Editorial

Area seems poised for breakthrough

Monday, December 22, 2003

Are you ready for the area economy to take a leap forward? Assuming the answer is yes, you should get your wish in 2004. With only 10 days to go before the New Year begins, it appears Southwest Nebraska is poised for a development breakthrough in the Leap Year of '04.

At the center of the wave of optimism is the ethanol plant taking shape for Trenton Agri Products, LLC. With up to 150 construction workers on the job, the plant east of Trenton is within three months of going into production.

Thanks to the extensive construction activity, the plant has already been a big boost to the area economy. And, it will remain so after opening, with a good, steady payroll pouring money into the economy. But the plant's benefit won't stop there. Higher prices for corn and milo will supply added cash for area grain producers; distilled grain will enhance area cattle feeding operations; and increased truck traffic will be a benefit to area gas stations, cafes and motels.

While the Trenton plant's impact will be significant, it may not be the end of ethanol development in this area. Accompanied by several members of his board of directors, Al Voudrie of Minnesota was in McCook earlier this month to meet with members of the McCook Economic Development Corp. At that session, Voudrie told the development board he is pushing ahead with plans for an ethanol plant at Perry. He is focusing upon federal ethanol incentives, which are a part of the U.S. Energy Bill which has been held over for consideration by Congress in 2004. During the McCook meeting, Todd Sneller of the Nebraska Ethanol Board endorsed Voudrie's efforts, saying Voudrie is respected in the industry for ethanol developments in Minnesota.

Adding to the ethanol activity is the progress taking place on other fronts. Bolstered by a million dollars in federal funding, 21st Century Systems is ready to launch a testing program of military vehicle computers in Southwest Nebraska. While 21st Century Systems will be based at McCook Community College, most of the testing will be done in the rugged terrain of Frontier County.

Then, very soon, there's a good chance McCook will have a helicopter based here to transport patients for medical emergencies. Negotiations are now under way between the McCook Economic Development Corp. and a family with connections to the medical air transport industry.

Given the task of working with the existing projects, and developing others, is Rex Nelson, McCook's new economic development director. Rex is a product of this area, having graduated from Medicine Valley High School in Curtis in 1975 and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1979. It's good to have Rex join the development effort as the New Year begins. Let's give him our full support as Southwest Nebraska prepares to leap ahead in 2004.

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