Falls City Economic and Growth Enterprise, Inc., (EDGE) president Kevin Malone began Wednesday evening’s festivities at the Elks Club on a most positive note. The occasion was the economic development organization’s annual banquet and investors’ meeting, and Malone’s message was amplified by all who spoke. … The fact is that EDGE has been getting it done. That was illustrated by Vice President of Investor and Community Relations Bart Keller … Keller spoke of a “Top 10″ list of EDGE accomplishments during 2008.
That list was headed by Vantec, Inc., the custom plastics manufacturing operation that has located in Falls City’s former spec building. Keller said Vantec’s $4.4 million operation has created 25 new jobs and that the company plans to “expand operations and employment in the future.” The top of the list was shared by Community Medical Center, which is building a new facility and “will be adding staff,” said Keller.
No. 2: “The City of Falls City was awarded a total of $550,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding for the Vantec and Hotel Stephenson projects, leveraging over $5 million in private investments,” Keller explained.
Also making Keller’s Top 10:
No. 3: A public policy agenda to guide EDGE’s position and approach on public policy issues, including support for infrastructure improvements “that will provide connectivity for businesses and residents and assist in the development of the greater Falls City area as a growing industrial, commercial, residential and tourism destination.” EDGE has strongly supported the new Missouri River bridge at Rulo and has met with state leaders regarding improvements to Highways 73 and 159.
No. 4: Increasing product inventory, i.e., “marketable industrial sites and buildings.” Keller said EDGE is working with an engineering firm to identify and evaluate potential sites for development, as well as developing a “virtual building.” EDGE continues to work with the City of Falls City to upgrade the former Products Unlimited building using $85,000 in HUD Economic Development funds.
No. 5: EDGE provided 10 tuition grants for the Southeast Nebraska Community College’s Adult Welders’ Training Program. Students are trained on welding stations EDGE helped secure last year at Falls City High.
No. 6: A report was generated providing a comprehensive assessment of the available labor pool in the Richardson County area, including counties in Missouri and Kansas.
No. 7: The EDGE website, which is continually updated, experienced a high increase in activity in 2008. Check it out at www.fallscityedge.com.
No. 8: EDGE worked in collaboration with its state and regional marketing partners to generate contacts, leads, prospects, sales appointments and projects. During the year, EDGE responded with sales proposals to five qualified leads, resulting in two projects, two site visits and one location (Vantec). Two leads/projects continue to be active.
No. 9: The I2E, Inventors, Investors and Entrepreneurs Club, was launched and EDGE was actively involved in establishing the club.
No. 10: The member-investor Lunch and Learn sessions were well received. Five new groups became member-investors.
“We’ve had a very successful year,” Keller said, “with a lot going on behind the scenes.” He said all involved with EDGE “worked hard” and that the effort remains a “work in progress” that he hopes “goes on for a long, long time.”
Keynoting this year’s annual meeting was Richard Baier, Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Also attending from the Department was Phil Michel, Development Consultant. (Baier shown in photo to the right; both shown in the photo above with EDGE officials.)
Source: Falls City Journal - Scott Schock
Economic Development
