1. Increased product inventory – marketable sites and buildings.

• Expanded Falls City Industrial Park, acquiring 10.1 acres of land to accommodate future business growth and development.
• Completed upgrades to the 17,700 sq. ft. available building to enhance its marketability.
• Approved use of HUD-EDI grant funds to redesign and remodel the former Family Medical Clinic building to enhance its marketability and potential use as a back office operations/call center.
• Approved utilization of HUD-EDI grant funds to renovate space in the Grand Weaver Hotel to accommodate two entrepreneurial/ start-up businesses.

2. Strengthened the competitiveness of the Falls City business location product.

• Completed steps to utilization Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as a financial economic development tool.
• EDGE secured $12,000 Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) grant to fund an enhanced local housing and redevelopment plan. In addition, Falls City secured a $100,000 grant through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and $20,000 in Site Clearance Funding. These are key steps that have been taken to increase quality housing inventory.
• Participated in Career Day at Falls City High School by conducting entrepreneurial seminars for high school students which resulted in young people having a greater awareness of the many opportunities Falls City has to offer.
• Ongoing contact with Governor‘s Office, Congressional Delegation, State Senators and local public officials to advance Falls City‘s economic development priorities, including advocating for improvements to area‘s transportation infrastructure and funding for development sites in the Industrial Park.

3. Retained all major employers/capital investments.

• Completed sales calls on all leading employers and corporate headquarters of Watkins Aircraft Support Products (WASP) in Glenwood, MN; Ames True Temper in Camp Hill, PA; Vantec in Webster City, IA and Herzog in St. Joseph, MO.
• Employment levels remained steady and employers are optimistic about 2010. Ames True Temper‘s employment grew to over 30 and the company plans to bring new product lines to the Falls City facility.
• Community Medical Center opened its new $21 million state-of-the-art medical facility.

4. Filled the marketing-sales pipeline with qualified prospects.

• Launched series of quarterly targeted direct marketing campaigns, available sites and buildings advertisements on the commercial real estate website Loop Net and worked closely with state and regional economic development partners to market Falls City‘s business location opportunities. As a result, EDGE filled the marketing-sales pipeline with over 475 qualified businesses and site selection consultants, 5 active projects and 5 site visits.
• Over 5,000 Falls City and Sacred Heart high school alumni were sent a mailing encouraging them to help tell and sell the story of a new, progressive Falls City, resulting in 200, thus far, requesting to receive EDGE news and updates.

5. Strengthened the Falls City brand identity by developing a new, comprehensive community portal website that serves as a gateway to the EDGE, Chamber and City websites. The site retains EDGE‘s brand visual identity established in 2006, including the position-driven theme line―Strategically Positioned. Building for the Future.

6. Increased member investors and maintained investment levels.

• Worked diligently to inform, engage and demonstrate accountability to member investors and community stakeholders. The 2006-09 Milestones Marketing Our Journey on the Road to Economic Development Success issued mid-year was very well received by investors and community stakeholders, as well as other informational events, including the annual meeting and series of lunch and learns.
• According the 2009 member investors survey, 100% of those responding indicated they are satisfied with EDGE‘s performance in achieving its mission of encouraging economic development and growth and improving the business conditions of the Falls City area.

7. Named Nebraska Community of the Year.

8. Awarded Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community Designation.

9. Named Nebraska Main Street Community which is a great addition to Falls City and will be a great resource and partner as we grow the new and progressive Falls City.

10. JW Prairie Wind Power sited Richardson County for its Flat Water Wind Farm development. This $100+ million project will generate reliable energy, create clean-energy jobs and provide long-term economic benefits for the area.