Gov.DaveHeinemanwasjoinedbystateofficialsandrepresentativesofprivateindustryinannounc-ingplans toopenthestate’s first internationalof-fice.TheNebraskaCenterwillbelocatedinTokyoand will be opened for business by Lt. Gov. RickSheehyduringatrademissionlaterthisfall. ThenewofficewillserveasahubforNebraska’sinternationalbusinessoperations,includingthere-cruitment andexpansionof Japanese-ownedcom-panies,agriculturalmarketexpansion,andthecul-tivationofmultinationalpartnershipsforeconomicgrowth. The center will be available as a publicworkandmeetingspace tobusinesspartnersandNebraskans visiting abroad for economic develop-mentpurposes. “NebraskahashadastrongrelationshipwithJa-pan,”Gov.Heinemansaid.“Withtheopeningofthisoffice,wehopetopursueanevenstrongerpartner-ship over the long-term by enabling NebraskanstoworkmorecloselywithJapanesecompaniesonbusinessinvestmentanddevelopmentefforts.TheJapanese place a high importance on personal re-lationshipsandinteractions,andhavingaphysicalpresence in the country is essential to expanding

ouropportunitiesfortrade.” WorkingwiththeDEDandtheUniversityofNe-braska Medical Center (UNMC), the state has de-veloped a public-private partnership with severalNebraskacompanies tooffset the costsof rentingandmaintainingthespace, inadditiontostaffingthecenter.TheNebraskaCenterwillbelocatedintheShinjukuDistrict. Gov.HeinemanalsoannouncedthehiringofKojiNagasaka,whowillserveasexecutivedirectorofthe Nebraska Center. Nagasaka will lead a teamworking to promote the state’s products and ser-vices,connectNebraskabusinesseswithJapanesebusinessowners,andparticipateinJapanesetradeshows.Theofficewillalsoconductmarketresearchandhelpdevelopmarketingcampaigns. “Mr.Nagasaka’sexperiencewillbekeytohelpingNebraska achieve its full potential in Japan,” Gov.Heineman said. “Companies spend a great deal oftime building relationships and developing trustwithpotentialJapanesepartners,andhewillserveasanimportantlinkinhelpingNebraskabusinesseshitthegroundrunninginthismajorAsianmarket.” Nagasaka has been employed for most of his ca-

EUROPEAN TRIPS 02FTZ ACTIVATED 03‘06 TRAVEL CONFERENCE 03DIPLOMAT’S PASSPORTWEEKEND 04EMANUEL RECOGNIZED 04TOURISM ADVANTAGE GRANTS 05DED HONORED 05NEW EMPLOYEES 06GROWING FILM INDUSTRY 06NCIP CONFERENCE 07ECONOMIC IMPACTS 07CANADIAN COMPANY TO YORK 08NEB. IN FORBES TOP 10 09SCALES, SALES AND SERVICE 10UNMC BIOTECH PROG. 10EDD’S ARE SOURCESFOR FUNDING 11SCHEELS AND STEAKS PARTNERSHIP 12GOV. AWARDS LAUREL 12SCENIC BYWAY PROJECTS 13

Nebraska to opeN INterNatIoNal busINess offIce IN tokyo

In thIs Issue:

www.neded.org a publication of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development

issue05 year06

DeD

Nebraska Development News

(Cont. on pg. 2)

NebraskafitsGermancompany’sneeds“totheletter.” AnenquirylettermailedbyDED’sPhilMichelonbehalfofthegovernoraboutfiveyearsago,caughttheattentionofKlausMecking,halfwayaroundtheworldinLoningen,Germany. The president of FriedrichGraepel AG, a system supplier for innovativesheetmetalproducts,wasconsideringexpandinghiscompanyintotheU.S.,and was intrigued by the advantages that Nebraska could offer. Through the simpleactofmailingthereturnreplycard,MeckingandMichelestablisheda long-termbusiness friendship that recentlyculminated inGraepelNorthAmericaInc.,asubsidiaryofFriedrichGraepelAG,announcingplanstoes-tablishanewsalesandserviceofficeinOmaha. Michel’s annual recruitment trip toGermany always included a stop inLoningentocheckuponFriedrichGraepelAG,whichemploys600workers.DuringhistripinMay2006,however,heandMeckingalsofinalizedplansfortheGermanbusinessownertomakeaspecialtriptoNebraskainJuly…foraribbon cutting ceremony. JoiningMeckingwasMarkZumdohme,projectcoordinatorandmanager,andhiswife,Heike,whorelocatedtoOmahafromGermanytooverseetheoffice. “OmahaisanexcellentlocationforGraepel,”saidZumdohme.“MostoftheexistingandpotentialcustomersinouragriculturaldivisionarelocatedintheMidwest.PotentialtruckandbuscustomersarelocatedallovertheU.S.,soOmahaisagainagoodchoicebecauseofitscentrallocation.” Thecompany’sexistingcustomers includeJohnDeere,Caterpillar,Pac-carTrucks,whichmanufacturesKenworthandPeterbilttrucks,CNHGrandIsland,andClaasOmaha,whichsinceMayhasorderedcompletepaintedladderassembliesforitsLexioncombinesfromGraepel.BroyhillInc.,Da-kotaCity,Neb.,apartnerofGraepel,weldedtheaccessladders. Zumdohmesaidthatthoughthisisthecompany’ssalesandserviceoffice,it has storage capacity and the potential to offer weldments and assemblies.“FromOmaha,wewillbeabletoprovideimprovedcustomerservice,”Zum-dohmesaid. “Our existing customersnowhavea closer contact anden-hancedtechnical,qualityandlogisticssupport.Inaddition,wearefocusedon acquiring new customers in the agricultural machinery industry as well asthetruckandbusindustryinNorthAmerica.” “GraepelisahighqualityGermanmanufacturingcompany,whichIfeelwillgrowsteadilyinthefutureasitsmanufacturingexpertisebecomesbet-terknownintheU.S.,”Michelsaid.“KlausMecking,MarkZumdohme,andtheentireGraepelteamhavebeenanabsolutedelighttoworkwith.” Forinformation,contactPhilMichelat800-426-6505,402-471-3772,oremail: phil.michel@ded.ne.gov

europeaN recruitmeNt

trip pays off

page 02 2006 Issue 05 Nebraska Development News www.neded.org

reer by Itochu Corporation, theworld’s 17th largest company,one of Japan’s largest tradinghouses involved in the aero-space,biotechandchemical,tex-tile, bio-fuels, agricultural, andlogisticsindustries.Hismanage-ment experience includes workin itsoilseeds,grainscollectionand export, soybean, air cargoandrealestatesections.Hehasalso worked with Cargill Inc.,where he was stationed in sev-eral different cities, includingCentralCity,Neb.Mostrecently,he served as deputy secretarygeneral for Itochu Shayu-Kai, anonprofit organization servingretiredemployeesof ItochuCor-poration. JoiningtheGovernorfortheannouncementwereNagasaka,DED Director Richard BaierandNizarMamdani,executivedirector of the Office of Inter-national Healthcare ServicesforUNMC. Baier said, “Locating the Ne-braska Center in the heart ofTokyo’s business district is asound strategy that we hopewill reap tremendous benefitsfor Nebraska and Japanesebusinesses alike. Japan is thethird-largest importer of Ne-braska products. We knew itwouldbeimportanttoestablishaphysicalpresencetofacilitatethegrowthofthatmarket,andnowwehaveone.” Mamdani said, “The interna-tional program at the MedicalCenterhasgrowntomorethan100 strategic global partnersin41countries, andeachyearfacilitates bringing in hun-dredsof internationalpatientsfortreatment,aswellasmanyinternational researchers, stu-dents and prominent speakersto Nebraska. Having a physi-cal presence in Japan is trulykey for the Medical Center toexpand its Asian initiatives inthe areas of patient care, re-

search, biomedical, biotechnol-ogy,education,andtraining.” Othersponsoringpartnersofthe center include the GreaterOmaha, Lincoln-Lancasterand Nebraska Chambers ofCommerce, the Nebraska De-partment of Agriculture, theNebraska Diplomats, Elec-tion Systems and Software ofOmaha,FirstNationalBankofOmaha, Oxbow Pet Productsof Murdoch, Bruckman Rub-berofHastings,WernerEnter-prisesofOmaha,theNebraskaCorn Board, Kawasaki MotorsManufacturingCorp.,U.S.A.ofLincoln, the Nebraska PublicPower District, as well as theOmahaPublicPowerDistrict. The combined costs of op-erating the Nebraska Centerwill run between $85,000 and$90,000ayear.DEDandUNMChave pledged up to $20,000each, which represents rough-ly half the funds needed. TheNebraska Department of Agri-culture plans to contribute atleast $3,000 annually, and theremaining funding will comefromsponsoringpartners. The office’s computer, tele-phone, fax, and other serviceswill be available for Nebras-kans inJapan toconductbusi-ness between meetings andtravel.Thecenterwillprovidearesourcetoassistinresearch,contactingandarrangingmeet-ings with potential Japanesebusinesses, providing basictranslation and interpretingservices, assisting with tradeshows and other marketing ef-forts, assisting with hotel andtravelneeds,andcoordinatingmeetingswiththeCommercialAttache,theJapaneseExternalTrade Organization (JETRO),ShizuokaPrefecture,andotherJapanesepartners.

Nebraska to opeN INterNatIoNal busINess offIce IN tokyo (Cont.frompage1)

www.neded.org Nebraska Development News 2006 Issue 05 page 03

The Greater Omaha Chamber of Com-merce announced the activation of For-eignTradeZoneNo.19, locatedwithinCargo Zone LLC, 6200 N. 16th StreetinOmaha. DaveHeineman,Governorof Nebraska; Mike Fahey, Mayor, Cityof Omaha; David G. Brown, presidentand CEO, Greater Omaha Chamber ofCommerce; and Terry McMullen, presi-dent, Cargo Zone LLC, participated intheactivationceremony.“AsNebraskapositions itself as a distribution hub for NorthAmerica,havinganactiveGeneralPurposeForeignTradeZoneisakeyfac-tor,”saidGovernorHeineman.“Asmoreand more products flow in from othercountries, Nebraska has positioned it-self as the key location for central distri-butiontotheentirecontinent.” “The zonecanbeagreatbenefit tocompanies in our community engaged in international trade as it will allow themtoreduce,deferorpossiblyelimi-nate duties on certain products stored intheForeignTradeZone,”saidBrown. AForeign-TradeZone(FTZ)isanareawithintheUnitedStatesinornearaU.S.

Customs port of entry, where foreignand domestic merchandise is consid-eredtobeoutsideofU.S.Customsterri-tory. Certain types of merchandise can be imported intoaZonewithoutgoingthrough formal Customs entry proce-dures or paying import duties. Customs dutiesandexcisetaxesaredueonlyatthetimeoftransferfromtheFTZforU.S.consumption. If the merchandise never enters theU.S.commerce, thennodu-tiesortaxesarepaidonthoseitems. “Internationaltradeisquicklybecom-ing a part of everyday business. This Foreign TradeZoneprovides business-eswithacritical tool in theexpandingworldofcommerce,”saidMayorFahey. In 2004, the City of Omaha desig-nated theGreaterOmahaChamber ofCommerceastheGranteeOrganizationforOmaha’sForeignTradeZoneNo.19.Atthattime,theforeigntradezonewasinactiveanddesignatedto18acresofriverfront property. The Chamber sent out a request for proposal in 2005 tothe public warehouses among its mem-bership to determine a general purpose operator for the zone and selectedCargoZoneLLC. TheNationalForeignTradeZonesBoard,under theU.S.De-partment of Commerce, approved theBoundaryModificationRequestinOcto-ber2005thatmovedtheforeigntradezone site from the riverfront to CargoZone’s public warehouse. McMullensaidthatCargoZonethenworkedwiththeDepartment ofHomelandSecurity,U.S. Customs and Border Protectionand the Omaha Port Authority to acti-vatethezone. “Whilemore product is beingmanu-facturedoffshore,weNebraskanshaveunique advantages being in the center oftheU.S.withgreatinfrastructureandincredible advantages over distribution fromotherstates,”saidMcMullen.

Benefits to businesses that can uti-lizetheForeignTradeZoneincludetheabilitytoreduce,deferoreliminateU.S.Customs duties on products admitted tothezone.DutiesarepaidonlywhenmerchandiseentersU.S.CustomsandBorderProtectionterritory.Thereisnolimit on the time that merchandise may be stored in the zone and, while it re-mainsthere,companiesgainincreasedcashflowviadutydeferral. Companies also pay no duty on im-ported products when product is im-

ported to and then exported from thezone; transferred “in-bond” from oneforeigntradezonetoanother;orwhenspare or damaged product is stored or destroyed in the zone, or returnedfromthezone.Inaddition,productsinaforeigntradezonearenotsubjecttoquotas; there is strong physical security andinventorycontrolwithinazone;andstorageinthezoneallowsforsomema-nipulationcapabilities,suchasre-pack-aging of product.

foreIgN traDe ZoNe actIvateD

The 2006 Nebraska Travel Confer-encewillbeheldOctober18-19inNorthPlatteattheQualityInn&SuitesSand-hillsConventionCenter,2102SouthJef-fersStreet.Theconferenceofferseduca-tion workshops, general sessions, and

networking opportunities, as well as,industry exhibitor booths displayingnewproductsessentialtoyourbusiness.Registration and lodging informationare included in thebrochure, availableonlineat:http://www.visitnebraska.org/

pdfs/06TravConfReg.pdf RegistrationformandpaymentmustbereceivedbyOctober6. Forinformation,call877-NEBRASKAoremail:tourism@VisitNebraska.org

2006 Nebraska travel coNfereNce oct. 18-19

The Nebraska Diplomats hosted government, industry, and eco-nomic development leaders from acrossNebraska,ninestatesandthreecountriesatthe39thAnnualPassport to Nebraska Banquet.GovernorDaveHeinemanpresent-edtheDiplomats’annualawards. TheGovernorwelcomedguestsfrom California, Colorado, Illinois,Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mis-souri,NorthCarolinaandOhio,aswell as from Canada, GermanyandJapan. “The Nebraska Diplomats helpour state put its best foot forward in terms of economic recruitment, re-tention, and expansion,” Gov. DaveHeinemansaid.“Theprogramanditsconnections represent an important part of our overall emphasis on en-gaging in public-private partnerships forthecreationofjobopportunitiesforNebraskansandtheirfamilies.” Thisyear’sCEOroundtablepanelfocused on the advantages for com-panies choosing and remaining in

Nebraska.Panelistsincluded:TerryGentry,ManagingDirectorofLoanAdministrationatAuroraLoansSer-vices, Scottsbluff, NE; Michael W.Schneider,DirectorofProductSup-ply,GlobalPetHealthandNutritionat IAMSPetFood,Aurora,NE;SalGiambianco, Vice President of Hu-manResourcesandAdministrationatPayPal,Omaha,NE;andPaulEu-rek,FounderandCEOofXpansion,Kearney,NE. Following the CEO roundtable,was a Dream It.Do It. campaign press conference. For information onDreamIt.Do It.,visit theirweb-site: www.DreamIt-DoIt.com The following presentations were made during the banquet:

· Ambassador Plenipotentiary Award (the highest Diplomat honor) went to Ken Gnadt of Grand Island, and stu Miller, recently retired deputy director of the DeD.

· Diplomat of the Year Award went to C. Lloyd Castner · Community of the Year Awards went to Columbus and Ord · Industry of the Year Awards went to Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, and Valmont Industries, Inc., in Omaha · the Power in the Partnership Award went to the nebraska Community College system

The2006Banquetalsomarkedthe induction of the following new Diplomats: Albion—Robert E.Racek,CargillAgHorizons;Aurora—GeorgeHohwieler,AuroraCoopera-tive; Blair—David L. Ward, Wash-ingtonCountyBank;Burwell—Dan Morgan,Morgan Ranch AmericanWagyuBeef;Columbus—MatthewR. Gotschall, Central CommunityCollege, Columbus Campus; Jo-seph F. Moore, Nebraska PublicPower District; Fremont—RonaldD.Kranz,FirstStateBank&Trust

Co.; Grand Island—Gary D. Greer,CityofGrandIsland;DougRedman,SubwayRestaurants;JayVavricek,City of Grand Island; holdrege—Robert J. McCormick, Attorney atLaw; Imperial—Russell D. Panko-nin, Allo Communications/John-son Publications; Lincoln—BrentBunz, Nebraska Emergency Medi-cine,P.C.;norfolk—LowellBecken-hauer, Beckenhauer Construction,Inc.; Omaha—Richard P. Jeffries,Cline, Williams, Wright, Johnson&Oldfather;C.L.Landen III,Secu-rityNationalBank;NizarMamdani,Healthcare Services UNMC; NeilTrout, INSPRO, Inc.;Waverly—RonMelbye, City of Waverly; andWayne—TimothyE.Keller,Farmers&MerchantsStateBank Photos from Passport WeekendareavailableontheDiplomatsWeb-siteat:http://www.nediplomats.org/ For information or to inquire about membership, contact LoriShaalat402-471-4592,oremail:lori.shaal@ded.ne.gov

Nebraska DIplomats hoNor vIsItors, leaDers at 39th passport WeekeND

page 04 2006 Issue 05 Nebraska Development News www.neded.org

DED Travel and Tourism’s Mary EthelEmanuelwasfetedasoneofthree‘2006NebraskaWomenofDistinction’inAugust.The honor was bestowed by the Nebraska CommissionontheStatusofWomen. Emanuel, who has worked for DED’sTravelandTourismDivision fornearly20years,wasrecognizedasa‘WorkingWom-

anofDistinction’.AnativeofDodge,Neb.,Emanuel graduated from UNL. She hasauthoredseveraleditionsofthebook“Ne-braskaOfftheBeatenPath”aswellasar-ticlesaboutNebraska’speopleandplacesinmagazinesincludingNebraskaLife,AAALiving,AAAHome&Away,RuralNebraskaElectric,andGrassrootsNebraska.

emaNuel recogNIZeD as ‘WomaN of DIstINctIoN’

Governor Dave Heineman an-nounced $500,000 in grantsdesigned to promote tourism in communities across the state. Twenty-nine organizations arereceiving funding as part of this year’s Nebraska Tourism Advan-tageMarketingProgram,whichisin its second year. “Asruralandexperientialtourismcontinue to expand, we are exam-ining new ways to get the word out about the beauty and wide range of opportunitiesNebraskahastooffer,”Gov. Heineman said. “Under thisprogram, dollar-for-dollar matchinggrants are awarded to local and re-gional groups working to help attract morevisitorstoourstate.” In 2005, the Nebraska Legis-latureapproved$350,000 forFY2005-2006and$500,000forthecurrentfiscalyeartopromotetour-ism in communities across the state. The funding represented the firstsignificant investmentofgen-eral funds for tourism marketing in Nebraska in several years. The majorityoffundingforNebraska’sTravel and Tourism Division comes from revenue received from a one

percentstatelodgingtax. Grants range from $5,000 to$50,000 and are used to helpsupport marketing activities for attractions across the state. DED’s Travel and Tourism Divi-sion administers the program. Funding can be used in the pro-duction and placement of mass media advertising, Web site de-velopment, production and print-ingoftravelbrochures,directmailadvertising, aswell as for partici-pationat travel, tradeandsportsshows, materials and displaysfor convention sales, marketingresearch and the development of billboard messages. Following are the organizationsreceiving a Tourism Advantage grantforFY2006-2007:· Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce: $16,340 · Broken Bow economic Development Corporation: $20,000 · Burwell Chamber of Commerce, Ord Area Chamber of Commerce, GarfieldCountyConventionand Visitors Bureau (CVB), & Valley County CVB: $9,350

· Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons: $10,000 · Chappell Chamber of Commerce: $5,300 · Cheyenne County Visitors Committee: $7,340 · Durham Western heritage Museum & Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha: $5,000· Gothenburg Area Chamber of Commerce: $5,000 · the City of Grand Island, stuhr Museum, heartland events Center, Mid neBR speedway, & hall County CVB: $39,850 · Greater Omaha CVB: $45,375· GROW nebraska in holbrook: $10,475 · harlan County tourism: $13,500 · harold Warp Pioneer Village Foundation in Minden: $20,160 · highway 14 Association: $5,680 · ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation: $12,700· Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, Museum of nebraska Art & Rowe sanctuary: $25,000· Kearney Area Community Foundation Ag Development Fund: $16,000 · Lincoln CVB: $21,050

· Metropolitan entertainment and Convention Authority & the Greater Omaha CVB: $35,060· nebraska Association of Bed & Breakfasts: $5,000 · nebraska City tourism & Commerce, Otoe County Visitors Committee & the national Arbor Day Foundation: $49,790 · nebraska Winery & Grape Growers Association: $25,000 · north Platte/Lincoln County CVB: $26,500 · northeast nebraska travel Council: $9,000 · scotts Bluff County tourism: $24,595 · south Platte united Chambers of Commerce: $6,500 · st. Paul Development Corporation: $5,970 · Western nebraska tourism Coalition: $19,060 · York County Visitors Bureau: $5,240 For information, contact TomDoering at 800-228-4307, 402-471-3784,oremail:tom.doering@ded.ne.gov

www.neded.org Nebraska Development News 2006 Issue 05 page 05

goverNor heINemaN aWarDs $500,000 IN Nebraska tourIsm aDvaNtage graNts

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development was hon-ored with a Founders Award from theNebraskaHousingDevelopers

AssociationatthestatewideBuildNebraskaHousingConferenceinKearneyonAugust15.Over200housing development profession-als, economic development offi-cials,bankers,realestateagentsand government officials attend-ed the conference. DEDwas recognizedasoneofthe fourteen original members of the statewideNebraskaHousingDevelopers Association, whichcelebrated ten years of progress in affordable housing develop-ment. LaraHuskeyaccepted theaward for the Department. Sheila Crowley, President and

CEOof theNational Low IncomeHousing Coalition gave the con-ference keynote address, high-lighting critical national issues that affect the development of af-fordable housing and the delivery of support services. “Housing isnot affordable for many of Amer-ica’s working families,” Crowleysaid.“Goodpublicpolicycanplayakeyroleinsolvingthiscrisis.Wehave to raise awareness about the impact that affordable hous-ing development can have on the futureofourcommunities.” Candidates for national and state offices shared their per-

spectives on housing issues at a Candidates Forum held during the conference. Topics included the growth of Nebraska’s Afford-able Trust Fund and the important role that affordable housing plays in economic development. Candi-date responses to a pre-confer-ence questionnaire are available atwww.BuildNebraska.org. The Nebraska Housing De-velopers Association supports affordable housing efforts in Ne-braskawithtechnicalassistance,resource development and advo-cacy. For more information, visitwww.housingdevelopers.org.

DepartmeNt hoNoreD at stateWIDe coNfereNce

Whitney Bumgarner has been named field service representa-tive inDED’sBusinessDevelop-ment Division where she current-ly works with businesses and communities in eastern Nebras-ka. Before joining the depart-ment,Bumgarner servedasad-ministrativeassistantforBoardsandCommissionsforGovernorsHeineman and Johanns. In thisposition, she worked with com-munities, businesses and localgovernments statewide to iden-tifypotentialqualifiedmembers.Bumgarnerhasabachelor’sde-gree from the University of Ne-braska-Lincoln in Advertising/Marketing with a concentrationinPublicRelations.Shealsoisa Teammate with TeamMatesMentoringProgram,andlovestovolunteer. For information, contact Whit-ney Bumgarner at 800-426-6505, 402-471-6281, or emailwhitney.bumgarner@ded.ne.gov

Libby elder has joined DED’sCommunity and Rural Develop-ment Division as an economic development consultant/consol-idatedplancoordinator. Herre-sponsibilitiesincludedeveloping,packaging, training, and coordi-natingtheConsolidatedfive-yearplan for the Community Develop-ment Block Grant, HOME, andEmergency Shelter Grant pro-grams,whichissubmittedtotheU.S.DepartmentofHousingand

Urban Development (HUD). Herjob includesestablishing strate-gies, priorities, objectives, andmeasurements through a public participation process with many partners to deliver financial as-sistance to local governments,non-profits, and for-profits, andpreparing an annual report on DED’sprogressandaccomplish-mentsforHUD. Elder earned a bachelor’s de-greeinPoliticalSciencefromtheUniversity of Nebraska at Kear-ney, and a juris doctor degreefromtheUniversityofNebraskaCollegeofLaw. Shewasadmit-ted to the Nebraska Bar Asso-ciationinJune2005.Previously,she was employed as an attor-ney in the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services, Ma-teriel Division State PurchasingBureau.Elderandherhusband,Jeremy, live inLincolnwiththeirbeaglepuppy,Tucker. For information,contactLibbyElderat402-471-3762,oremail:libby.elder@ded.ne.gov

nick nortonisthedepartment’snewest intern, working in theCommunity and Rural Develop-ment Division, setting up work-shops, registrations, payments,and other tasks related to Com-munityDevelopmentBlockGrantprogram training workshops. Before working at DED, Nickworked for his uncle at Ad-vanced Cash granting loans and

cashing checks. NickisaseniorattheUniversi-tyofNebraska-Lincolnmajoringin International Economics with aminorinSpanish.Upongradu-ationinMay2007,hehopestolive in Central America and work forthePeaceCorps,possiblySa-maritan’s Purse, or some otherinternationalorganization. Contact Nick Norton at 800-426-6505, 402-471-4862, oremail:cdbg1.intern@ded.ne.gov

Kendal Dodge, DED Travel andTourism Division’s new intern,is helping update recreational mapsandbrochures, compilingcounty visitor committee mem-ber information,workingonrec-reational liability surveys, anddistributing tourism literature to area visitor centers. KendalisinhissecondyearoftheMBAprogramat theUniver-sity of Nebraska-Lincoln. Origi-nally from Callaway, Neb., Ken-dal graduated from high school in 2001 and graduated fromChadron State College in 2005with a degree in Legal Studies,andminorinHistory.Contact Kendal Dodge at 402-471-3798, or email: tourism1.intern@ded.ne.gov

DeD Welcomes NeW employees, INterNs

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Whitney Bumgarner Libby elder nick norton Kendal Dodge

A forum on the status of the state’s film industry at MahoneyStateParkearlierthissummerhasled to formation of the Nebraska Film and Media Alliance. The alli-ance,representingtheprivatesec-tor,reviewedthe2002FilmIndus-tryStudy,assessing thestatusofNebraska position in the industry. The study emphasized the needfor the state to continue promoting itself through a direct mail market-ing campaign, attending the an-nual location industry trade show in Los Angeles, and providing ac-curate and timely information on Nebraska’s locations and media-related resources. A recently completed guide that combines resources of the Ne-braskaFilmOfficeandOmahaFilmCommission, along with the Ne-braskaFilmOffice’swebsitefeatur-ingasearchabledatabaseofcrew,equipment, and services furtherenhances efforts to attract and as-sistallfilmandmediaactivity. NamedtothealliancewereKerryKnight, an independent filmmakerand videographer from Lincoln,Rhett McClure, president of theNebraska Independent Film Proj-ects,JamieVesay,afilmmakerandcommercialproducerfromOmaha,and Kathy Rocco, film commis-sionerwiththeOmahaConventionand Visitors Bureau. The allianceidentified further steps that needto be taken to continue moving the stateforward,includingworkingtoidentify,organize,prepareandsub-mit to the Nebraska Legislature an incentive package designed to be competitive with surrounding states that will favorably assist the growth of this highly competitive in-dustry. The alliance also will lobby statesenatorsforitspassage,andrecommend future activities for the NebraskaFilmOfficetopursue. For information, contact Lau-rie Richards at 402-202-1905, oremail: lrichards2@neb.rr.com

prIvate group to focus oN

groWINg state’s fIlm INDustry

GettinG incentives passed is key to Group’s efforts

“Past Successes, Present In-vestments…Gateways to theFuture,” the 43rd annual con-ference of the Nebraska Com-munity Improvement Program(NCIP)willbeheldNovember3attheHolidayInnandConven-tionCenterinKearney. Keynote speaker Juli Burneywill put the “FUN into Com-munity Development FUNda-mentals” during the morninggeneral session. Burney is anationallyknownhumoristandNebraskanative. Workshopswill include“Fun-works” aimed at developingyouthentrepreneurs;theroleofcommunity assets in planningand implementing communitydevelopmentprojects;DialoguesAcross Nebraska, intergenera-tional communications amongcommunity groups and volun-teer organizations; packaginglocalamenitiesandattractionsinto tourist’s dream vacations;and how-to training for com-munities and businesses want-ingto fullyutilize informationtechnology. This how-to informationtechnologytrainingalsowillbeofferedduringaconferencepre-session,November2attheUni-versityofNebraskaatKearney. Master of Ceremonies DonGill, will provide the “Voice ofNebraska” for the 2006 NCIPAwardspresentationduringthe

November 3 evening banquet.Governor Dave Heineman willpresent more than 70 awardstoindividualsandcommunities,includingYouthLeadershipforOutstanding Community Ser-vice Awards; Special AwardsinthecategoriesofLeadership,Economic and Community De-velopment; and CommunityNotebook Advantage awardsbasedon“scrapbooks”andjudg-es’visitstocommunities. Registration information forthe 2006 NCIP Annual Confer-encewillbemailedout in lateSeptember. Early registrationisdueOctober13. NCIPisapartnershipbetweenDED,theUniversityofNebraska,andNCIPsponsors—GreatPlainsCommunications, Northern Nat-ural Gas, Glenwood Telephone,KinderMorgan,Inc.,NorthWest-ern Public Service, and Aquila.Sponsors help support the pro-gram year-round and provideplaques and cash prizes to theNCIPawardwinners. For information, contactHelen Hecox at 800-426-6505,402-471-4168, or email: ncip2.intern@ded.ne.gov,orNCIPCo-ordinatorLindsayPapenhausenat402-471-6587,800-426-6505,or email: lindsay.papenhau-sen@ded.ne.gov. Information also is availableat NCIP’s website: crd.neded.org/ncip

plaNs uNDerWay for 43rD NcIp coNfereNce IN kearNey

www.neded.org Nebraska Development News 2006 Issue 05 page 07

SomerecentDEDprojectan-nouncements have includedimpact statements that arewordedsimilarlyto: “Inadditiontothedirectjobsassociatedwiththisproject,anadditional__jobswillbecreat-edbyotherbusinessesinthere-gionasaresultofthisproject.” These referenced additionalor secondary jobs result onlyfrom projects that involve in-vestment in basic industries(alsocalledprimaryorexportindustries). Such industriesaretheeconomicfoundationofa community or region. Theysell goods and services to sig-nificant numbers of personsoutsidethecommunity,whichcreates a regular flow of in-comeintothecommunitythat,inturn,triggersgrowthoftheadditionalorsecondaryjobs. The secondary effects ofprimary job creation are esti-mated using computer-basedeconometric models, particu-larly “input-output” models.Thevehicle forestimatingthejobgrowthresultingfromnewprimaryjobsisanemploymentmultiplier (there also are in-come and output multipliers).For example, the I-O modelthat DED uses calculates theemploymentmultiplier for thestate’s “animal slaughteringindustry”as3.6209.So,everyprimaryjobcreatedinthatin-dustry creates an additional2.6029secondaryjobs. Thesizeofmultipliersvariesby industry and project loca-tion. Manufacturing business-

es generally have high multi-pliers; retail businesses havelowones.Multipliersalsoaregenerallyhigheratthestateorregional level because projectexpendituresarelesslikelyto

“leak” out of the state than acounty.So,itmaybenecessaryto modify a computer model’scoefficientsor assumptions, ifa project’s wage levels or out-put vary significantly from amodel’sassumedvalues. Even if a project’s employ-ment,wage,andoutputvaluesare consistent with the com-puter model’s assumed values,the model-generated employ-ment,income,andoutputnum-bers need to be viewed as es-timates, not exact predictions,of what will occur. If the de-velopersdonotfollowthrough,create all the jobs, and makeall the investment expected,thenthe“completed”projectisunlikely tocreate thenumberofprimaryjobsreportedorthesecondaryjobscalculated. DED supports the develop-ment of businesses in primaryindustries, since these createmore jobs and income thanbusinessesthatjustre-circulateexistingjobsorincome.Recentproject announcements havehighlighted the fact that DED-supported projects create bothprimaryandsecondaryjobs. For information, contactMichael Lundeen at 800-426-6505, 402-471-3788, or email:michael.lundeen@ded.ne.gov

estImatINg ecoNomIc Impacts; prImary aND

secoNDary jobs

Advanced Agri-Direct, Inc.of Thorsby, Alberta, CanadaexpandedtheiroperationstoYorkCountyinSeptember. The company is a manu-facturer of concrete water bowls and a distributor of other livestock equipment. “It is with a great deal ofpleasure that we (my wife,Janet and I) announce ourexpansion into York.” SaidShaun Heldt, owner of Agri-Direct.“Wehavespentafewyears researching the possi-bilityofrelocatingtotheUnit-edStatesandinouropinion,Yorkistheplaceforus.” The company manufac-tures automatic water bowls for all types of livestock (farmandranch)andexoticanimals in zoos. They par-ticipate in 60 shows annu-ally, with 50 percent of theshowsintheUnitedStates. They also have a contract withMillsFleetFarmstopro-duce under their store brand. Mills Farms (comparable toanOrschelnstore)hasover30 locations in four states:Wisconsin, North Dakota,IowaandMinnesota. “Our journey to Nebras-ka and ultimately to York,started three years ago with somecontactwiththeStateDepartment of Economics,”Heldtsaid.“Thisledtoafan-tastic invitation to come to Nebraska as guests of the

Nebraska Diplomats. Wewere treated to all kinds of Nebraskatreats,likeaCorn-husker game and to even meet the governor. Part ofthe trip was talking to peo-plelike[NEDiplomat]MerlynHansen,toseeiftheservic-esweneededwere inYork.At the end of the weekend,we actually took a drive out toYorktoseeforourselves.Fromthatpointon,thehuntwasover!We love the townanditspeople.Weevenman-agedtorenewa25-year-oldacquaintance with Don Free-man who toured me through hisplantwaybackwhen.” Why are they moving intothe Heartland of the U.S.?TheysaybecauseoftheU.S.border being opened to Ca-nadian cattle, the increas-ing cost of freight and the increased value of the Ca-nadian dollar in comparison withtheU.S.dollar. The company will initially cre-atefivenewjobs,andtheywillbemovingamanagertoYork. “The community of Yorkwelcomes Advanced Agri-Di-rect,” says Mayor Greg Ad-ams. “Theproduct line, theownership, Agri-Direct’s phi-losophy and business plan areagreatfitforYork.WhatAgri-Direct contributes to our economic base is compli-mentedbywhatYorkoffersAgri-Direct. York looks for-

ward to the company grow-ingwithus.” “JohnHughes, themanag-erofthecompany,hasbeeninvolved in agricultural busi-nessallhislife,”saidHansen,presidentoftheYorkCountyDevelopment Corporation (YCDC). “That includes withPioneerSeedCompanyandhe has been a cattle buyer formany years, and hewillbe marketing their product aswell.” HeldtsaidtheyintendtobeupandrunninginSeptember. “We have discussed ourproduct,concreteheatedwa-terbowls,withseveralbeefproducers in the state and have received all positive feedback, so we can’t waittogetupandrunning,”Heldtsaid.“Wewillhaveanopenhouse and want to say that the coffee will always be on at Advanced Agri-Direct (USA)Inc.!” “Wefeelcompelledtomen-tion that this article would not bewrittentoday if itweren’tfor the absolute dedication and promotion skills of the State Department of Eco-nomics,”Heldtsaid.“Mostofall,thehelpwehavereceivedfrom Norene Fitzgerald(YCDC director), who seemsto have no end of energy when it comes to promoting York,andherstaff.” “Agri-Direct isa testimony

for the recruitment of a small business that will take off andgrow,”saidJerryElfring,who heads up the recruit-mentdivisionofYCDC.“Theowner is very motivated to grow the business and look beyond the local market to national and international markets. Economic develop-ment does not happen over-night.Here isacasewherewe stayed in touch with this prospect and cultivated the relationship over the last twoyears.” “I’m pleased they’ve cho-sen to locate in our com-munity and county,” Han-sen remarked. “They are incountry now that is much like Nebraska—very agricul-tural—so they will be a great fitforYorkCounty.” “They considered expand-inginCanada,anditwasn’tuntil they were entertained byaYorkcontingencyattheDiplomats event that they made their decision to ex-pand to York. They saw wewere the same kind of peo-ple they are,” Hansen con-tinued while smiling. “Theycould have expanded any-where.SothescoretodayisYork,1,Canada,0.” For information, contactNorene Fitzgerald at 888-733-9675, 402-362-3333,or email: ycdcnf@alltel.net.

caNaDIaN compaNy comINg to york couNty by melaNie WilkiNsoN, york NeWs times

page 08 2006 Issue 05 Nebraska Development News www.neded.org

www.neded.org Nebraska Development News 2006 Issue 05 page 09

No. 7 has proven verylucky for Nebraska. That’swherethestateranksamongForbes magazine’s recentlyreleased first-ever “BestStatesforBusiness”list. “ThereislittledoubtthatNebraskaneedstocontinueworkingtoimproveitsbusi-nessclimateandoveralltaxstructureforNebraskafam-ilies,” said Governor DaveHeineman. “However, therankingfromForbesoffersa snapshot of the progresswe’re making and a clearwindow into the future ofgrowth and economic op-portunityforourstate.”“We’re excited about thisannouncement, and thisclearly indicates that ourefforts are working. Ourstrong leadership is work-ing hard to improve Ne-braska’s economic climateand put Nebraska on themap,“ said Richard Baier,DEDdirector. ForbeshasrankedtheBestMetro Areas for BusinessandCareersforthepasteightyears, but this is the firsttime they’ve ranked BestStates for Business. Forbesincorporated some scoringfactorsfromtheBestMetros’list,whileexpandingfactorsthatrelatedmorespecifical-lytostatesasawholecom-paredwithcities. Forbeswentastepfurther

with the states ranking inseveral ways. First, theylooked at projections in re-gards to job, income andgross state product growth.Theyalsoexaminedventurecapitalmoneygoing intoanarea as well as new busi-nessesthathavecroppedupthepast fiveyears.Anotheradditionistherolethatgov-ernmentplayedonthebusi-nessclimateintermsofen-vironmentalandlaborlaws,aswellas taxandother in-centives offered. These fac-torsplayoutonthestatelev-

elratherthanthelocallevel. Themagazineexaminedall50 states according to 30metrics in the categories ofbusinesscosts,labor,regula-tory environment, economicclimate, growth prospects,andqualityof life.Nebraskascored in theTop10—nine’sinbothbusinesscosts(costoflabor, energy and taxes) andqualityoflife(schools,health,crime,costofliving,andpov-ertyrates).Thestate’sregula-toryenvironment(regulatoryandtortclimate)earnedare-spectable14.

The state’s economic cli-mate (jobs, income, andgrossstateproductgrowth,as well as unemploymentandthepresenceofbigcom-panies), labor (educationalattainment, net migration,and projected populationgrowth), and growth pros-pects(projectedjob,income,and gross state productgrowth, opening and clos-ingbusinesses,andventurecapital investments)scoreda little lower, however,these are some areas forgrowthandimprovement. Nebraska fares very wellregionally. Other GreatPlains and Midwest statesthatearnedslotsamongthetop25were:Colorado—5th,NorthDakota—13th,SouthDakota—17th, Kansas—21st, Wyoming—23rd, andIowa—25th. Forbes also ranked OmahaandLincolnrelativelyhighinitslistofthebestmetroareas.IntheMay4,2006Forbesar-ticleonBestMetropolitanAr-easforBusinessandCareers,Omahawasranked34thandLincoln40thamongthebest200 metro areas. On one ofthe componentmeasures forthoseranks,thecostofdoingbusiness,Lincolnwasranked22ndandOmaha33rd.

Nebraska amoNg forbes’ top teN best states for busINess

Photo: Bob Doty

Scales Sales & Service, Inc.,has been in business for only three years this November and already it has nearly qua-drupleditsstaff,andservesasthe largest scale distributor in westernNebraska,andtheonlyISO accredited scale companyin Nebraska and western Iowa. Ofthecompany’s11full-timeemployees,sevenarecertifiedscale technicians with more than 150 years experience.The company sells and servic-es laboratory balances, floorscales, bench and portablescales, counting scales, pricecomputing equipment, tank/hoppers,truckscales,andrail-roadtrackscales.ScalesSales& Service Inc.’s test weightsarecertifiedNISTTraceableforboth scales and high precision analytical balances. Services include electronicconversions, mechanical le-ver system overhauling, sandblasting and painting, replace-ment of scale decks and ap-proaches, turnkey installationof truck and railroad track scales, andmanaging service

maintenance agreements. The company can also provide fac-tory replacement parts for all makes and models of scales; offers standard- and custom-made scale printer tickets; and rents counting, bench, floorand truck scales. “One of the main goals ofScalesSales&Service,Inc.,isto provide the highest level of service and satisfaction to our customers,” said Larry Hagge,ISO manager. “By having ourISOaccreditation,wefeelthatwe are providing the best avail-able service to all of our cus-tomers.” The company is not only cer-tified in Nebraska and Iowa,butinKansas,Minnesota,Mis-souriandSouthDakota. Scales Sales & Service Inc.started operations in Novem-ber2003withthreeemployeesworking out of the basement of ownerandpresidentJeffHow-ell’shome.A fourthemployeewas hired two months later. In April 2004, Howell purchasedUhlScale,adding fouremploy-ees in the process. In February 2005,thecompanyearneditsISO17025-1999accreditation.In March 2005, the companywas moved to its present lo-cation, 8615 Whitmore Circle,Suite104inOmaha.Tocontin-ue providing the highest level of quality products and servic-es, the company updated itsISO accreditation in February2006toISO17025-2005. For information, contactLarry Hagge at 877-747-1100,402-572-1100,oremail:scale-man801@aol.com

small omaha compaNy DoINg busINess oN a

large scale

page 10 2006 Issue 05 Nebraska Development News www.neded.org

Two years ago, AshleeMullervisited LI-COR Biosciences, aLincoln, Nebraska BioSciencerelated research and develop-mentcompanyaspartofaUni-versityofNebraskaMedicalCen-ter(UNMC)programdesignedtoincrease the supply of scientists for Nebraska’s growing bio-technology industry. Following graduationthissummer,Ashleeapplied for and accepted a posi-tionwith LI-COR as a researchassociatewiththefirm,thefirststudentintheINBREprogramtobe placed with a Nebraska bio-technology company. “The UNMC program helpedme learn procedures and tech-niques that I could use on the job, and helped build my confi-dence in knowing my way around thelab,”saidMuller.“Iremem-ber the company from my visit alongwithotherINBREscholarsin2004…IlikedwhatIsawanddecidedtoapply.” Dr.KristiAmbroz,managerofreagent product development andmanufacturingatLI-CORisafirsthandwitnesstotheresultsoftheUNMCprogram.“Ashleeclearly has valuable lab experi-ence beyond what is learned in a regular classroom. The pro-gram provided her an edge over othercandidatesforthejobanddecreasedourtrainingtime.” The Nebraska Institutional Networks of Biomedical Re-search Excellence (INBRE) pro-gram is the resultofa$17mil-lion five year grant awarded toDr.JamesTurpenatUNMC.Theprogram provides incentives to instructors at 12Nebraska col-leges to establish biotechnol-ogy research projects and toget interested students involved.

During thesummers the INBREprogram scholars continue their technical studies with an intern-ship,eitheratUNMC,UniversityofNebraska–Lincoln,orCreigh-ton University science labora-tories. “Becausewe feature afocused mentoring program and include as many other Nebraska colleges as possible, Nebras-ka’s program is now being ad-opted by the National Institute ofHealth(NIH)fundingauthorityas a model for other state pro-grams,…and I think that givesus a leg up on continued fund-ing and for being able to provide continuedbenefitstoNebraska,”said Turpen.Richard Baier, director of theNebraska Department of Eco-nomic Development agrees. “The success of this programrelates directly to an advantage Nebraska can have in providing ascientificallytrainedworkforcefor existing Nebraska biotechcompanies, and attracting newbiotechnologyactivityandfirmsto our state. We are in an in-ternational effort to strengthen and develop this industry in Ne-braska.Highlytrainedscientistsand technicians are essential if Nebraska is to participate in growing the knowledge-based industries inourstate,andpar-ticularly so in the biotechnology sector.”For information,contactDarrellUllman,DED,at800-426-6505,402-471-3786, or email: Dar-rell.ullman@ded.ne.gov; D. Doc Chaves,LI-CORInc.,at402-467-0750, or email: dchaves@licor.com; or James Turpen, Univer-sity of Nebraska Medical Cen-ter-BRIN, at 402-559-4388, oremail:jturpen@unmc.edu

uNmc bIotechNology program streNgtheNINg Nebraska’s bIoscIeNce Workforce

www.neded.org Nebraska Development News 2006 Issue 05 page 11

Whenitcomestoapplyingforandreceivingfunding,theold

saying“thereisstrengthinnumbers”reallyholdstrue,espe-

ciallyforthestate’sEconomicDevelopmentDistricts(EDD).

EDDsnotonlyencouragecooperationbetweenlocalgovern-

mentofficials,community-basedorganizationsandtheprivate

sector,butopendoorsforfederalfundingthatmostoftenisnot

availableforindividualcountyapplicants.

Following is a color-coded map featuring the state’s eight

EDDsandcontactinformationforeach:

state’s eDD’s are excelleNt sources for fuNDINg aND programs

• Metropolitan Area Planning Agency PaulF.Mullen ExecutiveDirector 2222CumingStreet Omaha,NE68102-4328 Ph:(402)444-6866 Fax:(402)342-0949 Email: paul_mullen@mapacog.org Web:www.mapacog.org

• siouxland Interstate Metro. Planning Council JaneGilbert&DwightLang Co-Exec.Directors 5077thStreet,P.O.Box10447 SiouxCity,IA51102 Ph:(712)279-6286 Email:JGilbert@simpco.org; Dwight@simpco.org Web:www.simpco.org

• northeast nebraska Development District ThomasHigginbotham ExecutiveDirector 111S.1stStreet Norfolk,NE68701 Ph:(402)379-1150,ext.13

Fax:(402)379-9207 Email: thomash@nenedd.org Web:www.nenedd.org

• southeast nebraska Development District GeorgeH.Frye ExecutiveDirector 2631‘O’Street Lincoln,NE68510-1398 Ph:(402)475-2560 Email: senddlincoln@alltel.net Web:www.senebraska.org

• Central nebraska economic Development District HeidiJ.Phillips ExecutiveDirector P.O.Box130,EastHwy.20 Bassett,NE68714 Ph:(402)394-5162or(402)684-3346 Fax:(402)394-5163or(402)684-3347 Email: heidi@cnedd.org Web:www.cnedd.org

• West Central nebraska Development District KarlElmshaeuser ExecutiveDirector

201E.2ndStreet, SuiteC,P.O.Box599 Ogallala,NE69153 Ph:(308)284-6077 Fax:(308)284-6070 Email: karl@wcndd.org

• Panhandle Area Development District JerrodHaberman ExecutiveDirector 143210thStreet Gering,NE69341 Ph:(308)436-6584 Fax:(308)436-6577 Email:jerrodh@charterinternet.com Web:www.nepadd.com

• south Central economic Development District SharonHueftle ExecutiveDirector 1320ValerieDrive Holdrege,NE68949 Ph:(308)995-3190 Email:Sharonh@scedd.us Web:www.scedd.us

Metrop olita n A rea Planni ng Agenc yPaul F. Mullen, Executive Director2222 Cuming Str eetOmaha, NE 681 02-4328Ph: (402) 444-6 866Fax: (402 ) 342- 0949Email: paul_mullen@mapacog.o rgWeb: http://www.mapacog.org

Siouxla nd I nter s tate M etro. Pla nnin g C oun cilJane Gilbert & D wight Lang, Co -E xec. Directors 507 7 th St reet, P. O. Bo x 10447 Sioux Cit y, IA 5 1102Ph: (712) 279-6 286Email: JG ilbert@simpco.or g; Dwight@simpco.orgWeb: http://www.simpco.org

North east Nebr aska De velopment Di strictThomas Higginb otham, Executive Director 111 S. 1 st StreetNorfolk, NE 6870 1Ph: (402) 379-1 150, ext. 1 3Fax: (402 ) 379- 9207Email: thomash@nenedd.o rgWeb: http://www.nenedd.or g

Sout heas t Nebr aska De velopment Di strictGeor ge H. Fr ye, Executive Director2631 ‘O’ Street Lincoln, NE 68510-1398 Ph: (402) 475-2 560Email: senddlincoln@alltel.netWeb: http://www.senebraska.org

Central Nebras ka Econ omic De velopmen t Dis trictHeidi J. Phill ips, Ex ecutive Dir ectorP.O. Bo x 130, E ast Hwy. 2 0Bassett, NE 68714 Ph: (402) 394-5 162 or (4 02) 6 84- 3346Fax: (402 ) 394- 5163 or ( 402) 684 -3347Email: heidi@cn edd.orgWeb: http://www.cnedd.org

West Cen tral Ne braska De velo pmen t Distri ctKarl Elmshaeuser, Executive Dire ctor201 E. 2 nd St reet, Suite C, P.O . Bo x 599 Ogallala, NE 691 53Ph: (308) 284-6 077Fax: (308 ) 284- 6070Email: karl@w cndd.org

Panha ndle A rea De velo pme nt DistrictJerrod Ha berma n, Executive Dire ctor1432 10 th St reetGering, NE 6934 1Ph: (308) 436-6 584Fax: (308 ) 436- 6577Email: jerrodh@ charterintern et.comWeb: http://www.nepadd.com

Sout h Ce ntral E c ono mic De velo pme nt Di strictSharon Hu eftle, Executive Director 1320 Valerie Driv eHoldrege, NE 68949Ph: (308) 995-3 190Email: Sharonh @scedd.usWeb: http://www.scedd.us

NDED PLang an 8/152006

page 12 2006 Issue 05 Nebraska Development News www.neded.org

Governor Dave Heinemanhas awarded Laurel $241,000Community Development BlockGrant (CDBG) funding to helpGiant A & M, Inc., a manufac-turer and wholesale supplier of automotive branded advertising productsexpand itsoperationstoLaurel,Neb.Thecompanywillcreate13full-timepositions.Asaresultoftheproject,estimatedimpacts thatareexpectedovertime could result in as many as eight secondary jobs in othersectors of the area economy. “I amsoproudof theeffortsof communities and economic developers all across Nebraska in taking advantage of the tools theyhaveavailable,”Gov.Heine-man said. “Whether they usethe Nebraska Advantage or fed-eralCDBGfunds,thejobstheseimportant programs help create are engines for economic growth incommunitiesofallsizes.” Laurel will loan the company $236,000 for working capital,to purchase stamping, injec-tion molding, screening andwelding equipment, and toconsolidateexistingequipmentfrom its California operations to the new Nebraska location. The remaining $5,000 will beavailable to the city of Laurel foradministrativeexpenses. An additional $1.072millionfromGiantpresidentLynnMad-sen,SecurityNationalBankofLaurel,theNebraskaEconomic

DevelopmentCorporation,andprogram income funding from the city of Laurel will go toward constructionofa10,000sq.ft.manufacturing and warehouse building addition, new equip-ment and working capital. GiantA&M,Inc.,willconverta former bank in Laurel into its Nebraska headquarters, andbuild an addition to the manu-facturing facility located along Highway 20.While the compa-ny’s California manufacturingand assembly plant will close,its principal sales office therewill remain open. Headquartered in San Mar-cos,Calif.,GiantA&M,Inc.cre-ates branded aluminum mud flaps, metal and plastic hitchcovers, floor mats, licenseframe inserts, mouse pads,aluminum cups, domed em-blems, and spare tire coversforFord,DodgeandChevroletsports utility vehicles and truck dealers in California and on the East Coast. Administered by DED, CDBGfunds assist with the develop-ment of businesses and commu-nities throughout the state. Fed-eral funds are made available to Nebraska from the U.S. De-partmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment’sCDBGprogram. Forinformation,contactStewJobes at 308-385-6355, oremail:stew.jobes@ded.ne.gov.

gov. heINemaN aWarDs laurel $241,000 IN cDbg fuNDINg

AsofSaturday,August26,shop-pers in the market for sporting goods,huntinggear,orasucculentsteak dinner will find it all at theOmahaScheelsstore.That’swhenanew partnership kicked off between theallsportsstorelocatedatOma-ha’sVillagePointeShoppingCenter,17202DavenportSt.,andNebraskaFamous Steaks of Hastings, Neb.,bothmembersofGROWNebraska. The partnership seemed destined from the start. Tammie Kruger ofScheels, served as a jurymemberofaGROWNebraskaproductevalu-ation training session this past April in Holbrook, Neb., where she metNebraskaFamousSteakspresidentSusan Gracey. Being no strangerto the quality products available throughGROWmembercompanies,Kruger was impressed with whatNebraskaFamousSteakshadtoof-fer. After the two companies worked out an agreement, Scheels hadtheir employees sample the beef to familiarize themwith the productsthey would be representing. Interestingly, Nebraska FamousSteakshadbeenconsideringopen-ing a retail store. “Our Omaha customers had con-tinuallyrequestedaretailstore,”saidGracey.“WorkingwithScheelswillhelpusserveourexistingclienteleandin-troduceourproductstonewclients.” The choice and prime Angus beefcutsarenaturallyaged,handtrimmed,vacuumpackedandflashfrozentosealinflavor.Thecompanyalsooffersorganicmeats,includingground beef and bison. An enthusiastic advocate of small businesses,Krugerhasbeeninstru-mentalinScheelscarryingproductsofmanyGROWNebraskamembers,including Heritage Falls, BarbequeSpecialties, Barn Candles, It’s AllAboutBeads,GardenBlends,BKHPopcorn,HRPoppin’Snacks,Holen

One, and Nellies Pet Snacks. Thestorealsoexpectstoaddproductsfrom Mama’s Salsa and HeavenlyCreations in the near future. “They[smallbusinessowners]areoften more personal and take more care [in their products] than people workingonassemblylines,”Krugersaid. “I definitely like that about it[workingwithsmallbusinesses].”Graceyacknowledgedthatthenon-profit GROW Nebraska was instru-mental in the successful partner-ship. “GROW provided the eventwhere this partnership began,”Gracey said. “The tremendousnetworking opportunities [through GROWNebraska]havebeenvitaltothegrowthofourbusiness.” “GROWNebraska’sgoalistohelpintroduce our members to new mar-ketingplatforms,andSusanGraceyembraced the opportunity to secure thisgreatpartnershipwithScheels,”said Janell Anderson Ehrke, CEOandGROWNebraskafounder.“Herhardworkhasdefinitelypaidoff.” Nebraska Famous Steaks fullproduct line is available at www.ne-braskafamoussteaks.com FoundedinSabin,Minn.,in1902as a hardware store, Scheels hasbecome a leader in sports, sportswear and footwear. The company operates 22 retail stores in eight states.Scheelswebsitecanbeac-cessed at www.scheelssports.com GROWNebraskahelpsmaximizethestate’sentrepreneurialspiritandbuild Nebraska businesses globally by providing sustainable business environments through marketing,education,businessbuildingservic-es,andaccessingmarkets.TolearnmoreaboutGROWNebraskaor itsentrepreneur and business mem-bers, visit the GROW website atwww.grownebraska.com, or phone1-888-GROWNEB.

omaha scheels, Nebraska famous steaks forge partNershIp

page 13 2006 Issue 05 Nebraska Development News www.neded.org

neBRAsKA DeVeLOPMent neWs(2006,Issue05)isapublicationoftheNebraskaDepartmentofEconomicDevelopment,P.O.Box94666,Lincoln,NE68509-4666.Onthewebat:www.neded.orgPhone:800-426-6505,402-471-3111.Fax:402-471-3778.Email:patty.wood@ded.ne.gov

Ifappropriatelycredited,materialinthedocumentmaybereproducedwithoutpermission.ItisthepolicyoftheNebraskaDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentnottodiscriminateonthebasisofsex,disability,race,color,religion,maritalstatus,ageornationalorethnicorigin.

Copyright2006

The mission of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development is:to develop economic opportunities by keeping nebraska businesses, communities and people competitive.

DaveHeineman,Governor•RichardBaier,DirectorGaryHamer,DeputyDirectorofOperations•PattyWood,MarketingDirector•SusanSitzmann,Editor

PeterMorris,GraphicDesigner

nebraska Department of economic DevelopmentP.O.Box94666 Lincoln,NE68509-4666 Phone:402-471-3111 TollFree:800-426-6505Fax:402-471-3778

economic Development CommissionN.P.“Sandy”DodgeJr.,OmahaPhyllisGardner,MaxDonGroesser,RalstonRichardJefferies,OmahaCraigMadson,LincolnJanetPalmtag,NebraskaCityMarilynSims,OmahaBobUnzicker,ScottsbluffTimWhite,GrandIsland

Tosubscribetothise-newsletter,pleasecalltollfree: 800-426-6505 or email: patty.wood@ded.ne.gov

Nebraskaisoneof45statessharing$25.5million in feder-algrantsfor309projectsthatimprove and promote highways designated as scenic byways. The announcement was made by U.S. Acting TransportationSecretaryMariaCino. The grants are part of the Federal Highway Administra-tion’sNationalScenicBywaysProgram that recognizes andenhances the archeological,cultural, historic, natural, rec-reational or scenic qualities of roads. Grants are used forwide-ranging projects, includ-ing visitors information cen-ters, scenic overlooks, bikepaths,pedestriantrails,safetyfeatures,andeducationalandpromotional materials.

ThethreeNebraskaprojectsreceiving funding are:

• nebraska Byways Internet enhancement—$121,600

• Viral Byway Marketing- Cost effective strategies to get out Messages— $116,800

• Branding Differentiation/ Individual Byways/Print Ads—$44,000Forinformation,contact:Chris-tian Hornbaker at 402-471-3794,oremail:christian.horn-baker@ded.ne.gov

Nebraska aWarDeD $282,400 for three sceNIc

byWay projects