The Heritage Nebraska Board of Directors formally accepted Falls City as the newest Nebraska Main Street Community at their meeting on September 16, 2009, in Omaha.

A formal recognition ceremony in the community is slated for this fall and will be the final step in the Main Street community selection process for Falls City that began with an application workshop in February. An initial organizational orientation program will take place in January 2010, and a more intensive training for staff and volunteers will be scheduled in the spring.

“We are extremely honored to be chosen to participate in the Main Street program and look forward to working with the state coordinating staff and other Main Street communities,” said Becky Fischer, Manager of the Falls City Chamber of Commerce. “Our business owners downtown are excited to tap into the resources and assistance of the Main Street program as we preserve our hometown past with a vision for the future.”

Nebraska Main Street is a program of Heritage Nebraska in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and National Trust Main Street Center. The program’s purpose is to assist and support Nebraska communities in revitalizing their traditional commercial business districts through education and technical assistance.

Falls City is one of only a few designated Main Street communities in Nebraska. Other communities in the program include: Alliance, Beatrice, Elkhorn, Fremont, Geneva, Grand Island, Kearney, Nebraska City, Plattsmouth, Sidney, Wayne and York. Associate program communities include: Ainsworth, Bassett, Hastings, Havelock (Lincoln), Lexington and Minden.

The City of Falls City received special recognition during the annual Nebraska Diplomats banquet last Friday at The Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in Lincoln. Governor Dave Heineman presented the prestigious 2009 Community of the Year Award to Mayor Rodney Vandeberg and 21-Member Falls City Delegation Attending Awards Ceremonya group of 21 community leaders on hand to witness the award presentation. The evening was highlighted with a professional video featuring Falls City’s recent accomplishments. The video, which highlighted Falls City’s location assets, was shown to a worldwide audience filled with hundreds of government, industry, and economic development leaders, as well as site selectors from China, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina and throughout Nebraska.

“The Falls City EDGE Board of Directors would like to take a moment to thank you, our EDGE Investors, for playing such a large role in this achievement,” EDGE Director Beckie Cromer said. “It’s amazing how our city, county and private citizens have come together to fund EDGE at a level that allows us to be successful and do what we need to do. Many of the wonderful things that happen through EDGE are the result of your investment and volunteerism!”

Falls City’s $3 million Library and Arts Center, $3.2 million Aquatic Center, Jug Brown Stadium/Thomas Field complex, $21 million new Community Medical Center and the transformation of the Grand Weaver Hotel were among the capital investments listed in Falls City’s letter of nomination. also cited were the addition of Vantec, Inc., and infrastructure improvements, including the $32 million Missouri River Bridge at Rulo and the “Business Parkway” Industrial Road.

“EDGE Investors should be proud this morning, because your efforts to encourage economic growth and improve the business condition of the greater Falls City area are getting noticed! Thanks to you this successful organization has seen a number of accomplishments that have driven the community forward in the areas of economic development,” she said. “Congratulations EDGE Investors! We can – and should – proudly spread the word that we live in the Community of the Year in the Happiest State in the Nation, Falls City, NE! Please feel free to stop by the EDGE office and view the engraved crystal award. It is proudly being displayed in the front window!”

View letter to the community from EDGE President Kevin Malone »»