We did it- It's OFFICIAL!
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has sent out official letters on the Nebraska Rural Projects Act and our Hershey Rail Park was APPROVED for up to $30 Million in funding!
 
This project has the potential to create upwards of 2,000 direct jobs and have an estimated total economic output of $1.8 billion on the Lincoln County economy per year once developed. There are several key projects already interested due to the rail access.
 
It has taken many years to get to this point. We have formed great partnerships for which were are extremely grateful. Thank you to our our dedicated Board of Directors, Economic Development Committee, Rail Committee, Union Pacific Railroad, Village of Hershey Board of Trustees and staff, Lincoln County Commission, City of North Platte, Quality Growth Fund Committee, former Senator Mike Groene, Senator Jacobson, utility providers, landowners Dennis Steffes and Bruce Miller, Nebraska Department of Economic Development, along with Nebraska Legislature for their outstanding cooperation and partnership. The electric wholesale and retail providers - NPPD and Dawson Public Power were also instrumental along the way.
 
Time to get to work!
 
See more news here:
NP Area Chamber Receives 30 Million Dollars in Matching Funds for Lincoln County Based Rail Park
June 23, 2022 | Huskeradio
 
Thursday morning the Nebraska Department of Economic Development informed the North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corporation that their Nebraska Rural Projects Act application was approved. According to a letter shared from Chamber President Gary Person, recipient projected that it would invest at least $7.5 million to develop the Hershey Rail Park . Based on this projection, Applicant is eligible to receive up to $30 million in matching funds from the State of Nebraska. Continue reading & listen to interview...  See also ... http://www.huskeradio.com/2022/06/28/audio-plans-for-a-lincoln-county-based-rail-park-forge-ahead/


Chamber gets $30M economic development grant for Hershey Rail Park
June 23, 2022 | KNOP-TV
 
The North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corporation is finishing NEBRASKAland Days on a high note.
The chamber announced they have received a $30 million grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to develop the Hershey Rail Park project.
The grant is part of the Nebraska Rural Project Act to provide matching funds to non-profit development organizations to build rail access business parks.
The announcement comes after the agency submitted its grant application in January. Continue reading and to watch interview ....
 
North Platte Chamber and DEVCO receives $30 million grant for Hershey Rail Park
June 23, 2022 | North Platte Post
 
The North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corporation is celebrating a big victory as it works to bring the Hershey Rail Park to reality.
The Chamber announced that they have received a $30 million grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
"The much-anticipated official letter from the State of Nebraska has arrived. The Hershey Industrial Rail Park Project received its full $30 million of grant funding," said Gary Person, CEO of the North Platte Area Chamber and DEVCO. "What a great way to top the Nebraskaland Days celebration." Continue reading...
 
Hershey industrial rail park project gets $30M from state
June 23, 2022 | North Platte Telegraph
 
Lincoln County business leaders’ three-year-plus quest to develop an industrial “rail park” now has $37.5 million worth of certainty behind it.
State officials Wednesday notified the North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corp. that it has qualified for the full $30 million in state funds available to it to help build the planned rail park outside Hershey.
It marked the final payoff of two years of efforts in the Legislature to enlist the state in at last economically exploiting the proximity of the Union Pacific Railroad’s Bailey Yard, the world’s largest railroad classification yard.
The chamber’s application proved that it met the Nebraska Rural Project Act’s required locally secured commitments of $7.5 million toward launching the rail park, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development said in a letter Wednesday. Continue reading...