Vicki Ritterling (402) 437-5563

(Economic Impact Initiative Grants) Denise Meeks (402) 437-5559

(Business) Roy Fordyce (402) 437-5554

(Energy) Cliff Kumm (402) 223-3125

# USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT INJECTS NEARLY \$636,000

# INTO RURAL NEBRASKA

# *\--ENERGY, ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BENEFIT*

**Lincoln, Neb., September 21, 2005---**The United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development recently funded 43 projects
throughout Nebraska totaling \$635,878 that will impact rural areas in
matters of energy, business development and essential community
facilities.

"Dollars invested into rural Nebraska are dollars well spent," stated
Nebraska State Director Scot Blehm, USDA Rural Development. "USDA Rural
Development is pleased to be able to assist in projects that will help
strengthen Nebraska's rural economy. Conservation of energy, business
development, facilities that offer increased protection to our rural
residents and those that promote community involvement are all important
to strengthening and growing rural communities."

Energy Efficiency Improvements and Renewable Energy Systems grants are
awarded to farmers, ranchers, and for-profit small businesses to provide
assistance in the development of renewable energy such as wind, solar,
biomass, biogas and geothermal; and energy efficiency improvement
projects such as insulation, windows, doors, HVAC, refrigeration,
lighting, pumping/air/motor systems. *Nebraska received \$418,348 in
energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems grants.
Recipients include:*

-   [The Front Porch Inn]{.underline}-Bassett-\$7,270-new energy
    efficient HVAC system, water heater, dryer, windows/doors,
    insulation.

-   [Grand Central Foods, Inc.]{.underline}-York-\$39,290-energy
    improved freezer equipment for grocery store.

-   [Allmand Brothers]{.underline}-Holdrege-\$2,710-new energy efficient
    light fixtures in manufacturing plant.

-   [Warnken Farms]{.underline}-Hildreth-\$12,018-convert to pivot
    irrigation.

-   [Bernard Fehringer]{.underline}-Sidney-\$4,490-convert irrigation to
    electrical power.

-   [Buzz's Marine Supply, Inc.]{.underline}-Kearney-\$4,870-new
    efficient heat pumps, install duct work, new coils to existing gas
    furnace.

-   [Darren Franzen]{.underline}-Gothenburg-\$20,250-convert to pivot
    irrigation.

-   [Diamond Pines, LLC]{.underline}-Gothenburg-\$3,690-replace 80 light
    fixtures, increase tonnage of cooling system and convert to
    air-to-air heat pump.

-   [E&L Holding, LLC]{.underline}-Chadron-\$57,940-new heating/cooling,
    insulation, windows, lights and shop heat.

-   [The Eating Establishment, dba Runza]{.underline}-York-\$2,650-new
    energy efficient heat pump.

-   [Flower Land]{.underline}-Valentine-\$9,570-energy improvements
    including new windows, doors, insulation, heating/cooling system.

-   [Fred Koch]{.underline}-Beatrice-\$15,630-convert to low pressure
    pivot system with electric motor.

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-   [Gene Niederklein]{.underline}-Wilber-\$17,250-convert to low
    pressure pivot system and electric motor.

-   [Goertzen-Ensz Farms Partnership]{.underline}-Beatrice-\$8,940-new
    pumping system, electric motor and low pressure pivot.

-   [Gregory Anderson]{.underline}-Minden-\$2,730-convert to Iveco
    diesel powered engine.

-   [Gross Seed Company]{.underline}-Johnstown-\$4,870-install energy
    efficient windows and doors.

-   [Heavenly Treasure Inc.]{.underline}-Pawnee City-\$5,700-new
    heating/cooling, windows and lighting.

-   [James Albers]{.underline}-Minden-\$3,880-convert to high efficiency
    diesel powered motors.

-   [JD Printing and Publishing
    Company]{.underline}-Neligh-\$9,440-install higher energy efficient
    insulation, heating, lighting, doors and windows.

-   [Jeffrey Rahe]{.underline}-DeWitt-\$11,710-convert to low pressure
    pivot irrigation system.

-   [Johnny B. Lien]{.underline}-Springview-\$4,000-new, efficient
    irrigation pump and electric motor.

-   [Larjo Farms Inc.]{.underline}-Fairbury-\$13,310-new low pressure
    pivot system and diesel power unit.

-   [Marvin Zimmerman]{.underline}-Plymouth-\$15,400-convert to energy
    and water efficient low pressure pivot system and new electric power
    unit.

-   [Larry Siebert]{.underline}-Henderson-\$17,370-convert to efficient
    pivot systems and electric motors.

-   [Mulhall Farm's Inc.]{.underline}-Gretna-\$49,830-install
    geo-thermal heating system for new green houses.

-   [Pizza Hut of West Point, Inc.]{.underline}-West Point-\$4,000-new
    energy efficient HVAC system.

-   [Quad J Limited]{.underline}-Bertrand-\$3,250-purchase two new
    irrigation well motor systems.

-   [Randy Hughes]{.underline}-Royal-\$5,740-new, efficient pump,
    accessories and electric motor.

-   [RGR Farms]{.underline}-Royal-\$7,120-convert two irrigation motors
    to electric power.

-   [Seger Funeral Home Inc.]{.underline}-Atkinson-\$6,000-new, high
    efficiency heating/cooling equipment and windows.

-   [Sorensen Grading]{.underline}-Plattsmouth-\$2,670-improve lighting
    and heating systems, replace overhead shop door, install insulation
    at business.

-   [Tom Svoboda dba D.C. Auto Parts]{.underline}-David City-\$3,470-new
    heating/cooling equipment, windows and doors in business facility.

-   [Uncle Buck's Lodge]{.underline}-Brewster-\$2,740-energy efficiency
    improvements to freezer/cooler and water heating equipment.

-   [Victor Bohuslavsky]{.underline}-Brainard-\$5,420-convert irrigation
    to new, high efficiency diesel units.

-   [Vulpes Corporation]{.underline}-Broken Bow-\$6,630-new 10 ton high
    efficiency heat pump to provide heating and cooling for theatre in
    Broken Bow.

-   [Wahoo Locker, LLC]{.underline}-Wahoo-\$19,610-new energy efficient
    locker equipment.

-   [Wallen Farms INC]{.underline}-McCook-\$6,890-convert irrigation
    wells to electric motors.

Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) are awarded to public bodies,
non-profits, and Indian Tribes to facilitate and finance development of
small and emerging private business enterprises in rural areas. Rural
Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG) are awarded to public bodies,
non-profits, Indian Tribes and cooperatives to provide technical
assistance for business development and to conduct economic planning in
rural areas. *Nebraska received RBEG and RBOG funds totaling \$127,700.
Recipients include:*

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-   [Loup Basin RC&D Council]{.underline} awarded \$83,000 in RBEG funds
    to purchase equipment for an Information Technology Center that will
    provide training and educational opportunities for small business
    development, youth, organizations, emergency personnel and health
    service professionals in a nine county area of the state.

-   [Nebraska Grain and Feed Association]{.underline} received \$44,700
    in RBOG funds to design, implement, evaluate and replicate a Hunting
    and Recreation Cooperative in Nebraska.

Economic Impact Initiative grants are available to non-profit groups,
public entities and Indian Tribes to develop essential community
facilities in rural communities with extreme high unemployment and
severe economic depression. *Nebraska received \$89,830 in economic
impact initiative grants. Recipients include:*

-   [Village of Ragan]{.underline} awarded \$27,000 for community/fire
    hall improvements benefiting 46 rural residents.

-   [Lynch Rural Fire District]{.underline} received \$19,330 for the
    purchase of a grass fire truck that will serve 854 rural residents
    of a 7 township area.

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-   [Sandhills Development Corporation]{.underline} received \$24,500 to
    acquire medical equipment for the Sandhills Development Corporation
    medical facility serving primarily the nearly 500 rural residents of
    Mullen with secondary service area consisting of rural areas of all
    or part of Hooker, Grant, Thomas and McPherson counties.

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-   [Village of Cotesfield]{.underline} awarded \$19,000 to develop a
    well for fire protection serving 66 rural residents.

For additional information, contact your local USDA Rural Development
office or the USDA Rural Development State Office at (402) 437-5551,
(402) 437-5093 (TDY); Rm. 152 Federal Building 100 Centennial Mall North
Lincoln, NE 68508. Visit <http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ne/> to locate an
office nearest you.

\#

"USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender."

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights,

1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410

or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).