Did you know there is a way to work with others in our communities to ensure Valley County will have permanent savings accounts to provide funding for present and future needs and opportunities?

This option for charitable giving is to support local foundation endowments.  An endowment account acts as a permanent savings account where only interest earned is used to support projects and programs related to each endowed account.  As the endowment grows there will be consistent funding available to support our needs and opportunities in the future!  Right now in Valley County, endowments have been set up to support education, youth, libraries, the hospital, the golf course, churches, leadership development, economic development, community needs and more. 

There are many creative and convenient ways to participate in endowment building.  Financial support can be achieved through cash gifts as well as numerous other tax-wise ways of giving that will benefit Valley County. People can plan gifts of real estate, agricultural commodities, securities, retirement accounts, and other assets. Gifts of any size can make a positive difference in the future of the projects and programs you care about the most.  By offering contributions now and establishing planned gifts in our estate plans we can create a legacy that will last beyond our lifetimes and ensure quality of life for generations to come.

We have much to be thankful for, and a lot of those benefits came from the vision and hard work of those who preceded us.  As supporters of charitable causes here in Valley County, we’ve seen extraordinary examples of people in our communities planting seeds for those who will follow them.

Planning for the future of Valley County through support for local foundations and endowed accounts empowers us to draw on our own resources and vision to safeguard the future of our beautiful area. To learn more about supporting your community through local charitable giving contact the Valley County Community Foundation Fund at 308-728-7875, Valley County Health System Foundation at 308-728-3011, or the Ord Township Library Foundation at 308-728-3012.

What’s been going on these past three months? Quite a bit. This quarter’s report has details on two new sales tax loans, eCommerce project activity, the Community Foundation’s business discovery day, Chamber ribbon cuttings and more.

You can download the Spring 2012 quarterly report here. 2012 is off to a great start!

Sometimes, all the news fit to print isn’t good news. As much as I try to pump sunshine 24/7/365, sometimes change happens as they say. I want to spend this morning thanking Janie Zadina for 7 years of dedication to making Ord and Valley County the very best of the good life. Janie is leaving VCED and the Ord Area Chamber this week as our Program Coordinator. She has spent the past 7 years working tirelessly for the cause of both our organizations and her work will ensure that our communities are better, stronger and more resilient.

In the nearly 4 years that I have known her, Janie has been a true community patron putting her time, talent and treasure into community betterment. She was a part-time staff member that brought a more-than-full-time commitment to the cause. Her community patronage has been an example that I hope to live up to. I am eternally grateful to have Janie’s example of servant leadership to learn from as I have worked for Ord and Valley County.

Moving forward, VCED and the Chamber will look at program updates and tweaks to the position. Our priority will be to ensure our business community has first considerations in any modifications to the job vacancy while also seeking the best qualified candidate to fill the open position. We have a few new programs coming through the pipeline and want to ensure that you all have maximum access to the resources to make your business more competitive, more profitable and stronger in 2012.

We cannot hope to replace the work that Janie has done these past 7 years and her absence will be felt for a long time. Please join me in thanking Janie for her time here at VCED and the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce.

Yours truly,

Caleb Pollard
Executive Director
Valley County Economic Development/Ord Area Chamber of Commerce

Loup Valley Ag Society of Ord will host the upcoming Central Nebraska NJHSRA sanctioned Junior High School Rodeo at the Valley County Fairgrounds to be held on May 5 and 6, 2012.  Rodeos will start at 10:00 am each morning.

This two day event will feature approximately two hundred 6-7-8th grade rodeo contestants from the entire state in 11 different rodeo events.

Loup Valley Ag Society is currently looking for sponsors and/or volunteers to help with this upcoming event.  Contact Von Svoboda at (308) 730-1140 or any Fair Board Member.

Arcadia contestant, Clay Bauer, is ranked 2nd in the NJHSRA Team Roping events and will be competing during the May 5-6th NSHRA Junior High Rodeo at the Loup Valley Fairgrounds in Ord.

Currently leading state in the Bull Riding event, Cade Svoboda of Ord, will be among the many contestants competing during the NJHSRA Junior High Rodeo in May. Svoboda is also ranked 2nd in the Chute Dogging state standings.

The Valley County Economic Development Board will be meeting on Wednesday, March 28th at 7:00 pm at the Economic Development office.

Items for discussion include:

- An Architect Internship Opportunity
- Updates on New Neighborhoods and business development activities
- 2012 Economic Trend Report
- Various task force reports including commercial property acquisition, sale tax reelection, and housing.

You can download this meeting’s agenda as well as the minutes from the last meeting.

Did you know you can support your favorite local organizations with as little as $100 a year? The Valley County Community Foundation Fund, an affiliated fund with the Nebraska Community Foundation, supports community betterment through philanthropy.

You can give any amount you want and no amount is too small. You can have the funds deducted automatically from your checking account and have it automated for renewal. As of today, the Valley County Community Foundation Fund supports these key community objectives:

– General Fund Endowment (to support philanthropy in Valley County)
– Ord Township Library
– Loup Valley Ag Society (the Valley County Fair, 4-H and others)
– Ord Golf Course
– Valley County Economic Development Endowment
– Hometown Competitiveness Endowment supporting youth, leadership and entrepreneurship

The Community Foundation Fund has helped to re-establish recycling in our area with the help of the Future Business Leaders of America at Ord High School; the Foundation Fund has also organized a business discovery day with area high schools from Valley, Greeley and Sherman Counties. A community foundation endowment acts as an annuity or savings account for community improvement. The more that is given to a foundation, the more earned-interest that can be used to support the things that are near and dear to our hearts.

If you want to support your community activities and organizations, please consider donating to the cause. It’s easy, it’s simple and quick. To donate, visit HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Your support is essential to keeping the Good Life great Thank you!

Nearly 28 years ago, two entrepreneurs started the Pizza Palace with two full-time employees.  Due to the hard work and dedication of current owners, Darrell and Sandy Fischer, the restaurant located in Burwell, Nebraska has grown to require twenty part-time employees.  Darrell and Sandy have owned the business for 23 years and during that time they have witnessed the restaurant’s exponential growth among the locals and visitors to the area.  Sandy states, “The business has grown over the years due to the lake and sporting events.”

They have also expanded their product lines to include pasta which has been a big hit as well as frozen pizzas which are convenient for their customers.  Not only has the menu changed throughout the years but there have been several renovations since the Fischer’s have been the owners.  Renovations took place in 2008 to the exterior of the building and the interior of the restaurant was remodeled in April 2010.

The Fischer’s describe their greatest success story when they received an email saying “Burwell should be known for pizza along with the rodeo!”  One thing Darrell and Sandy would like the community to know about their  business is they continue to strive for perfection and they are willing to make accommodations for their customers.

As a locally owned business, Darrell, Sandy, and their employees understand the importance of buying locally.  “Buying locally goes hand in hand with the economy.  It keeps us in business and as long as you are still in  business, you can give back to the community.  It doesn’t have to be financially; it can be volunteering your time at community events or sharing your knowledge.”

You can contact the Pizza Palace at (308) 346-5200 or follow them on Facebook.

A newly formed networking committee named the Valley County Philanthropic Partners (VCPP) has been created as a means to bring local charitable organizations together.  This committee will give nonprofit organizations the opportunity to share ideas and resources, align fundraising events and campaigns, and promote charitable giving as a unified body for the greater good of the entire county!

Currently the Valley County Health Systems Foundation, Valley County Community Foundation Fund, Valley County Economic Development, Ord Township Library Foundation, Ord Golf Club Foundation, Ord-Arcadia TeamMates Chapter, Central Community College Foundation and Ord High School Foundation are participating in the VCPP.  Members of organizations throughout Valley County are welcome to join this partnership.

Right now the VCPP is working towards the following:
– Updating all contact and general information about local nonprofits, charities and service groups for the “Get Involved” Page: www.ordnebraska.com/live/get-involved.
– Creating a brochure which will list all charitable organizations that are involved with our committee.
– Publishing weekly philanthropic articles that will include general information about local charitable giving and features on local organizations.
– Communicating all events and progress being made by individual organizations throughout Valley County.
– Building a culture of giving by encouraging our citizens throughout Valley County to extend their time, talent, and treasure for the benefit of our entire community.

Long term Goals include:
– Organizing an annual Valley County Charitable Giving Day.
– Partnering with financial planners in the area to sponsor a charitable giving workshop for citizens on “Ways to Give Back to your Community”.
– Charitable organizations throughout Valley County are invited to participate in this partnership.  The VCPP is currently holding monthly meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at various locations throughout the county.  Cooperative participation from all nonprofits throughout Valley County would strengthen the group as a whole and benefit each organization through the goals accomplished.

Working together through a united partnership will reap great benefits for all of Valley County!  Watch for the Focus on Philanthropy column each week to learn more about the Valley County Philanthropic Partners and ways to give back to your community through time, talent, and treasure!

If you have any questions please contact Dahn Hagge, Coordinator of the Valley County Community Foundation Fund at 308-728-7875 or dahnhagge@gmail.com.

Keep Loup Basin Beautiful is hosting a major applicance, electronics and battery recycling collection is coming up in April. The event is sponsored by the Loup Basin RC&D, Keep Loup Basin Beautiful, PC Recycling, KAB, and the NE DEQ.

The event is APRIL 21, 9 AM TO 1 PM ONLY (NO EARLY OR LATE DROPOFFS). The recycling collection will be held at the Valley County Fairgrounds and a free-will donation will be taken for the Ord Future Farmers of America.

Eligible items for drop-off includes:

- All computers and related electronics
- Printers, copiers, cell phones, cd/dvd/vhs players
- Fax machines, speakers
- Batteries of all sizes
- Appliances

All recyclable drop-offs will be free with exceptionto televisions. TVs will be charged $20.00

To learn more or for more information, call 308-728-3393 or e-mail info@keeploupbasinbeautiful.org

 Please NO TIRES, PAINT OR CHEMICALS!

The Ord Area Chamber of Commerce is considering a flea market event during ExtraORDinary Days.  The flea market would be held on Saturday, May 26, 2012 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at Bussell Park in Ord.  A variety of vendors are welcome to participate including baked goods, traditional and ethnic foods, crafts, jewelry, art, and independent consultants, among others.  There will be no fee for vendors to participate.  At least 15 vendors must be registered by Monday, April 16, 2012 in order for the event to take place.  Vendors will be required to provide their own tents, tables, chairs, and other materials for their booth.  They will also be responsible for setting up and taking down their own booth.

In conjunction with the flea market, several other events will take place in the park on Saturday to attract community members and out-of-town visitors.  These events will include a kid’s fishing contest at Aubles Pond, free swimming at Ord’s pool, live entertainment, and more.

If you are interested in being a vendor, please contact the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce for a registration form by April 16^th at (308) 728-7875 or email Kristina at kvolf@frontier.com.