Growth era beginning on Golden Plains

Instead of 12 counties spread over a vast section of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas, imagine the Golden Plains Region as a single city with 40,000 population.

Why do that? Because it helps put in perspective the economic growth which has taken place in the Golden Plains in the past few years. If this were a single city -- instead of a region -- residents would be raving about the job creation which has taken place since 2001.

In that five-year span, the Golden Plains has celebrated the opening of the Work Ethic Camp in McCook; Timber Creek Homes in Stratton; 21st Century Systems in McCook; Trenton Agri-Products, LLC near Trenton; Roskop Dairy at Beaver City; Pawnee Aviation in McCook; and Kauffman Trailers in Beaver City.

And the progress continues. The elevator has been torn down on the southeast edge of Cambridge, clearing the way for the construction of the Mid-America Bio-Energy ethanol plant, and the Herndon school building has been sold to Cencast, an Oregon-based manufacturing company which makes replacement joints.

In addition, application has been made for a grant and loan program to renovate the Keystone Hotel in McCook into a center for technology, business and residential living. In other area communities, talks are progressing with companies interested in establishing production facilities in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas.

What this all adds up to is a regional economy which is doing better than we give ourselves credit for. It also reminds us -- as we move into the future -- that residents of the region need to remember how important we are to each other.

Pam Harsh, executive director of the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce, said she was reminded of the wider community concept at this year's Chamber banquet. "We had award winners from Indianola and Bartley as well as McCook. It shows how inter-connected we are."

Charlie Pelkey, president and CEO of Timber Creek Homes in Stratton, made a similar point. "Our employees come from all over the area, with 20 percent coming from McCook," which is located 34 miles away.

Much more needs to be done to achieve continued growth in the Golden Plains. But -- amid the concern -- there are encouraging developments. We need to celebrate our neighbors' success and join them in pursuing future growth opportunities.