Nebraska               Community "Fast Facts" Profile               Benedict, Nebraska               Date generated: 9/2/2010

LOCATION
Benedict, Nebraska (click for larger view)		Benedict is a community located 8 miles north of York, NE, just off Highway 81 and approximately 10 miles north of Interstate 80. The village is approximately 55 minutes from Lincoln, NE.

POPULATION

General: Last Census Latest Year % 2000 2009     Change Benedict ....... 278 272 -2.2% York County ....... 14,598 13,837 -5.2% Labor Market Population1 ....... 82,513 79,116 -4.1% 1) Labor market population is the county population plus the contiguous county population. Source: Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Estimates of the Population, City populations released June 2010, County populations released April 2010.

County Age Distribution (2009) : Age: 0-17 18-24 25-44 45-64 65+ 85+ Total % Split Male......... 1,623 657 1,381 1,958 1,029 139 6,648 48.0 % Female...... 1,603 709 1,504 1,969 1,404 305 7,189 52.0 % Total: 3,226 1,366 2,885 3,927 2,433 444

Median Age (2009):     State 35.8 years       County 41.6 years

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, County Population Estimates by Selected Age and Gender. Released June 2010.
State Data. U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey

LABOR

State (2009) County (2009) Area Labor Force (2009)1 Labor Force..... 995,635 7,031 44,096     Unemployment..... 33,217 365 1,913     Unemployment as % of Labor Force..... 3.3% 5.2% 4.3%     Total Employment..... 962,418 6,666 42,182     1) Area labor force and employment data are for the county plus the contiguous counties. For further information regarding underemployment in the area, please contact NPPD at (800) 282-6773. Source: Year end 2009, Nebraska DOL, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Online Data, April 2010.

Wages: Sample of hourly wage rates in manufacturing occupations (production and/or clerical). Job Title 10th Percentile Median 90th Percentile Assemblers/Fabricators, All Others $10.39 $13.61 $16.12 Data Entry Keyers $8.66 $11.30 $14.85 Laborers, Helpers & Material Movers, Hand $8.61 $11.55 $17.50 Lathe Tool Setters $8.63 $11.82 $20.92 Machinists $9.97 $16.83 $21.71 Secretaries, exc. Legal & Medical $8.57 $11.79 $16.02 Welders & Cutters $10.89 $14.63 $25.62 Welding Machine Operators $11.84 $14.47 $17.85 Source: Nebraska Workforce Development, Occupational Employment Statistics Program, First Quarter 2010.

	Percent of Manufacturing Labor Force Unionized	............	0%
	Number of Work Stoppages in Past 5 Years	............	0

Benedict is a community of approximately 278, which was incorporated in 1887. The economy in Benedict is largely agricultural, with one of the larger employers being the United Farmers Cooperative. There are a number of locally owned businesses within the municipality, including a regionally-popular restaurant, a beauty salon, a service station, an insurance agency, and a number of home-based businesses.

TRANSPORTATION Motor Carrier: Number & Type of Roads Serving Community - Federal State County INTERSTATE Hwys..... Limited Access, Four-Lane Hwys..... Improved Two-Lane Hwys..... 1 1 Hwy. Name Miles Miles to nearest Interstate hwy..... Interstate 80 10 Miles to nearest four-lane hwy..... Highway 81 8 Motor Freight Carriers:   There are more than 8,000 licensed motor freight carriers with global connections in Nebraska. These carriers can serve businesses throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Transit Time for Carload or Truckload Lots to: Destination Distance by Hwy. Miles Days by Railroad Days by Motor Freight Omaha..... 116 1-2 days 1 Day Lincoln..... 64 1-2 days 1 Day Chicago..... 580 1-3 days 1-2 days Dallas..... 602 3-4 days 2-3 days Denver..... 452 1-3 days 1-2 days Kansas City..... 254 1-3 days 1-2 days Los Angeles..... 1463 4-7 days 2-3 days Minneapolis..... 492 1-3 days 1-2 days New York..... 1354 4-7 days 3-5 days St. Louis..... 507 1-3 days 2-3 days

Benedict is located just 1/2 mile west of Highway 81 (also known as the Pan American Highway). While that stretch of Highway 81 remains two-lane, that will change in the future as the expansion of the highway continues north. Currently, the four-lane expansion is completed to York, NE (which is 8 miles south of Benedict). Construction on the next five-mile stretch is currently underway, with engineering plans being formulated for the next phase that will reach Benedict. A two-lane asphalt county road connects the village to Highway 81, and extends several miles west of the village.

Air: Distance to nearest public airport..... 10 minute(s) Elevation..... 1,620 feet Length of longest runway..... 5,900 feet Runway lighted..... Yes Private aircraft storage available..... Yes Private aircraft maintenance available..... Yes Distance to nearest commercial air transportation..... 50 minute(s) Distance to nearest international airport: Name of Airport Miles to Airport from Community Omaha Eppley International 120 Kansas City International 237 Denver International 445 The York Municipal Airport is located approximately 10 miles south of Benedict, along Highway 34, just one mile from Highway 81. Most recent improvements to the airport include the paving of the parallel taxiway and installation of the automated weather system (AWOS), which were completed in 2003. The York Airport has hangar space available for rent/storage, courtesy car services, maintenance services for aircraft, and flight instruction. Many local companies access the newly-expanded airport, with a number of corporate planes flying in each year. A number of private planes are housed at the airport, and it is used as a fueling station for a number of entities (including the Nebraska State Patrol). Fuel is sold at the York airport, both 100 LL and jet. Benedict is approximately 52 minutes from commercial airports located in Grand Island and Lincoln. The Lincoln Airport is served by Northwest and United Airlines, as well as Allegiant Air. The Central Nebraska Regional Airport at Grand Island is served by US Airways Express. Barge: Rail: Community Served by Railroad..... Yes Distance to Nearest Railroad..... 0 mile(s) Number of Freight Trains Per Day..... 0-1 The railroad within Benedict's village limits is a branch line of the BNSF Railway Company. It is used by the local farmers cooperative to load dry fertilizer and corn. UTILITIES Electricity:  State Electric Power Deregulated.....   No Electric System Operator: Perennial Public Power District   phone - (800) 289-0288   website - www.perennialpower.com   email - perennial@mainstaycomm.net Wholesale Supplier: Perennial Public Power District Additional Comments: A 34,500/12,500 volt substation provides service to Benedict, with a 10,500 kVA capacity. The distribution voltage within Benedict is 12.5/7.2kV wye. All industry standard voltages can be provided by Perennial Public Power District. The electric distribution system within Benedict has ample capacity to provide service to a growing community. Natural Gas: Natural Gas Service Available..... Yes Supplier in Community..... Kinder Morgan Water: Provider..... Village of Benedict Major Source..... Deep well If Wells, Average Depth..... 300 feet Storage Capacity..... 75,000 gallons Temperature Range..... 50-54 (degrees Fahrenheit) The Village of Benedict recently completed a renovation of their water system, digging a new municipal well, installing new water mains and erecting a new storage tower. These renovations greatly improved the water capacity and quality for the entire village. The new system is designed to pump 500 gallons per minute. Sanitation/Waste Water: Name of Provider..... Village of Benedict Type of Service..... Lagoon Sewer Connection Fee..... Yes Sewer connection fees are relatively low ($25). Telecommunications: Name of Local Service Provider..... Alltel TAX STRUCTURE Actual Valuation of City: $6,674,853 (year 2006) Real Property Tax Rates ($ per $100 of actual value): For Year: 2006 City....... $0.4427100 County....... $0.3387000 School....... $1.3160090 Other....... $0.1807130 Total Real Property....... $2.2781320 Bond Indebtedness: For Year: 2006 General Obligation......... $40,000.00 School......... $14,900,000.00 The Village of Benedict took out an $80,000 bond in 1997, which will be in effect until 2012, to be used toward water improvements. The 2003-2004-2005 Water Project total cost was $805,000. Of this, $250,000 was financed by a CDBG Grant, $100,000 by a SRF Loan Forgiveness, and $455,000 by a 30 Year SRF Loan. This project had three parts, an elevated 75,000 Water Tower, a Well, and Water Mains/Line improvements. MUNICIPAL SERVICES Type of Government..... Village Comprehensive City Plan..... Yes, 1992 (year) City Manager..... No City Engineer..... Yes City Zoning Ordinance in Effect..... Yes County Zoning Ordinance in Effect..... Yes Garbage Service Provider..... Private Public Library in City..... No Number Full-Time Fire Department Personnel..... 0 Number Volunteer Fire Department Personnel..... 19 Number Full-Time Police Officers..... 0 The Benedict Village Board members are elected at large and serve four-year terms. The volunteer fire department provides protection for areas outside the community limits. Regarding law enforcement, Benedict is served by the York County Sheriff's Department, which has 8 sworn officers and 12 support personnel. Regular patrol is provided by the county department, which has six marked cruisers, a variety of communications equipment, and all the standard enforcement equipment required by the state. The Nebraska State Patrol Troop C, headquartered in Grand Island, NE, also provides service for the Benedict area. EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES   Public Schools # of Schools Enrollment Teacher/Student Ratio Middle / Jr. High 1 115 1:8 On November 17, 2008 the new Cross County School opened which serves students from the Benedict, Polk & Stromsburg areas. The new address is 1270 123rd Road, Stromsburg NE which now holds all students preschool through 12th grade. They also offer before school & after school daycare. This new building is about 4 miles north of Benedict on Highway 81 and about 4 miles south of Stromsburg on Highway 81. It also offers a walking track indoors to the public during open hours. More than 80% of Cross County students take the ACT with an average score of 21.4. Seventy-five percent of graduating seniors attend college upon graduation, while the remaining twenty-five percent move directly into the workforce. Opportunities for higher education and continuing education in the county are available at York College, a 4-year private liberal arts college located in the city of York. Other colleges and universities within a 60-mile radius include: Central Community College, Concordia University, Doane College, Hastings College, Southeast Community College and the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. RECREATIONAL FACILITIES   Type of facilities in city or within 30 minutes: Public Golf Course(s)..... 3 Public Tennis Court(s)..... 13 Public Swimming Pool(s)..... 2 Public Park(s)..... 10 Public Camp Ground(s)..... 2 Nearest Public Access to Lake or River..... 12 mile(s) Camping..... Yes Swimming..... Yes Fishing..... Yes The community of Benedict holds "Benedict Days" celebration each year in August. Events often include garage sales, a craft show, water games for kids, carnival games, a hamburger fry, street dance, and more. The community also holds an annual firemen's barbecue, usually scheduled in Janaury. Improvements continue at the Benedict Community Center, which can be rented for parties, wedding receptions, meetings, family or church gatherings, community events and more. The park facilities in Benedict have improved over the past few years, as new, modern play equipment has been installed and great strides have been taken to beautify the entire area. A number of activities are held at the downtown park throughout the year, including the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Golfers will be able to satisfy their needs with courses in York, Henderson, and Waco. There are also a number of recreational activities that are within 10 minutes, in York - rollerskating rink, bowling alley, movie theater, walking trails, Recharge Lake (for picnicing and fishing), tennis courts, an outdoor aquatic center, an indoor swimming pool, the York County museum, a number of ballparks, and a large soccer complex. HEALTH FACILITIES Number of Hospitals in Community..... 0 Number of Beds in Hospital(s)..... 0 Number of Outpatient Clinics..... 0 Medical Personnel in or Serving Community: Medical Doctor(s) / Physician Assistant(s)..... 0 Dentist(s) / Orthodontist(s)..... 0 Nurse(s) (registered or practical)..... 0 Veterinarian(s)..... 0 Medical facilities are in close proximity to Benedict, as York General Health Care Services are located eight miles away. York General Health Care Services provides a continuum of health care services designed to meet the needs of York area residents. York General Hospital is a 25-bed facility providing surgical services, obstetrics, emergency services, pulmonary services, oncology, cardiac rehab, radiology lab and other diagnostic services, “swing beds,” and rehabilitation services. In addition to the local staff, a general surgeon, family practice physicians, physician assistants, and 30 to 40 specialty physicians from the area provide service through the York General Specialty Clinic and York General Hospital. York General Medical Clinic and York General Wellness Center are located adjacent to the hospital. York General West View Medical Building houses York General Dialysis Services, York General Home Health Care, York General Child Care, and serves as the location for the sleep studies performed by the Pulmonary Services Department of York General Hospital. York General Assisted Living and York General Hearthstone provide living options for those in need of assistance or complete care in their living arrangements. http://www.yorkgeneral.org COMMERCIAL SERVICES Type of Newspaper in City....... daily Local Radio Station(s)....... 2 Number of TV Channels Received without Cable....... 3 Cable Antenna Television Serves City....... No Number of Motels & Hotels in Community....... 0 Total Number of Rooms Available....... 0 Number of Banks in City....... 1 Chamber of Commerce....... No Chamber Executive is Full-Time....... No The Benedict community benefits from a six-day daily newspaper, the News-Times, which is located in York. The community also publishes a monthly newsletter. There are also two radio stations in close proximity to Benedict, which are KAWL (AM) and KTMX (FM). The Benedict Community Association promotes activities for the benefit of the youth and community. While there is no chamber of commerce within the community itself, it is served through its membership with the York County Development Corporation (located in York). LOCAL MANUFACTURING CHARACTERISTICS Number of Manufacturing Plants in Community..... 0 Number of Manufacturing Plants with Unions..... 0 LARGEST EMPLOYERS Leading Employers in Community: #1. Business Name: PK's Service Sector: Services Employment Number: Total: 15   (Male: 9   Female: 1) Year Established: 2000 Unions: No Products/Service: Restaurant   #2. Business Name: Cross County School Service Sector: Government Year Established: 2008 Unions: No Products/Service: Education   #3. Business Name: United Farmers Cooperative Service Sector: Trade Employment Number: Total: 10   (Male: 9   Female: 1) Year Established: 1902 Unions: No Products/Service: Grain elevator, agronomy, fertilizer sales and application, service station, propane sales   INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS COMMUNITY NOTES Our Community: Benedict is a thriving town filled with ambitious and loyal people whose families continue to live in the Benedict community generation after generation, while encouraging others to join them in the place they call home. This village of 278 was in part founded by William and Laura (Dickey) Jeffery, early settlers who became some of the county's more successful farmers and stockmen. The Benedict economy is largely agricultural, with a number of locally owned businesses. Suggested Sites: York County Development Corporation @ www.comegrowwithyork.org York County Visitors Bureau @ www.yorkvisitors.org   Local Development Contact: Kelly Brooke Village of Benedict PO Box 116 Benedict, NE 68316 Phone:(402) 732-6801 Email: vb15419@alltel.net   York County Development Corporation 224 West 6th Street York, NE 68467-2903 Phone:(402) 362-3333 Fax:402-362-3344 Email: info@yorkdevco.com Website: www.comegrowwithyork.org   State Contacts: Richard Baier, Director Neb. Dept. of Economic Development PO Box 94666 301 Centennial Mall South Lincoln, NE 68509 Phone: (402) 471-3111 or (800) 426-6505 Fax: (402) 471-3778 Email: richard.baier@nebraska.gov Website: www.NebraskaAdvantage.org   Economic Development Team Nebraska Public Power District PO Box 499 1414 15th Street Columbus, NE 68601 Phone: (402) 563-5534 or (800) 282-6773, ext. 5534 Fax: (402) 563-5090 Email: econdev@nppd.com Website: sites.nppd.com Fast Facts Community Profiles sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Nebraska Public Power District. Copyright © 2001-2010 Nebraska Public Power District (sites.nppd.com). All rights reserved.