Southwest Nebraska Development Network enjoys tour of Benkelman

Andrea McClintic of Kearney, business development consultant with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, and Benkelman, Nebraska, business owner Ben Blecha walk in front of the 35,000-ton liquid fertilizer tanks of Gavilon Fertilizer LLC on the southwest corner of Benkelman. (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette)

BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- General manager Randall J. Raile explained a small segment of the complex wiring systems that support the telecommunications, Internet, cable television and computer sales, support and wiring services provided by BWTelcom, "a small mom-and-pop company" that started with telephone services in Benkelman (Nebraska) in 1944.

"I'm the fourth generation. My daughter, Kacey (Harper), is the fifth generation," Raile told members of the Southwest Development Network who toured Benkelman businesses on Oct. 26.

Through each generation, BWTelcom has focused on family ownership, hometown service and community support, Raile said. Keeping pace with advancements in the industry, BWTel has expanded and enhanced its offerings through the years to customers in Benkelman, Haigler, Max, Parks, Wauneta, Danbury and Lebanon.

General manager Randall J. Raile points out details in equipment at BWTelcom in Benkelman. (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette)

"Technology shifts, and we move with it," Raile said. The company employs 20. "We're blessed with good people who have good ideas," Raile said. BWTelcom supports its communities, which in turn, Raile said, "helps our communities grow ... keeps our communities alive." BWTelcom has supported causes, projects and organizations such as schools, student scholarships, senior centers, county fairs, community celebrations and theaters.

Gavilon Fertilizer and DeBruce Grain of Benkelman also were among stops on the tours of Benkelman Oct. 26.

Steve Deines, area sales manager of Gavilon Fertilizer, a wholesale supplier of fertilizer, said the new Benkelman plant will cover a 130-radius and sell to fertilizer retailers.

Deines said the plant will produce more starter fertilizers at the Benkelman plant because of area soil types. Deines said that plans include the development of dry fertilizer production. "There's nothing close for dry fertilizer," he said. Dirt work starts this fall for the dry plant.

The liquid fertilizer plant employs three to four full-time people and two part-timers, Deines said, and shares some employees with DeBruce Grain.

The dry plant will need an additional four full-timers, Deines said.