City of O'Neill
401 E. Fremont
O'Neill, NE 68763
402-336-3640
Holt County Economic Development
The City of O’Neill is a partner in the Holt County Economic Development effort. HCED has been established through an inter-local agreement and is a partnership of all municipalities to enhance and promote economic vitality and a strong sense of community for existing and future businesses in Holt County. For more information on HCED or to start up or relocate a business in O’Neill, please contact Holt County Economic Development Director Nicole Sedlacek at 402-336-1504 or nicole@holtcountynebraska.com. Please visit HCED’s website and witness all of the exciting activity in Holt County.
Economic Development Corporation
The O'Neill Economic Development Corporation works with the City of O’Neill and the Holt County Economic Development Department in assisting existing businesses and industry as well as the recruitment of new business to our community. For more information contact Pat Fritz at 402-336-2355 or oneill@telebeep.com.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOCAL INCENTIVES
CDBG Funds
The City of O'Neill has teamed area businesses with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to obtain Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and loan funds. For more information on how this program may work for you please call 402-336-3640.
Current CDBG projects:
Economic Development Re-Use Funds
The City of O'Neill will consider applications for loans that will create or retain jobs which will benefit low to moderate income persons and/or for the purpose of guarantying loans for those purposes. Re-Use Fund Objectives:
1. Provide financing for start-up and existing businesses that cannot obtain sufficient conventional financing or to attract new businesses to the community.
2. To create and retain jobs principally for low-moderate income persons.
3. To diversify the local economy by assisting businesses which are not presently in the community.
4. To encourage the redevelopment and rehabilitation of buildings and land, to include vacant, blighted and substandard areas.
5. To promote entrepreneurship and new business development.
6. To provide necessary public infrastructure to businesses.
Current Re-Use Loans:
10-ED-03 This project consists of an expansion to a current business in a new location. Loan amount - 12,000
10-ED-04 This project consists of a new business to be located in an existing commercial building. This building will be used for a cafe. The new business will create one full time and two part time jobs. Loan amount - 12,600
10-ED-05 This project consists of purchasing new equipment for an existing business. Loan amount- 12,643
11-ED-01 This project consists of updating heating and air units in an existing business. Loan amount - 15,910
11-ED-02 This project consists of a new business to be located in an existing commercial buuilding. This building will be used for a hair salon and spa services. Loan amount - 8,000
10-ED-03 - This project consists of the purchase of equipment and inventory for a daycare and preschool facility. The expansion of this business will add four full time jobs. Loan amount - $12,000.
10-ED-03 - This project consists of the purchase of equipment and machinery for a cafe and game room. Loan amount - $12,600.
10-ED-04 - This project consists of the purchase of equipment and machinery for a medical facility. This new business will create on full time job and several part time jobs. Loan amount - $12,643.
08-ED-01 – This project consists of rehabilitation of a commercial building to accommodate commercial business activity. Loan amount - $40,000.00.
08-ED-02 – This project consists of the purchase of equipment and inventory for a new commercial business. Loan amount - $22,000.00.
08-ED-03 – This project consists of the purchase of equipment for an existing commercial business. This existing business will create an additional full time job. Loan amount - $40,000.00.
08-ED-05 – This project consists of a new business to be located in an existing commercial building. The building will be used for a tire store, vehicle servicing, auto repair and small engine repair. The new business will create two full time jobs. Loan amount - $20,000.00.
08-ED-06 – This project consists of a new business to be located in an existing commercial building. The building will be renovated to accommodate a full service menu of barbeque food items. The new business will create four full time jobs. Loan amount - $10,000.00.
09-ED-01 – This project consists of the purchase of equipment and inventory for a new commercial business. Loan amount - $10,000.00.
09-ED-02 – This project consists of the purchase of equipment for a new commercial business. Loan amount - $3,500.00.
10-ED-01 - This project consists of the expansion of a business into O'Neill. Loan amount - $14,272.
10-ED-02 - This project consists of the purchase of equipment and advertising. Loan amount - $13,500.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
The City of O'Neill has the ability to use TIF to assist new or expanding businesses. TIF is the use of newly created property tax dollars on improvements. It is the use of new tax dollars that would not exist without the project. TIF can only be used in areas that have been designated as blighted and substandard.
Current TIF projects:
Adamson Distributing - Rehabilitation to the real estate by adding a 7,200 square foot addition to the existing distribution/warehouse facility on the real estate.
Evergreen Assisted Living Facility - Rehabilitation of real estate for use as an assisted living facility for the elderly.
Holiday Inn Express - Change in current land use by acquisition and demolition of existing motel due to obsolescence and condition of the premises. New structure will include meeting rooms and an indoor pool.
Church Street Area Redevelopment Plan - The project entails the engineering, easement acquisition, installation and financing by the City of O'Neill of paving, curb, gutter and storm sewer in the Church Street addition.
21st Century Growers Hydroponics - Facility - Rehabilitation of real estate for constructing a ten acre hydroponic green house.
Bank First – Facility – Rehabilitation of real estate for constructing a full service banking facility.
M.J. Kersenbrock D.D.S – Demolition and removal of existing building, demolition of concrete structures and site preparation, site acquisition, installation of utilities and new construction of a dental facility.
For available development sites see following real estate links:
Earley Real Estate
O’NEILL Economic Development Accomplishments 2000-2009
Business Recruitment and Development:
2000 – R&D Manufacturing
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13 FTE’s and 1 PT
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Annual payroll of $250,000
2000 - The Evergreen Assisted Living
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13 FTE’s and 8 PT and 4 on-call employees
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Annual payroll of $349,731
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$216,487 approved in Tax Increment Financing
2000 – Holiday Inn Express
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6 FTE’s and 10 PT
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Annual payroll of $151,270
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$271,604 approved in Tax Increment Financing
2004 – Holt County 21st Century Growers LLC
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48 FTE’s and 6 PT
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Annual payroll of $1,241,840
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$4,114,000 in sales annually
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$500,000 approved in Tax Increment Financing
2005 - Bank First
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6 FTE’s and 1 PT
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Annual payroll of $295,900
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$230,000 approved in Tax Increment Financing
Business Expansion:
2000 - Adamson Distributing
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Tax Increment Financing assisted Adamson Distributing in the expansion of the current facility with a 7,200 square feet addition and 1 FT position
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$17,117 approved in Tax Increment Financing
2009 – MJ Kersenbrock DDS
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Tax Increment Financing to assist with demolition and removal of an existing building, demolition of concrete structures, site preparation, site acquisition and the installation of utilities.
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$151,800 approved in Tax Increment Financing
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5 FTE’s
CDBG or Re-Use Loans:
2 Loans totaling $431,900
CDBG Loans Loan Amount
2000 Nebraska Rubber Innovations, Inc. $241,900
2000 R&D Manufacturing $190,000
Re-Use Loans: See loans listed above.
Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) Loans
2002-2009 - REAP loans in O'Neill totaling $606,500
Increase in Retail Sales
2001-2005 - Retail sales increased in O’Neill by 7.5%.
Grants Received
2000 – Finalization of down payment assistance CDBG in the amount of $175,000 for first time homebuyers; 12 individuals and families served.
2001 – Planning CDBG in the amount of $24,600 to complete a comprehensive plan, economic development strategic plan as well as a city-wide blight study.
2003 – Down payment assistance CDBG in the amount of $200,000 for first time homebuyers; 16 individuals and families served.
2004 – Pinnacle Bank challenge grant to the O’Neill Community Foundation in the amount of $25,000 to grow an endowment fund. The Foundation will receive an additional $25,000 if endowment reaches $500,000.
2005 – O’Neill Home Town Competitiveness awarded $75,000 Kellogg Grant.
2005 – Economic Development CDBG in the amount of $130,000 for Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP). The City of O’Neill is administrative agent with REAP staff implementing business training, lending and servicing under a sub recipient agreement.
2007 – Safe Routes to School Grant in the amount of $93,538 for installation of approximately 3,000 feet of sidewalk on the north side of Hynes Avenue, from 10th Street to Highway 281.
2007 – Peter Kiewitt Foundation Grant in the amount of $24,000 to help offset the cost of purchasing the historic lights for downtown O’Neill.
2007 - Economic Development CDBG in the amount of $105,000 for Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP). The City of O’Neill is administrative agent with REAP staff implementing business training, lending and servicing under a sub recipient agreement.
2009 - Economic Development CDBG in the amount of $52,500 for Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP). The City of O’Neill is administrative agent with REAP staff implementing business training, lending and servicing under a sub recipient agreement.
2009 – Peter Kiewitt Foundation Grant to the O’Neill Community Foundation in the amount of $20,000 for emergency relief grant fund to help meet essential human needs, especially during these harsh winter months.
2010 - Peter Kiewitt Foundation Grant to the O’Neill Community Foundation in the amount of $20,000 for emergency relief grant fund to help meet essential human needs, especially during these harsh winter months.
Hometown Competitiveness Program
Entrepreneurship
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EDGE Class in 2005 – 13 businesses participated – 7 from O’Neill
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EDGE Class in 2006 - 6 businesses participated – 2 from O’Neill
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Completion of 19 business visitations with the Center of Rural Entrepreneurship
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Business Plan Class in 2007
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Hosted Business Transition Seminar in 2007
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Quick Book Classes co-sponsored with REAP – 10 O’Neill businesses participated
Youth
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2005 – Stayin’ Alive with Community Pride Rally with guest speaker Congressman Tom Osborne
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2006 – Youth representative Bergan Carr graduates from the Holt County Leadership Institute
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2006 – Youth representative Heath Lichty was appointed as youth liaison to the City of O’Neill Park Board
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2006 – Youth representatives Avery Schneider and Emily Sallach were appointed as youth liaisons to the Chamber of Commerce Board
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2008 - Youth representatives Avery Schneider and Shianne Coventry graduate from the Holt County Leadership Institute
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2008 – Youth Philanthrophy Award given to Bergan Carr and Emily Sallach by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Nebraska Chapter
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2008 – Emily Sallach and Bergan Carr were appointed to serve on the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council.
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2009 – Youth representative Emily Sallach graduates from the Holt County Leadership Institute.
Leadership
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2005 – Atkinson/Stuart Leadership Institute with 24 graduates- 2 O’Neill participants
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2006 – Atkinson/Stuart/O’Neill Leadership Institute with 23 graduates - 8 O’Neill participants
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2006 – First O’Neill Community Fair held at the National Guard Armory
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2006 – “Welcome to O’Neill” program begins with welcome bags being presented to new individuals and families to O’Neill
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2007 - Atkinson/Stuart/O’Neill Leadership Institute with 14 graduates - 4 O’Neill participants
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2008 - Atkinson/Stuart/O’Neill Leadership Institute with 16 graduates - 5 O’Neill participants
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2009 - Atkinson/Stuart/O’Neill Leadership Institute with 14 graduates - 2 O’Neill participants
Charitable Assets
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2005 – O’Neill Community Foundation Builder’s Club established – 59 members with funds totaling $61,000
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2005 – 2009 – O’Neill Community Foundation has awarded $33,400 in grants to local organizations
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2009 – O’Neill Community Foundation Builder’s Club – 83 members with an endowment of $228,000
Awards
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2005 – NCIP Award for Volunteer & Leadership Development
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2005 – Nebraska Community Foundation Strategic Grant-Making Award
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2007 – NCIP Award for Orthopedic Physician/Recruitment for Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital