distribute reusable “Ord Option” shopping bags as well as “Ord Option” cards, both displaying the logo below.  At participating businesses, customers will receive one initialed box (initialed by the employee making the sale) if they spend $5.00 or more on a single purchase.  If they spend $5.00 or more and use their Ord Option reusable shopping bag, they will receive two initialed boxes.

Please note, customers only receive an initialed box if they spend $5.00 or more, not for every $5.00 they spend.  When customers complete an entire card, they may turn it in at the Ord Chamber office to enter a drawing at the end of each month for Ord Chamber Bucks.  The chart below explains the dates of the drawings, prizes, and the use of cards in the drawings.  Only completely filled cards will be accepted in the drawing.  Customers can pick up new cards at the Ord Chamber office as well as participating businesses.

Drawing	Prize
Friday, September 24	$500 Ord Chamber Bucks	September Ord Option cards
Friday, October 29	$250 Ord Chamber Bucks	October Ord  Option cards
Friday, November 26	$250 Ord Chamber Bucks	November Ord Option cards
Friday, December 24	$500 Ord Chamber Bucks	Sept.-Dec. Ord Option cards

In conjunction with this campaign, a brief online survey is being conducted to gather information on how much our local businesses give back to our community in terms of donations and charity work. We hope the results will educate local consumers on the positive effects shopping locally can have for their local community. If your business has not yet taken the survey and would like to do so, please contact the Ord Chamber office and we will provide you with a link to the survey. 

As a local business, we encourage you to take the survey, mentioned above, even if you do not wish to participate in the “BUY LOCAL: THE ORD OPTION” campaign. If your business does choose to participate, all that would be required of you and your employees is to accept the Ord Option cards according to the guidelines above.

If you are interested in participating in this campaign, please contact the Ord Chamber office by e-mail, listed below, or call us at (308) 728-7875 by Friday, August 13 to ensure your business is included on the Ord Option list of businesses. If you are not a retail business but would still like to participate in the Ord Option campaign, please contact the Chamber office to discuss alternatives to replace the $5.00 purchase.

We appreciate your support in promoting our local community!

Ord Family First BBQ

Last night we welcomed two new young professionals to Ord – Dr. Berg and Suzie Melia to the Family First dental team.  You can see a couple photos from the event below.  I’d like to take the opportunity to personally welcome Dr. Berg to Ord, and also welcome Suzie (an Ord High Alum) home!  Here is yet again another great example of how young people continue to believe in the future of our community by coming home.

Monthly Report

You can now download August’s report here.  This month’s report includes information on upcoming buisness open houses, as well as many events and activities in the area including the Valley County Fair, Ord’s City Wide Garage Sales, Ord’s Sidewalk Sales, Comstock or Bust, and more! 

Speaking of growth, check out the growth in our economic development fund.  This is made possible by increased activity in the retail sector, which in turns help build a vibrant community.

 

Jaycees Fundraiser

The Loup Valley Jaycees are pleased to announce a 2010 Summer Raffle to raise funds for a community improvement project in Ord.  Help the Jaycees sell 1,000 tickets and make a lasting impact on the future of our community.

Of course you’re asking “what are the prizes I can win?”  The Grand Prize winner will receive:

Two (2) 2010 season tickets to the Nebraska Cornhuskers last football season in the Big 12! Seats are located in the 3rd Row, south side of the stadium.

Other prizes in the Jaycees raffle include:
2nd Place winners will receive: Two season passes to the soon-to-be newly renovated VC.
3rd Place winners will receive: $100 in Ord ChamberBucks.

How much are tickets? Raffle tickets are $10/ticket, and can be purchased by contacting any Loup Valley Jaycee or by emailing the Jaycees at loupvalleyjaycees@gmail.com.  To register, send a check made out to Loup Valley Jaycees with a *stamped* self-addressed envelope to 1514 K Street, Ord NE 68862.

Winners will be chosen on Friday September 3rd, 2010 at 5pm at the Valley County Courthouse steps.  You do not need to be present to win.

Thank you for supporting the Loup Valley Jaycees, community development in Ord and good luck winning tickets to an epic event in 2010!!!

July Photo Contest Results

The results are in!   The winners of July’s Photo Contest, Wildlife Watching are:

1st Place: Joan Sintek with her photo, “Cardinal After an Early Snow”: winner of $200 in Ord ChamberBucks

2nd Place: Bonnie Horne with her photo, “Squirrelin’ Around in Bussell Park”: winner of $100 in Ord ChamberBucks

We would like to congratulate our winners and thank all of those who submitted their photos for this month’s contest.   You can find more information on next month’s contest, Rural Farm & Ranch, here. 

New Blood in Valley County

For decades many rural communities have fought the challenges that brain drain and population loss have created.  New hope has begun for Ord and Valley County, however.  From 2000-2009, the number of young people in Valley County has grown as a total percentage of the population.  This trend puts Valley County in a unique category among rural counties both in Nebraska and nationwide.

Valley County is one of a few rural Nebraska counties that saw the proportion of young people in the county grow – without an influx of immigrants or a presence of a four year college or university.  Those young people are working in or around Ord, raising families, owning businesses and making a positive future possible for the community.

A large part of this resurgence has much to do with the systematic investment that has been made in Ord over the past ten years.  Community development has produced a new hospital, a high school renovation and building project, a new fire hall, housing improvement programs, a new downtown improvement project, a new walking trail and an expanded community college presence.  A new housing development is set to begin construction this fall.

Most importantly, however, is that the new improvements are built on the backbone of strong business development.  As reported in the past, Ord and Valley County have seen 36 local businesses tap $1.6 million in sales tax loan funds, over 100 new businesses open, strong job growth, strong retail growth, strong wage growth and city and county tax valuation increases.  In just six years the total valuation of the City of Ord has increased by nearly $30 million dollars.  In turn, these increases have lowered local property taxes.

This would not be possible without partnerships that include the local business community, the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Ord, Valley County, Greater Loup Valley Activities, Inc., Loup Valleys Rural Public Power, Central Community College, our county and regional communities that shop locally, and most importantly, the local leaders and volunteers that have been at the forefront of planning and executing these accomplishments.

Principled investment into the future of Ord and Valley County has created a new reality for its communities and residents.  The positive population trends also point to a new opportunity for rural communities to capitalize on stable local economies, safe neighborhoods, low costs of living and low commute times.  Check the facts out online at www.ordnebraska.com, watch the video below or read through the links listed below.

To read more:

Visit The Daily Yonder here: http://www.dailyyonder.com/age-test/2010/07/20/2849.

NET Radio: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/netradio/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1680993

KHAS-TV: http://www.khastv.com/news/local/Ord-99515119.html

Valley County Fair Schedule

The Valley County Fair is just around the corner!  Festivities will begin Sunday, August 1 with a Classic Tractor Show, Fireman’s BBQ, Parade, and much more.  A complete schedule of events can be found here. 

Nebraska’s Big Rodeo

It is that time of year again!  Nebraska’s Big Rodeo in Burwell will kick off tomorrow, July 29.  Events include everything from bull riding to wild horse races to rodeo clowns and bullfighters!  For more information on ticket prices, other events and attractions, as well as last year’s rodeo results, visit http://www.nebraskasbigrodeo.com/.

July 2010 Summer Photo Contest Voting

Submissions for July’s Wildlife Watching Photo Contest are in!  After you view the photos below, you can vote for your favorite here. 

As a reminder, August’s contest theme is Rural Farm & Ranch.  Each month’s first place photo will receive $200 in Ord Chamber Bucks and the second place photo will receive $100 in Ord Chamber Bucks.  The deadline for August submissions is Friday, August 20 at 5:00 p.m.  You can submit your photos to kvolf@frontier.com.  For more information on guidelines and prizes, visit http://www.ordnebraska.com/2010-summer-photo-contest/.

Ord’s 15th Annual City Wide Garage Sales

It is that time of year again.  Ord’s 15th Annual City Wide Garage Sales will be held Saturday, August 21, 2010.  You can register your garage sale by picking up a registration form at the Ord Chamber office, 1514 K Street.  There is no registration fee! 

The registration deadline is Friday, August 13 to ensure your garage sale is included on the flyers and in the Ord Quiz on Wednesday, August 18.  If you have any questions or would like more information, contact the Ord Chamber office at (308) 728-7875.

NOAR 2010 Race Recap

The summer heat brought us brutal race conditions, but the results are in – the 2010 No ORDinary Adventure Race was a success.  Racers biked, ran and canoed over land and sea in the North Loup Valley.

Photos have been uploaded to Flickr here.  Feel free to download as you wish, and a huge thanks to our race sponsors, Angry Cow Adventures, Mike and Sue Blaha for an amazing course, our race volunteers, and most importantly, our racers!!!

This brings the Adventure Race series to an end in Ord, but stay tuned for next year as we release details on a 50 and 100-mile gravel road mountain bike race.  If you think Nebraska is flat, you ain’t been to Ord. 

2010 No ORDinary Adventure Race results for the long and short course cagegories:

Long Course Results: 3 Person

• Bentventure Racing
• Proformance
• Road Rash
• Wild Hares (DNF)
• Just Shoot Me (DNF)

Long Course Results: 2 Person

• Adventure Omaha
• Angry Cow Adventures

Short Course Results

• A Hen & Her Chics
• JBT
• Wolf Pack
• Team One Nut
• Blonde, Brunette, & Red Head

No ORDinary Adventure Race Tips

Below are a few tips for the No ORDinary Adventure Race, this Saturday, July 17. These photos are taken in areas you will be hiking, biking, caoeing, and navigating. More photos can be found here. It is not too late to register for the adventure race. For more information and to register, vist the Angry Cow Adventures website.

Chamber Board Meeting

You can download the agenda for today’s Chamber Board meeting, as well as last month’s minutes here.  Today’s meeting will be held at the Ord Chamber office at noon.

Special Olympics Torch Run

On Tuesday, Juy 13, approximately 100 law enforcement officers from across the state will be running through Ord for the Special Olympics Torch Run.  Show your support by cheering on the runners as they carry the Special Olympics Torch “Flame of Hope” to the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics National Games.  The runners will start at Trotter’s Whoa & Go at 2:30 pm.  With a police escort provided by the Valley County Sheriff’s department, Ord Police Department, and State Highway Patrol, they will travel north on South 14th Street to L Street where they will head west.  The runners will then turn north on 24th Street, at the corner of Pump & Pantry, and end up at Auble’s Pond for a 30 minute ceremony. 

Local Special Olympics athletes, as well as their families, friends, and the community are welcome to attend the ceremony at Auble’s Pond which will begin at 3:00 p.m.  The ceremony will consist of a short presentation by Torch Run participants, live entertainment by Jerry Neeman, and a gift exchange between Torch Run participants and local dignitaries.  For more information on Specail Olympics and the Torch Run across Nebraska, visit their website here.

Business succession made easy

Are you thinking ahead to retirement and considering selling your business in the next ten years?  Start planning now!

On Thursday, July 29, Valley County Economic Development will host a 90 minute exit planning seminar to help existing local businesses prepare for retirement.  The seminar will feature a financial planner, attorney, and accountant on location to assist local businesses plan for their futures.  The on-site professionals can help you navigate the unsteady waters of business succession planning.

Save yourself time, money and grief by preparing now for the next ten years whether you are looking to transition or sell your business.  Presenters are Matt Geiser of Financial Solutions, Randy Cullers of Stowell, Kruml, Geweke, and Cullers, and Matt Eppenbach of Severson, Lammers, & Abel.

The seminar begins at 12 noon, registration is $10 and lunch is included.  Checks should be made payable to Valley County Economic Development.   Registration deadline is 12 noon, Monday, July 26.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at the office (308) 728-7875.

Wind energy grants and loans

Wind energy is a big deal in Nebraska these days.  Recently, Governor Heineman outlined the importance of wind energy in a recent press release titled Update on Wind Development in Nebraska.  In his piece, he detailed several large scale wind developments in existence and also mentioned the importance the 10% wind energy production benchmark set by both the Omaha Public Power District and Nebraska Public Power District is to future wind development.  As the Governor said, “Wind energy has a bright future in Nebraska.”

One item I might add to the press release is the importance small-scale wind power generation is for rural resident energy needs.  Local residents and landowners (farmers & ranchers) can access a plethora of grants, low-interest loans and tax credits to build or install their own small scale wind turbines for their needs on the farm or ranch.  Below are several resources that can help locals access these resources for their own development of wind power generation.  If you find this useful and purchase a wind turbine, send your photos our way and we’ll post them to the blog.  Enjoy!

Grants
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP funded by USDA Rural Development):  Authorized by the latest Farm Bill, REAP is funded by USDA Rural Development and provides “grants, guaranteed loans, and combination grant/guaranteed loans to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements in rural areas.”  To see if your business or farm operation qualifies, you can download eligibility requirements, allowable uses and grant/loan application forms here (.pdf).

U.S. Department of Treasury – Renewable Energy Grants:  Authorized by 1603 PROGRAM – PAYMENTS FOR SPECIFIED ENERGY PROPERTY IN LIEU OF TAX CREDITS, this program allows “the United States Department of the Treasury to make payments to eligible persons who place in service specified energy property and apply for such payments. The purpose of the payment is to reimburse eligible applicants for a portion of the expense of such property.”  I would suggest talking with your accountant regarding this program, as it is more restrictive on uses that the other mentioned programs.  You can read the details of the entire program here.  Keep in mind the grants are eligible for developments in the 2009 and 2010 tax years.  I would also suggest looking at the “List of Awards” for the project, located at the bottom of the webpage.  Grants have been given out for projects that cost as little as $9000 and up to $3 million plus.

Loans
Dollars and Energy Savings Loans – Nebraska Energy Office:  The Nebraska Energy Office provides low interest loans for just about anyone located in the state.  Interest for loans range from 2.5% to 5% interest.  You can read the details here.

Tax Credits
Wind energy credit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (from Nebraska Wind and Solar):  The bill improved upon the 2008 tax credit, by removing “cost caps.”  This change allows consumers and small businesses to take a 30% tax credit off the installed cost of a wind turbine.  To a consumer or business purchasing a single 2.4KW residential wind turbine, it will double their credit.   Additionally, consumers and businesses will also have the option of receiving their credit in the form of a cash grant.  This credit can be applied against taxes owed or, for at least 2009 and 2010, receive a grant for the same amount from the Government.

4th Annual No ORDinary Adventure Race

The No ORDinary Adventure Race will be held Saturday, July 17.  This year racers will run, trek, bike, canoe, and navigate in and around the Calamus and Loup River.  Ord’s Adventure Race is the fourth race in the Angry Cow Adventures racing series.  Anyone can participate in the Adventure Race.  Register at the website listed below as a solo, two-, or three-person team.  The registration fee is $45 per person for the short course and $65 per person for the long course before July 5.  After July 5, a $15 late registration fee will be charged for each person.  For Adventure Race rules and registration forms, visit the Angry Cow Adventures website. 

You can also be a part of the No ORDinary Adventure Race without working up a sweat!  Volunteers will be needed the day of the race at various checkpoints thoughout the course.  To volunteer, contact the Ord Chamber office at (308) 728-7875 or email Kristina at kvolf@frontier.com. 

Area updates!

The summer of 2010 is just beginning and we’re loving every minute of it.  Our monthly AND quarterly reports are now available and detail the recent activity at Valley County Economic Development and the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce.

The monthly report has the skinny on upcoming activities, events and programs that have made our area an amazing place to live, work and play.  You’ll find information on our new housing development, the No ORDinary Adventure Race, Central Community College and more.  You can download the monthly newsletter here.

The quarterly report inventories the last quarter’s production, from a holistic community and economic development perspective, to keep our rural communities vibrant and vital.  You’ll also find details on the regional, state and national recognition for the outcomes Ord and Valley County continue to produce.  You can download the quarterly report here.

Have a great 4th of July weekend!

College Algebra Class Offered Fall 2010 Semester

Central Community College’s Ord Learning Center will offer College Algebra (MATH 1150) this fall 2010 semester.  The three credit hour course will be taught from 6:00 pm-9:00 pm on Wednesdays beginning August 25.  This fall’s instructor is Sandy Bartholomew, Ord High School math teacher.  Prerequisites for this class are include: MATH 1140 (Intermediate Algebra) OR COMPASS Test Algebra scores: 53-99 OR ASSET Test Intermediate Algebra scores: 43-55 OR ACT Math composite scores: 24-25.

Cost for the class is $81 per credit hour or $243. If you or someone you know is interested in registering for this class, call Lu Lansman @ the Ord Learning Center @ 728-3299.  A minimum of ten students is required to offer this class.  We hope to see you at the Ord Learning Center this fall!

June Photo Contest Winners

Congrats to Jennifer Schauer and Linda Volf, our 1st and 2nd place June photo contest winners!  Jennifer has won $200 in ChamberBucks, with Linda winning $100.  Excellent work!!  We’d also like to thank Jon Blaha (Pizza Hut Road) and Tresia White (Wide Open Space, South of Elyria) for their entries as well.  You all set the bar incredibly high for this summer.  The winning photos can be found below.

July nearly here and wildlife watching is the name of the game.  Last year’s photos were DY-NO-MITE, we’re hoping to see similar standards this year.  Have fun and get out there!

Disaster recovery funds available

Our friends from USDA – Rural Development have released information regarding the availability of disaster recovery funds.  If you have been negatively impacted by the recent flooding in Valley County, YOU MAY QUALIFY for disaster recovery funding.  Details below (hat tip to USDA-RD and Vicki Schurman):

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Additional assistance is available to homeowners in counties, if FEMA declares them eligible for Individual Assistance, through Rural Development’s single family housing loan and grant programs.  Low cost funds are available for housing purchases and repairs.  Individuals  needing payment assistance on their existing USDA Rural Development single family loans are encouraged to contact the Centralized Servicing Center in St. Louis at (800) 414-1226.

Rural Development can make loans of up to $20,000 at one percent loan to be repaid over 20 years to eligible home owners with very modest incomes to help them rebuild or repair their homes.  If those homeowners are at least 62 years of age, they may qualify for a grant to pay for repairs.

Rural Development field offices can help determine what Rural Development resources are available to help.  Inquiries should be directed to the following area offices – Kearney Office: (308) 237-3118

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Monsanto Fund Announces New Award Program

The Monsanto Fund is excited to bring the America’s Farmers Grow Communities Project to your community. This program, which Monsanto Company initially rolled out to counties in Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas, was created as a unique new way to support local farm communities. The program has been extended to select counties in California, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and South Dakota.

This is a great opportunity for farmers in eligible counties to win the right to direct a $2,500 donation from Monsanto Fund to a local nonprofit organization.  All they have to do is complete a short entry form at www.growcommunities.com or call 1.877.267.3332.  One winner per county will be selected at random for each eligible county and announced in August 2010.

Farmers, age 21 and over, who are actively engaged in farming a minimum of 250 acres of corn, soybeans and/or cotton, or 40 acres of open field vegetables, or at least 10 acres of tomatoes, peppers and/or cucumbers grown in protected culture, are eligible.  The application period expires on July 31, 2010.  The program is open to all qualifying farmers, and no purchase is necessary to enter or win.  Monsanto Fund will announce winning farmers and recipient organizations that are important to them and their communities.

Monthly ED Board Meeting

Today is our monthly Economic Development Board meeting.  We’re covering some seriously awesome topics today that will have strong bearing on the future of the community.  You can download an agenda here and read last month’s meeting minutes here.  Agenda items include:

- 2010-2011 Budget Approval
- Officer Elections
- New Rural Depopulation Research – Valley Co. Boards Summit
- Wind Feasibility Study
- New Neighborhoods
- Sales tax fund report

Interested parties are welcome to stop by and listen in on our activities.  Should be a fantastic meeting!

June 2010 Summer Photo Contest Voting

Our June photo contest submissions are in.  You can view the photos below.  Vote for your favorite photo here.

As a reminder, July’s Photo Contest theme is Wildlife Watching.  Each month’s first place photo receives $200 in Ord Chamber Bucks and the second place photo will receive $100 in Ord Chamber Bucks.  You can submit your photos starting July 1.  The deadline for July submissions is Friday, July 23 at 5:00 p.m.  Submit your photos to kvolf@frontier.com.  For guidelines and prize information, visit  http://www.ordnebraska.com/2010-summer-photo-contest/. 

Raising entrepreneurs

TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is a fantastic website (and movement) that provides some seriously in-depth and entertaining discussions on a variety of issues.  Below is a great talk about raising kids to be entrepreneurs.  The video below is important because it relates not only the importance of raising entrepreneurial children, but also of past efforts our organization had embarked upon about 5 years ago with assistance from HomeTown Competitiveness.  We may be heading back down this path sooner rather than later, and the video below is certainly fuel for the fire.  (Hat tip to Matt S.)

Enjoy the weekend, and hopefully we’ll see you at Rod Run and the Soapbox Rally!

Rod Run

This weekend marks our Annual Fathers Day Rod Run here in Ord.  Below are details for the event.  For you youngins or young-at-heart, don’t forget about the Saturday morning festivities found at the Loup Valley Soapbox Rally.  The soapbox derby starts at 8:30a sharp.  See you out there!

Saturday, June 19:
Morning – registration at K-Truck Lines (West Highway 70)
1:00 p.m. – Games at Valley Thunder Rods & Restoration (415 Riverview Drive)
Evening (around 7 or 8 p.m.) – Dance and Band for registered Rod Run car owners at K-Truck Lines

Sunday, June 20:
9:00 a.m. to noon – classic cars are displayed around the downtown square (around the Valley County courthouse)
Noon – parade of cars through town
BBQ at K-Truck Lines following the parade

For further information, contact Trent Proskocil: (308) 728-9950

Building rural entrepreneur clusters

Growing rural entrepreneurs can be a decidedly dicey business, especially in agriculture.  Not only do you contend with finding viable business ideas and overcoming funding challenges, but you also have to deal with issues associated with getting products to hungry market.  Enter the Vermont model.

Vermont offers a unique way to defer some of the risk associated in agri-entrepreneur markets that we in Ord and Valley County could certainly learn from.  It certainly provides tangible opportunities that small family farmers in the Loup Valley can learn from in terms of diversification and profitability.  The Daily Yonder reports:

“Clusters are perhaps even more valuable to the economy in rural America than in cities whose economies are more diversified.  The raw numbers in rural America may be smaller and clusters more difficult to identify, but the distinctive nature of rural economies can be tapped to generate wealth…This concentration, or cluster, of food processing builds on itself. The employment gains in all of Vermont’s agricultural and food sectors have outpaced that of the nation. That shows the power of clusters. Concentrations of businesses are more competitive than businesses standing alone. This is true in rural and urban areas alike.”

It seems to me that in Nebraska, those networks are completely absent with exception to the small rural communities that ring Lincoln and provide a tremendous bounty for Lincoln’s growing farmer’s market scene.  It think it’s a shame we don’t have better networks in our rural communities that enhance these relationships.

Furthermore, The Yonder also reports that economic development policy shouldn’t exclude farming and agriculture as one of the many spokes in the wheel:

“The Vermont Sustainable Agriculture Council’s 2003 report recommended that “economic development and other public policies should recognize not just the value of ‘farm gate’ production but also the indirect value of agriculture to tourism.” The state is home to some two dozen food festivals. Tourists come to buy Vermont’s cheese and maple syrup or to visit Shelbourne Farms.”

I couldn’t agree more with this.  Too long, economic development policy had centered on smoke-stack chasing, and honestly for a few good intentions.  Those economic efforts did insulate the local economic structure from the ups and downs of the farm economy and generated investment and job creation.  Ultimately as a policy, however, I believe it has failed rural communities.  In Nebraska, smokestack chasing failed to give most rural communities the tools necessary to keep their population AND economy growing over the long term.

A new process should be considered, one that includes creating agri-entrepreneurs as primary economic development engines in rural Nebraska.  In Nebraska, our farms are still the primary export agent for *every single Nebraska community* including Omaha.

Renewable energy is an essential component to grooming viable rural entrepreneurship clusters, including biofuels.   I’ve always said the farm economy is ripe for entrepreneurial innovation.  What I see that is missing in rural communities is viable entrepreneur networks that link opportunity to markets, and a galvanizing force that can help local agri-entrepreneurs cluster as a tightly knit unit.  As Vermont has show and national markets are now starting to dictate, clusters can help get localized premium products to markets.

I’ve also said that if we truly want to address issues of depopulation in rural Nebraska, we need to address the crisis of the ever-shrinking population on the farm.  It seems like Vermont has placed that opportunity squarely into the hands of the high schools and community colleges to meet those ends:

“Vermont has the opportunity to become a new national model for supporting for a new form of agricultural economy by expanding the curriculum of high schools and community colleges to include the state’s new agricultural economy.”

If you’re interested in learning more about this idea, don’t hesitate to let us know.  Who knows, a conversation is a good place to kick this off.  Feel free to comment below and offer your input.  Until then, back to the usual business of stirring the pot!

Business Development Loan Applications Due

Quick sales pitch – Are you interested in starting a new business, expanding an existing one or making improvements to the look of your storefront?  You may be asking yourself why we’re blogging some shameless self promotion – honestly, because we can help save you money.  Also, two of our local business improvement loan applications are due July 5th (@5pm at the Chamber offices).

Valley County Economic Development has several low-interest to *no* interest loans for your business needs.  You can have a peek local incentives on our website here and also look at available in the area property (some of it $1/acre per year), here.

Each business financing program can be investigated, including information on the Sales Tax Loan Fund here, the Downtown Ord 0% Improvement Loan Fund here and the 0% Valley County Business Corridor Improvement Program here.

There are lots of reasons why making a business investment in Valley County is a good one.  Our financing tools have been part of unrivaled rural growth in funding 35 local business financing needs.  Remember, our financing programs can help you grow your business idea AND save you money.

31st Annual Dan Klimek, Sr. Ord Country Run

Break out those running shoes!  The 31^st Annual Dan Klimek, Sr. Ord Country Run will be held on Saturday, July 3 in conjunction with Ord High School’s alumni weekend.   

This year’s event was renamed to honor Dan Klimek, Sr., a perennial participant in area running events.  Dan has supported the Ord Country Run since 1980 and has been active in the Nebraska State Games and Senior Games.

Starting times for each division are listed below:

+   10K Walkers: 7:00 a.m.

+   Kids’ 1 Mile: 7:30 a.m.

+   10K, 3 Mile Runners, and other Walkers: 7:45 a.m.

Entries for the event can be picked up at Misko Sports (1522 L St.), the Ord Chamber Office (1514 K St.), or by calling (308) 728-5118.  Entry fees are $10 for ages 14 and over and $5 for ages 13 and under.  Race day fees are $15 and $6.  All participants will be awarded an Ord Country Run t-shirt and three medals will be given out in 36 age divisions.  Other prizes will be awarded to top finishers.

Monthly report

You can download the monthly report here, with plenty of ExtraORDinary Days details inside.

Per our latest tweet, you can also gain some insight into the latest sales tax figures – more good news for the area.  Our net taxable sales tax receipts grew again, both month-to-month *and* from the prior year.  Remember, sales tax receipts help fund the municipal option for economic development – a fund that builds a better Ord and Valley County.  By tracking growth in the fund, we can rightly assume our local economy is growing as well.

Have a look:

Wind power critical to economic growth

The Grand Island Independent had a great piece in the Sunday paper about the economic impact of wind power generation for the United States.  From the article:

“Kaplan said the U.S. wind industry will represent $330 billion in investments between 2010 and 2025, with more than 90 percent stemming from onshore wind, according to the study’s projections. The Midwest, Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states will act as major wind export hubs to areas with large appetites for renewables, including California, the Mid-Atlantic and the South.”

This means more than ever Nebraska needs the financial, legislative and strategic tools (including transmission) to capitalize on this market growth.  As you will recall, recently we began understanding the process of whether or not wind energy development was feasible in Valley County.  So far, the results are mixed, mainly due to the issues in transmission.  It certainly doesn’t mean we’re going to sit back and let market forces evolve around us, however.

Another issue certainly need monitoring as well – if the Feds pass a climate bill that either taxes carbon emissions or creates a carbon exchange, coal and other non-renewable energy sources are going to start getting much more expensive.  Fast.

If you’re interested in becoming more involved in wind energy development in Valley County, drop me a line:  (308) 728-7875.  We’ll keep working on this effort from an economic development perspective, and reach out to some great work that has been created by the Loup Basin RC&D here in Ord.  More to come!

~ Caleb

Calling all photographers!

Just a quick reminder to all you photogs out there: June is our kick-off month for the 2010 Summer Photo Contest.  Last year, we received fantastic submissions that were worthy of professional praise – we even had a couple amateurs beat a few local professionals.

We need your photos to showcase the beautiful community we call home.  You can read the rules of the contest here, and if you win, you could win up to $200 in ChamberBucks!  Each month has a different theme, similar to last year.  This year’s themes are:

+ June: Wide Open Spaces – Breathtaking Views
+ July: Wildlife Watching
+ August: Rural Farm & Ranch
+ September: Community Event Memories

This is a great opportunity to explore your community, have a little fun and win some cash.  Now get out there!

Wind in the Valley

Today, our partners at Nebraska Public Power District will helping us understand the factors that play into wind power development in Valley County, along with our friends from the surrounding counties.  This effort is the product of two months of conversation and research that was kicked off with the Governor Heineman’s signing of LB 1048.

LB 1048 is designed to encourage the development, ownership and operation of renewable energy facilities for the export of wind energy from Nebraska.  If NPPD’s research finds that Valley County is ripe for development, it very likely a wind-readiness effort and working wind task force will be established.

A couple more items helped to launch this effort in partnership with NPPD and Loup Valleys Rural Public Power.  First, the US Department of Energy released a report titled Wind Powering America: Nebraska that found Valley County super-conducive to wind power generation.  The research suggests that the Loup River Valley hosts some of the best locations in the state to capture wind. Second, the legislative momentum created by LB 1048, along with the feasibility of wind capture, creates a positive environment for wind energy development much like the process Valley County followed with ethanol readiness in 2005.  That readiness effort led to a new $80 million ethanol plant project.

Our big hang-up is the transmission of power from the production site.  We’ll learn today about the opportunities as well as challenges involving transmission, and if we can overcome those transmission issues, we may run with an effort to develop wind capture potential in Valley County.  Keep your fingers crossed.

~ Caleb

ExtraORDinary Days Recap

Thank you to everyone who made this year’s ExtraORDinary Days a success.  The beautiful weather and abundant community participation made for an excellent event.  Below are the results for several activities. 

Rubber Duck Race:  1^st Place: Nancy French; 2^nd Place: Rachel Simpson; 3^rd Place: Erin Philbrick; 4^th Place: Ord Equipment; 5^th Place: Frank Smedra; 6^th Place: Jennifer Pokorny; 7^th Place: Marsha Reznicek; 8^th Place: Malori Hagge; Last Place: Matt Foster

ExtraORDinary Fear Factor:  1^st Place: Cole Svoboda and J.B.; 2^nd Place: Kelsey Anderson and Sadie Arduser; 3^rd Place: Cody Proskocil and Tyson Buettgenback; 4^th Place: Cora Svoboda and Molli Hagge; 5^th Place: Jerri Tuma and Holly Heil; 6^th Place: Alex Farrens and Austin Edghill

Fear Factor participants may pick up their prizes at the Ord Chamber Office, 1514 K. Street.  1^st Place: $100 Chamber Bucks; 2^nd Place: $50 Chamber Bucks; 3^rd Place: $30 Chamber Bucks.  Teams who placed in 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th place will receive an Ord, Nebraska t-shirt which can also be picked up at the Chamber Office. 

Community Olympics:  1^st Place: Wii Not Fit; 2^nd Place: Dugans; 3^rd Place: Get R Done

Results for the Kids Fishing Contest and Kids Games will be coming soon.  Again, thank you to the Loup Valley Jaycees, the FFA, Richard’s Amusements, local businesses, volunteers, entertainers, and of course, the community, for making this a wonderful event. 

Watch for more ExtraORDinary Days recaps and photos in the Ord Quiz.

Fort Hartsuff News

The Friends of Fort Harsuff have news on upcoming Memorial Weekend activities at the fort.  Thanks to Sally and Jim Domeier for sending this along!

The Fremont Pathfinders will be visiting the Fort on Saturday and Sunday of the upcoming Memorial Weekend, May 29^th and 30^th.

Bill Winburn of the Pathfinders said that the group will have a blacksmith on duty, a teamster driving the Fort’s Army Escort wagon and artillery soldiers firing a mortar and small canon to augment their living history program at the Fort during the holiday weekend.

Last year the Pathfinders brought canons to the park and gave firing demonstrations throughout the Memorial Weekend.  This year there is no set schedule during the holiday weekend, but visitors are encouraged to come and tour the park to get a sense of 1870’s military life.  The Fort is located between Ord and Burwell off Highway 11 near the town of Elyria. The buildings will be open for touring from 8:00 AM to sunset through the weekend.

The Pathfinders will be returning to Fort Hartsuff during Saturday and Sunday of the Burwell Rodeo, July 30^th and 31^st.

Local business recognized nationally, again!

Brad and Gina Babb, owners of Sandhills Glass and Garage Doors, have receive more kudos lately for their efforts as rural entrepreneurs.  AEO, a national advocacy organization for microenterprise, recently celebrated Brad and Gina’s story, and others have taken note.  We’ve mentioned their recent accolades here and here, and now the Nebraska District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration has recognized the Babbs as well.  The SBA June newsletter has the details:

“Two years ago, Sandhills Glass and Garage Doors was on the verge of closing for good. These days, not only is business booming, but Bradley and Gina Babb, the owners of the Ord, Neb., business, were in Washington, D.C., up on a dais at an event introducing Ana Ma, the chief of staff for SBA Administrator Karen Mills.”

You can read the details in the SBA newsletter here.  The Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP), an arm of the Center for Rural Affairs, has more on Brad and Gina’s recent trip to Washington DC:

“That’s how Brad and Gina Babb found themselves in Washington, DC, introducing Ana Ma, Chief of Staff for SBA Administrator Karen Mills and telling their story to AEO conference attendees who rarely hear from rural small business owners who receive microloans. Ma spoke highly of Sandhills Glass, saying, “they have a great business model, so the fact that they were about to lose the business was heartbreaking.” Ma also pointed out that help from microlending programs led to Sandhills Glass hiring more people, creating jobs for others in Ord and providing a glimpse at how a small business loan can provide a lift beyond mere figures on a balance sheet.”

You can read the article in full here.  Congrats Brad and Gina!!!

Economic Development Board Meeting

Today is our monthly Valley County Economic Development Board meeting.  You can download an agenda here and minutes from last month here.

We’ll be covering some interesting topics today.  Our meetings are always open to the public – join us if you can!

ExtraORDinary Farmers Market

The ExtraORDinary Farmers Market is just around the corner!  Ord’s Farmers Market was organized to create new income opportunities for area growers, to offer consumers higher quality, farm fresh produce, and to promote a better understanding between urban and rural communities. 

The ExtraORDinary Farmers Market will be held in Ord at the Little Park, on 18^th street between O and P, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. every Friday.  The first farmer’s market of the year will be held on June 4 and the season will continue through September or the first frost.  If you are interested in being a vendor you can find more information here and the registration form can be found here.

Health Care Reform

While we’re not going to get wrapped up in the politicking of the Health Care Reform Act, we *are* working with Congressman Adrian Smith’s office to inform local businesses of the impact of the new legislation.  Those changes will be broad and comprehensive.

Congressman Smith has sent along a downloadable brochure that can assist local businesses understand the impact HRA will have on their business and the timeline in which they need to act.  Details of the brochure cover:

+ General provisions update
+ Reform timeline & impact
+ Dependent age eligibility changes
+ W-2 reporting requirements
+ Medicare payroll tax changes
+ Medical expenses deduction changes
+ New employer mandate

Let me know if this information is of value.  As a Chamber, we’ll work on getting details of the reform to you asap and as we know them.

Tracking economic growth

One of the fun things about my job is when I get to study local, statewide and national drivers of local economic growth, and then seek to understanding the leading indicators that show that very growth in our area.  We’ve said before that new business creation, job creation and workforce growth have all increased above the statewide average in the past ten years (with exception to wage growth) in Valley County, but one of the most fun indicators I get to watch is the growth in our sales tax receipts.

Aside from the year and a half the ethanol plant was built (and the additional temporary 500 residents in the county), 2010 is set to be the second-best year of collections on record since we started tracking it in 2001.  For nearly ten years, net taxable sales tax receipts in Ord and Valley County are growing at a level unseen, and 2010 is set to be our best year as long as projections hold out when you eliminate the time the extra workforce was in the area.  This correlates very well with our retail pull analysis, which shows local retail strength the best since 1991.

Nebraska Department of Revenue has all the details here.  Sales tax collections are an important piece in rural development efforts, especially in Ord because of our local option for municipal economic development.  For every dollar spent in Ord, 4/10 of 1% goes to a fund for economic development in which our office lends out in low interest loans to the local business community.  What does this mean?  The more you spend locally, the better you support the long term economic vitality in our communities.

This growth also coincides with the inception of Valley County Economic Development.  This is certainly not a coincidence.  Aggressive, proactive rural development is one critical piece of the pie to built strong, viable small towns.  There are a whole host of others, which we’ll cover soon.

~ Caleb

2010 Summer Photo Contest

(Ord, NE) – The Ord Area Chamber’s Summer Media Capture Contest is back!  Once again, you will have the opportunity to submit photos, representative of each month’s theme, for a chance to win great prizes.

There will be over $1000 in total prize money awarded throughout the course of this contest.  The prize for each month’s first place photo is $200 in Ord Chamber Bucks.  Second place photos for each month will receive $100 in Ord Chamber Bucks.  Prizes can be claimed at the Ord Chamber Office, 1514 K. Street.

The 2010 contest themes are as follows:
+ June: Wide Open Spaces – Breathtaking Views
+ July: Wildlife Watching
+ August: Rural Farm & Ranch
+ September: Community Event Memories

Details of the contest guidelines can be found at www.ordnebraska.com/2010-summer-photo-contest.  Photos must be submitted by the third Friday of each month and online voting will take place during the last week of each month, unless otherwise stated.  Winners will be announced on the last Friday of each month.  Announcements will be made on www.ordnebraska.com/blog, the Ord, Nebraska Facebook page, and on Twitter.

To refresh your memory, here are the guidelines:
+ Photos must be taken in Valley County.
+ An individual may only submit one photo per month (per theme).
+ Photos from the 2009 Summer Media Capture Contest are not allowed to be resubmitted.
+ Photos must be submitted in a digital format.
+ Participants are not required to reside in Valley County.
+ Professional photographers are allowed to compete in this competition.
+ The Ord Area Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to use submitted photos in any online or print publication.

Photos can be emailed to valleycountyed@frontiernet.net in the formats specified above or photos can be saved on a CD and dropped off at the Ord Chamber Office, 1514 K. Street. The following information must also be submitted: photographer’s name, phone number, mailing address, e-mail address, and description of photo (e.g. location).

We’re looking forward to your entries!

Davis Creek Fishing Contest

(North Loup) – Our friends at Davis Creek Bait & Tackle are sponsoring the 3rd Annual School’s Out Fishing Contest at Davis Creek Reservoir on Saturday, May 22nd. Davis Creek is located 5 miles south of North Loup. You can find directions here.  May 22nd is also the Nebraska Kid’s Free Fishing Day, a day to share the joy of fishing with children.

Weigh-in and a free meal will be held at 6pm in Alumni Park, North Loup.  Alumni park is located 1 mile south of the Pump and Pantry.  Each age group will have three divisions:  Largest fish, Most fish, Smallest fish.  A special division for catfish will be included this year.  All fish must comply with state regulations, which can be found here.  All children up to 18 are eligible.  AND – lots of goodies are to be won that day for kids.

For more information or to register, contact Stephen Scott at (308) 750-8007 or visit Davis Creek Bait & Tackle (Hwy 22, North Loup) or the North Loup Cafe.

Volf joins VCED & Ord Area Chamber

(Ord, NE) – Kristina Volf has recently joined Valley County Economic Development and the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce as a summer marketing intern.  Kristina will assist the Chamber and economic development efforts that will increase the visibility of Ord and Valley County.  Project tasks will include coordinating the 2011 Escape to Loup Valley tourism campaign, planning and implementing area summer activities and events, and designing the 2010 Summer Photo Contest.

Kristina has just finished her junior year at UNL in business administration. We posted awhile back about the hiring of the position, and I’m pretty excited to dive into our slate of tourism projects this year with Kristina.  One of the projects, the summer photo contest mentioned above, will be launched within the next week.  We had a ton of fun last year, and this summer’s campaign will build on last year’s effort.

Join me in welcoming Kristina aboard!

Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting

The Valley County Tourism Advisory Committee will be hosting a special meeting tonight, 5:30 pm at the Ord Area Chamber offices.  You can download an agenda and last month’s minutes here.

Fun stuff on tap tonight.  Feel free to join us.

Tapping a $46 million market

(Ord, NE) – Upcoming workshops in Red Cloud, Ord and Ogallala aim to help ag producers, land owners, businesses, local governments and individuals tap an emerging market valued at over $46 million.  Jim Mallman of Watchable Wildlife, Inc. will present usable information for participants to learn how to build nature-based attractions and wildlife tourism programs.

Workshops will be held in Red Cloud on May 18, Ord on May 19 and Ogallala on May 20.  Costs to attend the daylong workshops are just $25 if you register by May 10^th, $40 after.  Lunch and refreshments are included with registration.  Visit the Nebraska Development Network—Central Region website at www.ndncr.com to register.  Additional questions can be answered by calling (308) 995-3190.

2010 ExtraORDinary Days

We’re finalizing the schedule of events for ExtraORDinary Days 2010.  We would like to thank Ord Rotary for all their assistance in organizing the event, along with the Loup Valley Jaycees for heading up the street dance and community Olympics.  Join us as we celebrate the most ExtraORDinary community around!

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2010
7:00 pm Rubber Duck Race #5 Tee Box Ord Golf Course

FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2010
Carnival provided by Richard’s Amusements – Friday & Saturday, May 28 & 29
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. ExtraORDinary Jail – Valley County Courthouse
4:00 p.m. Shrine Circus – Valley County Fairgrounds
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. FFA Barbecue – Valley County Courthouse
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Fun, Games & Music – Valley County Courthouse
7:00 p.m. Shrine Circus – Valley County Fairgrounds
7:30 p.m. Calcutta for Community Olympics – Southside Bar
9:00 p.m. Dance to Jake & Gabe @ Southside Bar – Sponsored by Loup Valley Jaycees

SATURDAY, May 29, 2010
7:30 a.m. Community Olympics Begin – Aubles Pond @ Bussell Park
9:00 a.m. Community Olympics Volleyball – Sand Court, Bussell Park
9:00 a.m. Community Olympics Basket – Basketball Court, Bussell Park
9:00 a.m. Community Olympics Disc Golf – Bussell Park
10:00 a.m. Kids Fishing Contest – Aubles Pond @ Bussell Park
11-1:00 p.m. FREE Hotdog Feed sponsored by Frontier Communications – Valley Co Courthouse
1:00 p.m. Community Olympics Softball – Softball Field, Bussell Park
1:00-2:00 p.m. Kids Games – Valley County Courthouse
2:30 p.m. Free Children’s Movie – Valley Cinema
4:00 p.m. Community Olympics Amazing Race – Valley County Courthouse
4:00-8:00 pm Ethnic Food Fare, Flea Mkt, Music & Entertainment – Valley County Courthouse
7:00 p.m. Community Olympics Obstacle Course – Ord Town Square
9:00 p.m. Teen Dance—Ord Grocery Kart Parking Lot – Sponsored by OHS Cheerleaders

SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2010
11:00-1:00 Pancake Feed – Ord Fire Hall

In Case of Inclement Weather listen to KNLV Radio for changes in location of scheduled events.

Learning from Success

Fast Company has a great blurb about learning from success versus failure.  In it, Alex Bogusky, co-chairman of Crispin Porter + Bogusky, talks about the implications of learning from failure and the culture of fear that it breeds.  What I find interesting is that this phenomena plays into a conversation we started months ago about positive psychology and the success it brings to communities.  Turns out it may not be that different in business, either.

Have a look:

Great Park Pursuit

Ord’s very own Bussell Park is a featured location, out of 15 Nebrasks parks, in the 2010 Great Park Pursuit.

You can read up on details of the competition here, you can check out the statewide locations here and download Bussell Park form with the nature impression details and a marker clue here.  If you’re interested in learning more about Ord’s parks and recreational opportunities, visit our parks page on the website here.

Hope to see you out at Bussell Park!

Awards Banquet Winners

I’d like to send along a hearty congratulations to our 2009 Awards Banquet winners for their dedication and volunteerism to Ord and the surrounding areas.  Our 2009 Category winners are:

Employee of the Year: Alan Gabriel
Volunteer of the Year: Megan Cargill
Business of the Year: Speeds Apple Market
Community Educator of the Year: Lon & Sandy Bartholomew
ExtraORDinary Student of the Year: Debra Wray
Entrepreneur of the Year: Anne Clausen/Stitches
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty: Megan Cargill
ExtraORDinary Person of the Year: Sara and Jim Andreesen/Valley House of Hope

Congrats to everyone involved!  Here’s to a great 2010!

Byways Passport

Nebraska Travel and Tourism is rolling out a new program for Nebraska Travelers:  The Nebraska Byways Passport Program.  Byways Passport is a great way to get out and explore Nebraska’s scenic byways and take home prizes, to boot.

Recall Ord is located smack dab in the middle of the Loup Rivers Scenic Byway, and our local Passport checkpoints are located at Fort Hartsuff, Happy Jack Chalk Mine and the St. Paul Baseball Hall of Fame.  Stop by the local checkpoints and get your passport stamped.  Simple as that.

While you’re in the area, don’t forget a couple other local gems – Davis Creek Reservoir, Anderson Island and Bussell Park.  A couple of my own favorite byways?  Hwy 136 runs along the river I grew up on, the Republican, and is as hidden a gem as the North Loup.  Hwy 385 meanders through the Wildcat Hills, a slice of Nebraska’s own badlands and an awesome place to catch a sunset.  And if you can make it up to Fort Rob on the Bridges to Buttes, you won’t ever be disappointed.  One of the most underrated places in the nation.

Now get out there and win some loot!

2009 Annual Report

In conjunction with our 2009 Annual Awards Banquet, we’ve released our annual report from last year.  You can download the report here.  When you’re mired in the thick of it all, I often find it hard to see what impact we’ve made.  When you put it all on paper, however, it really adds up.  I can say I’m darn proud of the work we’ve accomplished as a community.  Without the support of all of you out there, this success would *never* have happened.  Congrats to Ord and Valley County!!!

Microfinance works

The Globe and Mail out of Toronto has a great read today on the importance of microfinance.  As many of you know, microfinance is the engine that has driven our growth for 10 years in Ord and Valley County.  Nearly a full third of our 104 new businesses have used local microfinancing to start-up, grow, expand or rebuild.  The Globe and Mail details microfinance’s impact:
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“A local credit union in Toronto was offering small loans to people with low credit scores or no credit history, provided they formulate a business plan. Mr. Tsiriotakis applied, and got $5,000, which he used to buy bottles and pay shipping costs for more barrels of oil.

Acropolis Organics now distributes almost half a million dollars worth of olive oil and balsamic vinegar a year into U.S. and Canadian markets. Mr. Tsiriotakis, 35, says he’s doing “very well,” acquiring a fleet of vehicles and holidaying in places like Brazil. He’s also a taxpayer who now employs two full-time and six part-time workers.”
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Ord has experienced similar results. I drafted some figures for a colleague in Norfolk last night that puts our results into perspective:
- 104 new businesses, 17 expansions and 21 business transfers
- 225 new jobs created from 2001-2008
- Total non-farm wage and salary employment in Valley County increased 15.9 percent (239 jobs) from 2001 to 2008, compared to a 5.6 percent increase for Nebraska as a whole, a 3.7 percent increase in metropolitan Nebraska, and a 2.2 percent increase in non-metropolitan Nebraska.” (Overhue, 2010).
- Strongest retail pull since 1991
- Total labor force growth of 9.0% between 2001-2008

Don’t just take it from me.  We’ve been recognized regularly (as has our business community) on a national scale for our efforts.  If you have interest in the “how” of our microfinance programs, have a look at three programs that can help your business grow:

- Ord City sales tax loan program (4% interest loans)
- Valley County business corridor improvement program (0% interest loans)
- Revitalize Downtown Ord loan program (0% interest loans)

Microfinance works.  Feel free to join us as we build rural America from the bottom up.

New Physician Joins VCHS

Our friends over at Valley County Health System have exciting news:  a new physician is coming to Ord and Valley County!  You can read VCHS’ release below, or check it out on their website here.  Congrats to all the folks who made this happen, this is great news indeed!

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Ord, NE — Valley County Health System is pleased to announce the addition of Chris Unterseher, M.D. to its staff of medical providers.  Dr. Unterseher will begin his practice on August 2, 2010 at Ord Family Health Center.

Unterseher earned his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2000 and his Doctor of Medicine in 2005 from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine.  Dr. Unterseher is currently completing a combined residency in Family Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa School of Community Medicine.

“On behalf of the Board, Medical Staff and our employees, we are extremely pleased that Dr. Unterseher, with roots in the central Nebraska region, has agreed to begin his medical practice in Ord. He will be a very complementary fit to our medical staff and fulfills our objective to add another physician to better serve the medical needs of the residents in this region,” stated Larry Schrage, CEO of Valley County Health System.

For more information, call Ord Family Health Center at 308.728.3606

Economic Development Board Meeting

The Valley County Economic Development Board will be holding their monthly meeting today, noon, at the Chamber offices.  You can download an agenda here.  Today’s going to be a fantastic meeting – lots going on in our community and if you’re interested, stop on by.

Rural economy gaining jobs

The Daily Yonder has an interesting post about the latest rural economy job gain.  Ord and Valley County clock in with slight job gains in February 2010.  Rural Nebraska as a whole saw strong growth.  The Yonder reports:

“In February, however, the nation added jobs, and rural communities got their share.  Rural counties added more than 62,000 jobs from January to February, and in those same counties, there were 14,000 fewer unemployed.  Those job gains were not spread evenly across rural America, as the map above shows.  The green counties showed job gains between January and February. (The darker the green, the more jobs were added.)  Red counties lost jobs.”

You can peek at the big map here, or check out Valley County’s gains to the right (hint – we’re the square with the red dot).

Watchable wildlife

Jim Mallman, President of Watchable Wildlife, Inc. will be traveling to Ord May 19th to present usable information for entrepreneurs, outfitters, landowners and municipalities for business development around wildlife watching.

Jim’s message is clear to our area residents who are interested in joining us on May 19th – “To Help Communities and Wildlife Prosper”.  Have a look at Jim’s message below:

“I am really excited about the three workshops we have scheduled for Nebraska. This offers Watchable Wildlife Inc. the opportunity to demonstrate the real power potential of Wildlife/Nature Tourism. Our objective in developing these workshops was not to take this message to regions of the country where tourism is already thriving.

There are certainly benefits to be gained in any community by implementing a Wildlife/Nature Tourism Program. However our key interest is to work with communities where tourism is not the first thing they think of when wrestling with the challenges of promoting economic development. We hope to provide regional planners, business owners and residences with some ideas on how this can be done while preserving and enhancing the area’s natural treasures, historical sites and quality of life.

By having a better understanding of exactly what you have to offer and just who your potential market is, you have a better idea of what steps need to be taken to promote your region. We all need to better understand the real value of our wildlife and wild areas if we hope to pass them on to future generations. The tendency is for us to take them for granted because we see them every day. In addition to providing us with a new potential economic base, these natural assets can give a community a stronger appreciation for where you live.”

If you have interest in joining us, you can register here.  We hope to see you in May!

Banquet!

Reminder alert!  If you haven’t already, you can purchase your tickets for the Ord Area Chamber/Valley County Economic Development awards banquet this week at the Chamber offices.  Tickets are $25/person, $45/couple.  The banquet will be *this* Saturday, May 1st, 6pm at the Ord Vets Club.  We will be honoring area businesses and volunteers for their service in these categories:

- Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
- Community Educator of the Year
- ExtraORDinary Student of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Entrepreneur of the Year
- Employee of the Year
- Business of the Year
- ExtraORDinary Person of the Year

We hope you can make it!!

An ExtraORDinary Event

Memorial Day weekend is around the corner – and so is ExtraORDinary Days.  We have a fantastic line-up of events this year and have something for everyone.  Have a look below – we hope you can join us in the festivities!

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2010
7:00 pm Rubber Duck Race #5 Tee Box Ord Golf Course

FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2010
Carnival provided by Richard’s Amusements – Friday & Saturday, May 28 & 29
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. ExtraORDinary Jail – Valley County Courthouse
5:00 p.m. Shrine Circus – Valley County Fairgrounds
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. FFA Barbecue – Valley County Courthouse
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Fun, Games & Music – Valley County Courthouse
7:00 p.m. Shrine Circus – Valley County Fairgrounds
7:30 p.m. Calcutta for Community Olympics – Southside Bar
9:00 p.m. Dance to Jake & Gabe @ Southside Bar – Sponsored by Loup Valley Jaycees

SATURDAY, May 29, 2010
7:30 a.m. Community Olympics Begin – Aubles Pond @ Bussell Park
9:00 a.m. Community Olympics Volleyball – Sand Court, Bussell Park
9:00 a.m. Community Olympics Basket – Basketball Court, Bussell Park
9:00 a.m. Community Olympics Disc Golf – Bussell Park
10:00 a.m. Kids Fishing Contest – Aubles Pond @ Bussell Park
11-1:00 p.m. FREE Hotdog Feed – West Side of Valley Co Courthouse
1:00 p.m. Community Olympics Softball – Softball Field, Bussell Park
1:00-2:00 p.m. Kids Games – Valley County Courthouse
2:30 p.m. Free Children’s Movie – Valley Cinema
4:00 p.m. Community Olympics Amazing Race – Valley County Courthouse
4:00-8:00 pm Ethnic Food Fare, Flea Mkt, Music & Entertainment -Valley County Courthouse
7:00 p.m. Community Olympics Obstacle Course – Ord Town Square
9:00 p.m. Teen Dance—Ord Grocery Kart Parking Lot – Sponsored by OHS Cheerleaders

SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2010
11:00-1:00 Pancake Feed – Ord Fire Hall

In Case of Inclement Weather listen to KNLV Radio for changes in location of scheduled events.

Local entrepreneurs in national spotlight

We recently mentioned that a local business (Sandhills Glass and Garage Doors) had been recognized by a national outfit, the Association for Enterprise Opportunity.  Their new series on microenterprise, The Voices of Microenterprise, is out for your viewing pleasure.  The owners of Sandhills Glass and Garage Doors, Brad and Gina Babb, are featured in a 4-part series which you can watch below.  The Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) has the scoop here.  Congrats Brad and Gina!!!

The Babbs: Owners, Sandhills Glass & Garage Doors (Ord, NE) from Creative Counsel on Vimeo.

Valley County Courthouse Ribbon Cutting

Today we celebrated of our $300,000 grant award from USDA Rural Development for the establishment of an area-wide revolving loan fund, the first project being the renovation of the historic Valley County Courthouse.  The courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is indeed a gem on our historic downtown square.  Photos of the ribbon cutting are below, and details of the grant award are here.  Kudos to Ord, Valley County and the Loup Valley!

Breaking ground at OHS

Our pals (thanks Jen) over at Ord High sent along video from yesterday’s groundbreaking for the $9.8 million renovation and new building project.  We posted about the event last week here, and you can read details on the groundbreaking from the Grand Island Independent here.  Way to go Ord!

Welcome to the new Ord, Nebraska

I’d like to welcome you to the new www.ordnebraska.com. Here we’ve re-focused our web efforts to be more inviting to the viewer and design a dynamic website that speaks to people. I hope it does justice to the amazing people, places and things to do in our little berg.

Our site is focused on providing information to people based on three simple areas – Live, Work and Play – in Ord, Nebraska.

Have a look around and don’t be shy – if you see an error (bound to happen) or an omission (totally by mistake) don’t hesitate to comment below and we’ll do our best to take care of it.

~ Caleb

Big money in wildlife watching

There’s big money in wildlife watching. Just look at the figures: over the past 20 years, participation in wildlife watching, particularly bird watching, has increased nationally by more than 266%. Conservative estimates put the value to the US economy alone at over $40 billion dollars. During the same time, national participation rates in both hunting and fishing continue to decline.

Jim Mallman of Watchable Wildlife Inc. will be hosting several workshops to share insights about how entrepreneurs, outfitters, individuals, businesses and municipalities can build nature-based or wildlife tourism programs. Workshops will be held in Red Cloud on May 18, Ord on May 19 and Ogallala on May 20. These workshops are especially suitable for current Nebraska outfitters looking to diversify their non-game season by building wildlife encounter experiences.

Workshops begin at 8:30am and run through 4:00pm with lunch and refreshments provided. The cost for early-bird registration is $25 if participants sign-up before May 11. The cost for late registrants is $40. For more information, including registration forms, visit the Nebraska Development Network Central Region website at www.ndncr.com or contact Sharon or Jodi at (308) 995-3190.

Ord Alumni Weekend

The Ord Alumni Committee has details out about the July 4th Alumni weekend festivities. This brochure can give you the skinny; expect events, tours, a banquet and area lodging information on the form. See you July 4th weekend!

Chamber Board Meeting

Reminder: Today is the Ord Area Chamber’s monthly Board meeting (noon, Chamber offices 1514 K Street). An agenda can be downloaded here. We hope you can join us!

Ord High School News

We have word that Ord Public Schools will be celebrating the groundbreaking of the high school renovation and new gym project this April 21st at 11am.  For you non-Ord viewers, this is the result of a hard fought bond campaign last November.

You’re invited to celebrate this momentous occasion with us – see you at the school!

Ord Little League

The Loup Valley Jaycees are helping with Little League baseball this year and asked that we help distribute sign-up forms and rules. Behold! Each age group is listed below and the forms are downloadable for your little slugger.

T-ball sign-up sheet (.pdf)

Coach pitch sign-up sheet (.pdf)

Little League Pee Wees sign-up sheet (.pdf)
Pee Wee 2010 Rules (.pdf)

Pony baseball sign-up sheet (.pdf)
Pony 2010 rules (.pdf)

Formal USDA Grant Award Announcement

Here is our formal announcement for the USDA grant win we’ve mentioned a couple weeks ago. We’ll be hosting a ribbon cutting 4/22 at 11am, with Senator Kate Sullivan, the LVRPPD Board of Directors and the Valley County Supervisors in attendance. We’re hoping Maxine Moul (the Nebraska state director of USDA – Rural Development) will be able to attend as well. I hope you can join us!!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Chuck Fuhrer
Loup Valleys Rural Public Power
606 S Street
Ord, NE 68862
(308) 728-3633
cfuhrer@frontiernet.net

USDA grant won by Loup Valleys RPPD and Valley County

(Ord, NE) – The Loup Valley Area has won a major grant award to establish a revolving economic development loan fund for the LVRPPD service area. The initial funds will be loaned to Valley County to assist in the renovation of the Valley County Courthouse. Installation of an elevator, fire exit stairway, fire sprinkler system and an upgrade to the fire alarm system will bring enhanced safety to Courthouse occupants.

The funding being provided is from the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program, administered by USDA Rural Development. The program provides interest free loans and grants to local utilities that re-lend money to local businesses for projects that will create and retain jobs in rural areas.

Funds from the grant will be repaid from Valley County over the course of ten years, with repayment formalizing another economic development fund for region-wide benefit. Communities and businesses within the Loup Valleys RPPD service area interested in details of the program can contact Chuck Fuhrer at (308) 728-3633.

A formal announcement and ribbon cutting with the LVRPPD Board of Directors, Valley County Supervisors, Senator Kate Sullivan and other state dignitaries will be held Thursday, April 22^nd at 11:00 am on the steps of the Valley County Courthouse.

Monthly newsletter available

Our monthly report is now available. We have a recap on the USDA grant award, upcoming area events, awesome sales tax collection figures and much more. Have a look here.

National effort recognizes local business

Waaay back in October, we mentioned that Brad and Gina Babb of Sandhills Glass and Garage Doors were recognized by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity as an exemplary model for their use of microfinance to grow their business.

AEO recently released the the first of five videos that showcases national microenterprise success stories; Brad and Gina are one of the four businesses included in the video series. Check it out here. (Scroll down the main page and click away on the video.)

This is yet another case of fantastic recognition for all the amazing things going on in Ord and the surrounding areas. Brad and Gina have been great supporters of economic development and recipients of assistance from our local economic development loan fund. Put simply, microenterprise works in rural America. It’s nice to see a national organization that agrees with us.

A needed hat tip goes out to Jeff Reynolds at REAP, and Gene Rahn for working with Brad, Gina and myself in developing a plan to make Sandhills Glass and Garage Doors a rural success story.

Congrats Brad and Gina!

Loup Valley Soapbox Rally

Father’s Day weekend (June 19) is a big weekend in Ord with the Father’s Day Rod Run in town. It’s about to get even more epic with the Loup Valley Soapbox Rally. Photos of the soapbox derby can be see here – we had a great turnout and great kids participate in last year’s event. What was evident last year was the parental glee in racing the soapbox cars after the kids were finished. So…we opened up an adult division this year. You can download the rules, regs and registration form here. You can follow the event on Facebook here.

Spread the word – we’ll see you Father’s Day weekend.

Changes to a local financing program

Last night, City Council approved changes to our Valley County Business Corridor Microloan pool that drops the 4% interest rate to 0%. That means you, the Valley County business owner, can get up to $10,000 at 0% interest for property improvements if the property resides on a major Valley County thoroughfare. Interested? Drop me a line and we can give you details: calebpollard@frontiernet.net

Wildlife Workshop

Back in February, we posted some information about an upcoming wildlife watching workshop we were working on with our economic development partners. Good news! It’s ready to roll. We did move the date back a bit, and you can read the first of many, press releases below. Enjoy!

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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Sharon Hueftle
South Central Economic Development District, Inc.
PO Box 79; 502 East Avenue (2nd floor)
Holdrege, NE 68949
308-995-3190, www.scedd.us

Nature and Wildlife Tourism Workshops

Holdrege, NE – Jim Mallman of Watchable Wildlife Inc. will be hosting several workshops to share insights into how individuals and businesses can build sustainable nature/wildlife tourism programs. The first workshop will be held in Red Cloud on May 18 followed by workshops in Ord on May 19 and Ogallala on May 20. Watchable Wildlife Inc. is a nonprofit working with federal, state and local wildlife and tourism professionals to help communities and wildlife prosper.

Figures generated by public agencies, private institutions and news sources are showing substantial growth in “non-game” wildlife related to recreation. Simply put, people with money want to watch birds and animals in their natural habitat. The economic influence of this area of recreation has been conservatively estimated at $46 billion in the U.S. economy alone. After all these years, what is the explanation for this explosion in wildlife viewing?

The real story seems to be hidden in an interesting shift in our culture. Understanding these reasons and defining ways to predict future growth can generate substantial benefits to rural communities with abundant access to nature.

“This is designed for businesses and individuals that have an interest in beginning or may already be involved in the area of tourism or are considering expanding into this lucrative area,” says Sharon Hueftle of the South Central Economic Development District. “Nature based tourism can be a wonderful addition to a bed and breakfast, motel, hunting enterprise or restaurant. Landowners can derive additional income without additional inputs by granting access to wildlife enthusiasts. We’re also looking for people who have knowledge about the natural environment of Nebraska who are interested in sharing that knowledge with visitors.”

Watchable Wildlife Inc. is an organization dedicated to helping communities harness and conserve this great natural resource. Come learn more about the key factors responsible for fueling the tremendous growth of this industry.

The workshops will begin at 8:30am and will run until 4:00pm with lunch and refreshments included. The registration fee is $25 before May 11^th (after this date the fee increases to $40). For registration forms, please visit the Nebraska Development Network Central Region website at www.ndncr.com or if you have any questions, please contact Sharon or Jodi at (308) 995-3190.

Now hiring

Valley County Economic Development is seeking applicants for a 2010 summer marketing intern. The position will be designated as contract labor and will be approximately 32 hours/week. Pay is commiserate with experience. Current college students with a background in business, marketing or advertising are preferred.

Internship duties include:
- Coordinate the redesign of the ESCAPE to Loup Valleys Tourism Coalition travel guide and website
- Assist with the planning and coordination of ExtraORDinary Days and the No ORDinary Adventure Race
- Assist with outreach campaign with Ord-area alumni
- Distribute business and event brochures to businesses in the surrounding area during travel season
- Implementation of viral marketing efforts through Facebook, Twitter and Flickr
- Contribute to the design and implementation of the 2010 summer photo contest
- Customer interfacing during summer tourism season

Interested parties should email (and email only) resumes and a cover letter to: calebpollard@frontiernet.net

The application deadline for the position is no later than 4/12/10 @ 5pm CST. Valley County Economic Development is an Equal Opportunity Employer.