Dawson County Funding Recipients Recognized by USDA Rural Development

Lexington, Neb., June 29, 2012 – USDA Rural Development Nebraska State Director Maxine Moul and staff were in Lexington, Nebraska today to recognize three Dawson County, Nebraska recipients of USDA Rural Development funds totaling nearly $800,000.

 

Rural Economic Development Grant recipients include the City of Lexington, which will use $300,000 to assist in building a 60,000 square foot speculative building in order to attract new businesses to the area.  This project will create 25 jobs.  The City of Gothenburg received $300,000 to assist with infrastructure updates (water, sewer, and roads) to an existing site location for a business that is considering moving into Gothenburg to provide service to the rail industry.  This project will initially create 17 jobs.  The City of Cozad will utilize $190,000 to assist with the renovation of an existing building located in Cozad.  A call center has already expressed interest in relocating to the City.  This project will create 10 jobs.

 

“The funds are awarded to each community’s municipal utilities and will help provide for economic development in these rural areas,” said Moul.  “I congratulate the recipients and look forward to the accomplishments of each project.”  The municipal utilities have been certified as eligible rural utilities under the USDA Rural Utilities Service REDG program.  The Dawson County grants are the first in Nebraska to municipal utilities.

 

State Director Moul later visited the businesses of two of the Rural Energy for America Program grant recipients.  In Arapahoe, Wagner’s Supermarket was recognized for receiving $25,136 to replace existing freezers and coolers in the grocery store.  The applicant will realize a 75 percent annual energy savings, equating to $23,289 yearly.  In Elwood, Sjomeling Enterprises, LLC dba The Red Barn of Elwood was recognized for $4,286 received to replace an inefficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system that will net a 34 percent annual energy savings or $2,748 per year.

 

“The energy savings these grants will produce will allow the owners to reinvest in their business and help to stimulate the local economy,” said Moul.

 

For additional information contact Kelley Messenger at Kelley.messenger@ne.usda.gov or phone (308) 237-3118 Ext. 1120.  Visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ne/.