Geneva, Neb. is recertified through 2020

Geneva, Neb. (pop. 2,217), has earned its recertification in the Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community Program. The city was originally certified in September 2007, and recertified in September 2010 and October 2015.

The program is sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats and administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED). Designation as a Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community indicates that Geneva is prepared for business growth and ready to meet the needs of companies seeking new business and industrial locations.

“Geneva has implemented an aggressive approach to building and growing the community,” said Nebraska Diplomats President Annette Wiles. “It is evident in the solid, well-rounded mix of business growth and expansion projects, housing projects and more.”

“It is with great pride and excitement that Geneva is recertified as an economic development certified community,” said Mayor Rodney Norrie. “As I enter my fourth mayoral term, I have seen many positive achievements by the City thanks in part to being a Certified Community. We continue to offer a very healthy business environment and attractive community in which to live, work and play. We couldn’t do that without a strong economic development plan and people to implement it.”

“The City of Geneva has benefited from being a Certified Community over the past five years in some very direct and indirect ways,” said City Administrator Kyle Svec. “Being certified has been instrumental in allowing us to improve our community through various economic development programs, which in turn boosts the local economy. That, in turn, has a reciprocal effect on everything the city does from infrastructure improvements to bettering our park and recreational system, library and emergency services—and at the end of the day—a better quality of life for our citizens.”

“The Fillmore County Development Corporation (FCDC) focuses on local business expansion and business attraction, regardless of size or scope,” said Megan Williams, Fillmore County Development Corporation Board Chairman. “Geneva being an Economic Development Certified Community will continue to support FCDC’s vision to achieve the most dynamic business climate in Fillmore County by pursing all avenues of growth for new and existing businesses, maximizing employment opportunities, increasing the tax base and improving the quality of life for its citizens.”

During the past five years the City of Geneva and the FCDC have helped 25 new businesses locate in the community, resulting in 64 new jobs; helped 12 existing businesses expand, resulting in new capital investment and 51 new jobs; and sold seven lots in the FCDC Industrial Park, resulting in 14 new jobs.

Business accomplishments during the past five years include:

• In March 2012, Fillmore County Hospital celebrated the grand opening of its new $18.2 million facility.
• Heritage Crossing completed a $2 million renovation project that added seven assisted living units and four cottages for residents ages 55 and older.
• Nick’s Farm Store, an implement and seed dealer, completed a $1 million expansion that included the addition of a 20,000 sq. ft. building, a new seed bin, and four new jobs.
• Geneva Welding and Supply, a metal fabrication manufacturer, invested $500,000 into its facility, expanding the existing space by 15,000 sq. ft. and added three new jobs.
• Metal Tech Partners, a metal fabrication manufacturer, completed a 12,000 sq. ft. warehouse expansion to accommodate a new powder coating line. The company invested more than $2 million in the project.

Community accomplishments during the past five years include:

• The City has taken part in two owner-occupied housing rehabilitation programs, investing nearly $400,000 in rehabilitating 18 houses communitywide.
• Since 2010, Geneva has participated in a countywide down-payment assistance program that allowed 20 Geneva families and couples to purchase rehabilitated housing.
• In 2011, Geneva started a downtown revitalization program that led to 12 façade improvement projects and the installation of new historic street lighting. The improvements helped add character to the community’s historic, brick-lined downtown business district.
• The City’s passage of LB840 Local Option Sales Tax funds for economic development led to establishing a loan program that has assisted new business start-ups and existing business expansions. From 2010-2015 the program has invested more than $1.2 million in new and existing business projects.

DED Business Development Consultant Deb Eggleston attended the November 16 city council meeting to recognize the City’s efforts.

Contact Lynn Kohout at 402-440-2559, or lynn.kohout@nebraska.gov ,or visit http://staging.neded.org/economic-development-certified-community for additional information on the Economic Development Certified Community Program.

CONTACT Kate Ellingson at 1-800-426-6505, 1-402-471-3749 or email kate.ellingson@nebraska.gov