By the BF Staff
From the March/April 2016 Issue
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has awarded the City of York $267,955 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to assist York Cold Storage with an expansion of its operations. The project will create 10 full-time jobs in addition to maintaining its existing 65 full-time employees.
The City of York will contribute $87,045 in CDBG Program Income funds for a total $355,000 CDBG award. Of this amount, $5,000 will go to the City to be used for administrative-related expenses. The $350,000 will be conditionally granted to Southeast Nebraska Development, Inc., a non-profit development organization, which, in turn, will make a loan to the company.
York Cold Storage is a bonded cold food storage warehousing facility that is rented out to customers and a food-processing facility in York. The company will use the funding to purchase and install new equipment, and update its cold storage facility. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Great West-Teeuwissen, LLC, acquired in 2008.
“York Cold Storage has been a great corporate citizen for years, providing substantial jobs for many in the community,” said Governor Pete Ricketts. “So we are pleased to be able to provide a financial assist that allows them to move toward accomplishing their notable growth and expansion goals.”
Great West, LLC, was established in 1980 as a meat and meat by-products trading company specializing in beef for the pet food industry. Teeuwissen Products, based in The Netherlands, approached Great West in 2008 and a 50/50 joint venture in the United States was created, combining the expertise of both groups.
An additional $2 million loan from U.S. Bank will complete the project.
Federal funds are made available to Nebraska from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s CDBG program, which assists with the development of businesses and communities throughout the state.
York County, NE is right for your next location. There are many competitive advantages with the location, agriculture assets and workforce being local economic driving forces. Available sites include two rail-served sites, business parks, and available buildings for sale or lease. All sites are within five miles of Interstate 80. Manufacturers, agribusiness and logistic, warehouse and distribution all benefit from the logistics in York County.
Logistics, warehouse and distribution companies are strong in York County. York Cold Storage, with their ongoing $3 million expansion is a good example of how logistic companies grow in York County. Why? Burlington Northern Santa Fe mainline travels east/west giving rail access to businesses. Interstate 80, a major freight corridor, intersects with Highway 81 in York County. I-80 has four exits in York County. The intersection of I-80 and Highway 81 provides quick and easy access into Canada, to the ports in Texas, and from east coast to west coast. One can truck shipments to 90 percent of the lower 48 states in two days or less. Due to this, truck sales and services are strong with Truck Center Companies, Sahling Kenworth, Good 2 Go Travel Center and many more.
Manufacturers will find an existing workforce with skill sets in metal fabrication and advanced manufacturing. York County also has developed a niche in clean advanced manufacturing including Cyclonaire and UTC Aerospace Systems. Metal manufacturers have the ability to access a supply of iron and steel from facilities in Nebraska while having the competitive advantage of the county’s logistics.
Available water (Ogallala aquifer), quality soil, prime growing conditions, and a strong customer base make agri-business a leading industry. Dow Agro-Sciences, DuPont Pioneer, Central Valley Ag, Aurora Cooperative, and a host of other companies with national and international ties make York County home. Many of these agri-businesses also have research and development facilities in the county.
York County’s workforce draws from seven counties giving its businesses access to a labor pool of 210,698. The county has become a magnet for the commuting workforce with over 40 percent commuting from outside of the county to work. York is home to York College, a four-year liberal arts institution that recruits over 75 percent of their students from outside of Nebraska. Dr. Steve Eckman, York College’s President, estimates that 10 percent of the local workforce is York College alumni. In 2016, Southeast Community College will open a York Regional Learning Center focused on business and industry training. Three other colleges and four community college campuses within an hour provide additional access to graduates and training for current workforce. York County Development Corporation and York County schools collaborate on workforce initiatives.
Businesses will find that York County offers reliable and low rates for electric and natural gas. Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), is the electric supplier to York and Perennial Public Power District, who serves the rest of the county. Electric generation is a diversified mix including coal, nuclear, wind, hydro and natural gas. For the past three years, electric reliability as measured by the Average Service Availability Index has exceeded 99.9%. Perennial provides reliable electric service to seven communities and all of the rural areas in York County. Black Hills Energy is the retail supplier for natural gas services, with Kinder Morgan as the transmission provider.
York County’s logistics, skilled workforce and workforce initiatives, and existing manufacturing base provide major competitive advantages for companies located in York County. For more information, visit YorkDevCo.com. Or, contact Lisa Hurley, Executive Director at the York County Development Corporation at (402) 362-3333.
