Falls City Journal/Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Individuals who made a commitment to the Falls City area with the construction and opening of the Vision Inn, the new motel in north Falls City, were saluted last Wednesday during the annual Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise (EDGE) banquet and meeting at the Elks Club.

Earning the Investor(s) of the Year award were Jerry and Nancy McKim, Leon and Madaline Wilhelm, Allan and Mary Ann Clark, Gary and Linda Jones, Phil Bletscher, Dr. Dave and Joyce Borg, Rich and Susan Witt, Brian and Sally Palmer, Marna Stehlik and Jim and Shirley Jones.

The investors were introduced and the award presented by Kevin Malone, who noted their “very large investment in the future of Falls City and the surrounding area.  They took on a project that had been discussed as a need and economic development goal in Falls City for a great number of years and had the fortitude and willingness to take it on.”

The Vision Inn project was the first in Falls City to utilize Tax Increment Financing, which, said Malone, “shines as a great example of how this economic development tool can be a win-win for both the developer and the community.”

The two previous winners of the award were Community Medical Center and Southeast Nebraska Communications.

Mrs. Rhodd , EDGE Administrative Assistant, created a 15-minute video that highlighted EDGE’s top 10 accomplishments for 2011.  The list included the expanding role of Ag Growth International as a part of Falls City’s industrial and business community, Herzog’s multi-million dollar track expansion at its railcar repair facility in Falls City, utilization of the 2010 housing study and the start of the Wilderness Falls senior housing project, retention of all existing manufacturers and the expanding workforce, working with the city to expand incentive programs, assistance to small business development, progress in developing “shovel-ready” industrial sites, aggressive promotion of Falls City and Richardson County, and maintaining/expanding support for EDGE through efforts to inform, engage and demonstrate accountability to investors and community stakeholders.