Frequently Asked Questions

Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise (EDGE) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit based in Falls City. Private and public investors fund EDGE. The organization advances business conditions in Falls City, Richardson County, and neighboring areas.
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EDGE champions business recruitment, expansion, and entrepreneurship. We are the primary point of contact for site selectors, executives, and developers assessing the area.

Falls City sits in southeast Nebraska near the Kansas and Missouri state lines, serving a tri-state market of over 4.2 million people within 100 miles.​

The city lies between Omaha and Kansas City. Lincoln and Topeka are within 90 minutes of our community. This central U.S. position supports regional distribution and workforce access.

Falls City connects to Union Pacific and BNSF Class I railroads serving industrial sites.
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Highway access includes Interstate 29 within 20 minutes. U.S. Highways 73, 159, 36, and 75 support truck distribution within a few miles. The Missouri River port at Rulo is 10 miles east.

The Mid America Rail Campus is a 1,017-acre speculative industrial rail park in Falls City. It offers direct access to the Union Pacific mainline. Large contiguous tracts — large areas of connected land — enable the construction of rail spurs (short branch railroad tracks) and phased development.

Located west of U.S. Highway 73 and near the Kansas border, the campus targets biofuels, manufacturing, logistics, food processing, and data operations. Falls City Utilities provides electric, water, sewer, natural gas, and fiber.

EDGE targets sectors aligned with local infrastructure, workforce, and logistics. Targeted industries include:​

• Biofuels and bio-based manufacturing
• Advanced and heavy manufacturing
• Shipping and logistics
• Food and beverage processing
• Electrical generation
• Data centers and business services

Each sector benefits from rail access, developable land, and utility capacity. These assets, alongside the regional labor pool, also define Falls City’s workforce advantages.

Falls City draws from a regional labor pool of about 62,000 workers within 45 miles. In 2021, Richardson County had 2,987 jobs and 4,373 resident workers. The negative commuter balance signals the availability of labor.
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Nineteen colleges and technical schools are within 90 minutes. Nebraska Customized Job Training grants help offset training costs. Falls City High School's Career Academy supports industry-focused instruction.

Falls City Utilities supplies 21,116 kW of electric capacity. Peak demand averages 15,100 kW. In 2025, a new transmission line project began to ensure long-term reliability.
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Recent infrastructure investments include:
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• 5 million dollars in downtown electrical distribution upgrades
• 4.1 million dollars in downtown utility improvements
• 15 million dollars in state-supported utility upgrades at the rail campus

Water, sewer, and natural gas systems support industry needs. Developers can request capacity studies during site evaluation.
 

EDGE helps companies utilize local and state incentive programs. Available resources include gap financing, modernization grants, tax increment financing, and bond financing.
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Local programs include:

Small Business Gap Fund loans with terms from one to five years
Asset Modernization Initiative rebates of 5 percent up to 25,000 dollars
An additional 1 percent rebate per new full-time employee, up to 5 percent
Tax Increment Financing for eligible redevelopment projects

EDGE guides applicants through the eligibility review and documentation process. All inquiries remain confidential.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development manages statewide incentive and grant programs to support job creation, capital investment, and site development.

The Nebraska Investment Finance Authority issues Industrial Development Revenue Bonds. Nebraska Customized Job Training grants reduce onboarding costs for the workforce. EDGE coordinates with state officials to align local and state support.

The region produces strong corn and soybean yields within 75 miles, supporting a steady feedstock supply for biofuels. BDO Zone A ratings for corn stover indicate strong biomass availability.
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Citroniq Chemicals selected the Mid America Rail Campus for a $5 billion bio-based polypropylene facility. The project plans to employ about 160 workers. Rail access and large industrial tracts support high-volume feedstock delivery and product shipment.

Manufacturers have access to rail, highways, regional labor, and reliable electric capacity. Sites support heavy pads and flexible expansion.

Developers can review electric rate schedules, soil data, and transport analyses during planning. Logistics operations are also supported by Falls City’s infrastructure and rail convergence.

Manufacturers have access to rail, highways, regional labor, and reliable electric capacity. Sites support heavy pads and flexible expansion.

Developers can review electric rate schedules, soil data, and transport analyses during planning. Logistics operations are also supported by Falls City’s infrastructure and rail convergence.

Local agriculture provides corn, soybeans, and other inputs. Consolidated Grain and Barge invested 23 million dollars in grain handling and BNSF rail shipping facilities. This infrastructure supports a steady inbound supply.

Municipal water and sewer systems handle process demand for many operations. Fairview Pet Foods announced the modernization of its 60,000-square-foot facility. Companies can review wastewater permitting and utility capacity data before investment.

Falls City operates a citywide fiber-to-the-home network through Southeast Nebraska Communications. High bandwidth connectivity supports data and business service operations. Fiber access reduces latency for regional users.

Developers can request uptime history and outage statistics. To begin exploring these opportunities, contact Falls City EDGE for more information.

Companies and site selectors can contact:

Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise, Inc.

Lucas Froeschl, Executive Director

PO Box 574
1705 Stone Street
Falls City, NE 68355

Phone: (402) 245-2105
Cell: (402) 245-8435

Email: director@fallscityedge.com

EDGE responds to inquiries about sites, utilities, workforce, and incentives. Staff coordinates data requests and site visits.