Later this summer, Loup City residents and visitors will be enjoying delicious fresh sandwiches from a franchise restaurant we all know and love…Subway. It will feature drive-up window service and Goodrich Dairy Ice Cream. The former Brickyard restaurant is being remodeled and the new steakhouse has plans to be open by the end of August. The former Colony Inn Motel and Liquor Store will also be completely updated with new furniture, beds, T.V.s, paint, décor and wireless high speed internet available in the whole establishment.
This project was possible through research facilitated by the Loup City Investment Group, a new corporation that formed in summer 2008. Their decision was based on several years of positive comments received from community surveys, town hall listening sessions, and business retention interviews conducted by the Sherman County Economic Development Board. Interested Investment Group members partnered with other investors to form the Loup City Futures Corporation last Fall. The Subway Franchise was purchased last winter and construction began this spring. The combination of great community efforts has resulted in one new business and community dining option, three upgraded business, and two new corporations with the potential to create more businesses. A Subway Assistant Manager has already been hired and they will be accepting applications for Shift Managers and Sandwich Artists this summer. Interested persons should call 308-750-6622 to complete an application.
Coming Soon to Loup City: New Subway, Remodeled Steakhouse, Motel, & Spirit shop
students use skills to improve community
A UNL Regional Planning Class presents “Living and Aging in Place” vision to Loup City with the aim of improving housing and transportation choices. The full story can be found here:Students use skills to improve community.
BECA grant presentation and sample program impact
Sherman County Economic Development Board Executive Director presents about local Entrepreneurial BECA grant program success to Nebraska State Senators and Rural Development Commission: BECA Grant Impact.
Youth Leadership Program Comes to a Close
In conjunction with the Sherman County Economic Development Board and UNL Extension, three area high schools were able to prune 38 high school students into future leaders through the “Leading the Future” leadership program. “Leading the Future” was a five series class that utilized video-conferencing technology to connect students from Greeley, Loup City, and Litchfield schools in an effort to enhance self-awareness, confidence, leadership, negotiation, and communication skills, amongst many others, in youth. Here’s the full story: YOUTH LEADERSHIP END OF PROGRAM REPORT.
Proposed New Single Family home subdivision in NW Loup City
The City of Loup City is requesting $240,000 in grant funds for infrastructure activities and development subsidy related to the new construction of 4 low to moderate income single family housing units to be located in the NW quadrant of the city; E of Peterson Park, N of G St., S of E St., & W of Linden Court. $200,000 in grant funds will be used for infrastructure including but not limited to streets, water, sewer, curb & gutter. $40,000 may be used for development subsidy related to the new construction of the 4 units. Additional sources of funds to support this project may come from down payment and closing costs assistance through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka, United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Housing Program, local employer contributions, donated lots from the City, and other volunteer organizational labor. The will be NO displacement of persons as a result of this project or NAHP funds.
The grant will be available for public inspection at the Gray Municipal Building/Economic Development Office located at 133 S. 8th St. All prospective home buyers or builders are encouraged to inquire about participation in this program. If awarded the grant, construction of the new street and homes could begin in early 2010.
Please contact Shawn Kaskie at 133 S. 8th St., 750-3133 with further questions about the program.
Business Retention and Expansion
The Sherman County Economic Development Board is well underway with a recent Business Retention and Expansion Program which has the purpose of understanding the needs and potential expansion interests of area employers. More than seven of the county’s leading employers and manufacturers participated in comprehensive interviews and surveys conducted by certified (BREI) BR&E Consultant, and Executive Director, Shawn Kaskie. Companies interviewed as of February 2009 include: Howard Hay & Transportation, Rose Lane Nursing Home, Central Nebraska Community Services, Bullett Weights, Cook & Beal’s, Ken’s Equiptment, and Loop Realty.
Preliminary findings indicate that all major employers interviewed to date are “highly satisfied” with the area workforce, but primary challenges involve finding more help and quality housing to keep them in the area. They all rated the business climate and school system as “very good”.
For more information about the ongoing Sherman County Business Retention and Expansion Program, please contact:
Shawn Kaskie, PCED – Executive Director
Sherman County Economic Development Board
133 South 8th Street – PO Box 428
Loup City, NE 68853
Ph: 308-750-3133
Fax & Local Landline: 308-745-0430
USDA seeking applications for value-added producer grants
WASHINGTON, May 11, 2009
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsadk has announced that the USDA is accepting applications for up to $18 million in grants to help agricultural producers enter into value-added activities. You can find the full story here: USDA value-added producer grants.
USDA grants available for energy audits for municipalities
Did you know you could be saving money on your business energy costs with a little help from the USDA Rural Development Energy Audit Grant Program? Contact Kelly at the USDA-RD office in Kearney to see if your business or project is eligible. For more info call (308) 237-3118 ext. 111 or direct your emails to kelley.messenger@ne.usda.gov. The Sherman County Economic Development Board will provide free technical assistance for any eligible businesses wishing to pursue these funds. For additional info: USDA Grants info
It’s that time of year again…
Polish Days! The annual celebration of the heritage of the Polish capital of Nebraska is upon us yet again. You can find everything you need to know about the extravaganza riiiight….Here. Enjoy!
Welcome!
Welcome to the official blog of the Sherman County Economic Development Board! The primary purpose of this blog is to bring the latest business opportunity and activity information to local businesses, entrepreneurs, or anyone otherwise interested in Sherman County Development. This blog will also serve as a forum for all community members to discuss and comment on business or tourism activities in the greater Loup City community. Also, if you’re curious as to what we’ve been up to for the last year and a half, be sure to check out the latest edition of our annual newsletter . We hope you enjoy our new posts and please let us know what you think by commenting online or giving the Executive Director-Shawn a call at 308-750-3133.
Loup City Business News 