Officials of the Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise, Inc. (EDGE) announced today the hiring of Chuck Whitney as Executive Director. He will begin his new responsibilities on November 26th.

“We interviewed seven candidates for the position and Chuck was the best match for the position. We are pleased to be able to hire an individual of his caliber.” said Kevin Malone, EDGE President, “He is a proven leader with an extensive and diverse business background that will definitely be an asset in leading EDGE’s efforts to create new investment opportunities and jobs. He has a lot of enthusiasm, excellent interpersonal skills and a passion for seeing Falls City prosper. He’ll be great a promoter of Falls City as a place to do business, work and live. ”

Whitney graduated from Falls City High School and is the son of the late Riel and Jean Whitney. “I love Falls City—it’s my home town. I am very much looking forward to coming home and being an important part of the future of growth and development of Falls City,” Whitney said.

He and his wife, Bev, will be relocating to Falls City from Johnstown, Nebraska near Valentine. “Our move to Falls City will put us in closer proximity to several of our four grown sons and their families, and eight grandchildren. My sister, Dorothy Towle, who owns Southeast Nebraska Telephone Company also lives in Falls City. In addition to spending time with my family, I enjoy golf and a variety of outdoor activities.”

The community will be invited to meet Chuck and Bev at an EDGE Open Office event to be announced at a future date.

For more information, please contact Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise (EDGE) at 402.245.2105 or e-mail.

A group of Falls City entrepreneurs, Vision 20-20, Inc., announced Friday the purchase of the Stephenson Motel property, a week after the sale was completed.

…While the newly named “Vision Inn Motel” will continue to operate, future plans call for a new, two-story motel in the future.

Vision 20-20, Inc., is made up of investors Allan and Mary Ann Clark, Jim and Shirley Jones, Dennis and Judy Mellage, Jerry and Nancy McKim and Leon Wilhelm.

The group owns the property on the north and west sides of the current motel.  That’s where they plan to build a new motel.

“We’ll clean and spruce up-give a general facelift-for the entire existing motel,” Jerry McKim said.  “Our plans are to erect a new, two story motel within two years.  We hope to break ground next fall.”

… The new motel area will likely include modern slots to accommodate recreational vehicles.

Vision 20-20, Inc., was formed “to help Falls City,” McKim said, “and then this came along.”  The property became available for purchase after the death of J.G. Stephenson.

Source:  Falls City Journal, October 30, 2007

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