Circle C Market has Groundbreaking & Community Meeting

On Monday, April 23, 2012, citizens around the Cody, NE area joined the teachers and students from Cody-Kilgore Schools for a groundbreaking ceremony of the Cody Grocery Store Project.  This project has been in the works for 3-4 years Mrs. Adamson stated.  When this idea to start a grocery store for a chance to teach the students Entrepreneurship and to fill a need in the community came about, they only had 10 days to apply for a grant.  So with some help from the Center for Rural Affairs the grant application made it in on time.  

Since receiving the grant they have had many bumps along the way.  One was a location.  The have finally got a lease negotiated with the Nebraska Game & Parks to do a 99 year lease on a piece of ground north of Highway 20.  

The Village of Cody received a $75,000 grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act along with an additional $95,000 in funding. The facility will be constructed of straw bales.  They received a local donation of 700 straw bales by Jerry Fullerton.  The students helped put up the straw bales and put them in storage until ready to use. 

This project was to help students understand Entrepreneurship and to one day have them relocate back to the Cody area after college.  This would give them the knowledge to start their own business.  They learned how to do inventory and marketing by running a concession stand at school functions. Lindsey Adamson said, "It is not just a grocery store to fill the community but a learning experience.  And learning they did through the writing of a Business Plan, to holding fundraisers, and trying to figure out how they could make a profit at this business.  They have also learned public speaking and confidence. 

They created a board to handle the finances.  They created a Steering Committee of students to help in the planning phases.  One of the projects was handled by members of the Steering Committee when they approached USDA to help with the start up power for the building.  This was a value of $1600. 

The store but could possibly create up to 15 jobs which one will be a full time Manager position.

They have had lots of volunteers help through this planning phase including a lawyer and an accountant.  They are always looking for volunteers.  If you would like to help in putting up the building, contact John Johnson to get signed up.    A big thank you goes out to all the community members and Mrs. Fullerton for helping to make this happen.

Local Cable Channels

Recently in the community is a buzz about Local cable channels.  Three River Digital is our local provider for cable television.  They have been informed that our local channels we currently receive would go away.  Valentine is out of the area and local channels would have to go through Sioux Falls.  In attempts to get Nebraska channels from areas such as Scottsbluff or Kearney, they have hit road blocks.  There is a petition that you can sign asking the FCC to redefine the areas

According to the STELA act of 2010 these "orphan counties" can be serviced via satellite for "in-state locals". These counties get local channels from either Denver Colorado, South Dakota, Kansas or Eastern Nebraska and get little or no commercial, sports, weather, or news benefit from these markets.

http://www.change.org/petitions/nebraska-locals-for-nebraska-residents#

If you have an opinion on this matter - voice your opinion on the petition.

Homebuyer's Education Workshop

NEWS RELEASE

Date:   March 19, 2012                                                               Contact:  Melissa Krysl (402) 340-6464

                                                                                   

Homebuyer Education Workshop Scheduled For Valentine in April

For families dreaming of owning their own home, but uncertain about how to make that dream a reality, the Central Nebraska Housing Developers (CNHD) will conduct a REACH-Approved Homebuyer Educational workshop in Valentine in April.  This workshop will be held at the Mid-Plains Community College Valentine Extended Campus at 113 N. Hall on April 12 & 19, from 6-10 p.m. both evenings.  Participants are required to attend both evenings to receive a certificate of completion.

This Homebuyer Education Workshop, designed to take the uncertainty out of the homebuying process, will take families step by step, from deciding whether homeownership is right for them, to shopping for a house that meets their needs, obtaining a home mortgage, closing the sale, maintaining the house after it’s theirs, and successfully handling their mortgage obligation.

The cost of the workshop is $25 per household, which covers books and materials.  Pre-registration is required.

CNHD has a down payment assistance program, and participation in a REACH-certified workshop is a requirement for applying for these funds or other down payment assistance, as well as to qualify for low-interest mortgage loans.  To participate in these special programs, all persons to be listed on the property deed must complete Homebuyer Education.

“This is an exciting program that offers families the opportunity to realize their dream of owning their own home.  Homeownership provides stability to families and communities, and fosters economic development in the region,” reports Melissa Krysl, Marketing Specialist for Central Nebraska Housing Developers.

REACH (Readiness-Education-Awareness Collaborative for Homebuyers and Homeowners) was established in 1997 to remove the barriers to homeownership through a statewide education delivery system, enhancing the success of homebuyers in achieving and maintaining homeownership.  Nearly 60 percent of households become homebuyers within one year of completing a homebuyer education program delivered by a certified REACH Affiliate.

To sign up for this workshop, or to inquire about future workshops, please contact Melissa Krysl, Marketing Specialist, at 402-340-6464 or via e-mail melissa@cnhdhome.org, or visit the CNHD website for housing information, at http://www.cnhdhome.org.