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

LOCATION
Grand Island, Nebraska (click for larger view)		Grand Island, Nebraska's third largest stand alone city, is located in Nebraska's Central Region only 100 miles west of Lincoln, Nebraska's State Capital and 25 miles north of the City of Hastings and 50 miles east of the City of Kearney. Grand Island is bounded by the Platte River to the south and the Loup River to the north. The community serves residents in much of rural Nebraska including an area of over 20,000 square miles with an estimated population of over 200,000. More than 80 manufacturing plants provide jobs for over 7,000 people, drawing from a rural population base of talented and diverse workers. Grand Island is connected to four major highways. Interstate 80, Highway 34, Highway 281, and Highway 2. Rail service is being provided by Burlington Northern and Union Pacific.

POPULATION

General: Last Census Latest Year % 2000 2009     Change Grand Island ....... 42,940 46,861 9.1% Hall County ....... 53,534 57,487 7.4% Labor Market Population1 ....... 168,357 175,560 4.3% 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......... 8,342 2,583 7,301 7,076 3,420 381 28,722 50.0 % Female...... 7,947 2,382 6,872 7,159 4,405 887 28,765 50.0 % Total: 16,289 4,965 14,173 14,235 7,825 1,268

Median Age (2009):     State 35.8 years       County 35.5 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 31,228 99,078     Unemployment..... 33,217 1,387 4,168     Unemployment as % of Labor Force..... 3.3% 4.4% 4.2%     Total Employment..... 962,418 29,841 94,909     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 $8.15 $10.96 $15.75 Laborers, Helpers & Material Movers, Hand $7.49 $11.00 $15.90 Lathe Tool Setters $8.53 $10.47 $12.67 Machinists $10.89 $15.47 $19.70 Secretaries, exc. Legal & Medical $7.77 $11.46 $15.98 Welders & Cutters $11.36 $15.08 $21.87 Welding Machine Operators $12.39 $16.17 $18.92 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

Grand Island's top private industry is trade, transportaiton, and utilites with manufacturing second. The labor force continues to grow in Grand Island with a change of 8.5% between 2000 and 2008, above the statewide growth of 4.8%.

TRANSPORTATION Motor Carrier: Number & Type of Roads Serving Community - Federal State County INTERSTATE Hwys..... 1 Limited Access, Four-Lane Hwys..... 1 0 0 Improved Two-Lane Hwys..... 2 1 17 Hwy. Name Miles Miles to nearest Interstate hwy..... Interstate 80 1 Miles to nearest four-lane hwy..... U.S. Highway 281 1 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..... 153 1-2 days 1 Day Lincoln..... 100 1-2 days 1 Day Chicago..... 617 1-3 days 1-2 days Dallas..... 638 3-4 days 2-3 days Denver..... 407 1-3 days 1-2 days Kansas City..... 291 1-3 days 1-2 days Los Angeles..... 1418 4-7 days 2-3 days Minneapolis..... 528 1-3 days 1-2 days New York..... 1391 4-7 days 3-5 days St. Louis..... 543 1-3 days 2-3 days

Grand Island, located in the center of the U.S. on the routes of major transcontinental carriers, is the hub of an area surrounded by all the major inland transportation gateways, which afford direct service to either coast, to the Gulf and to Canada. Direct, daily service and all transportation and traffic needs are available via a choice of reliable motor carriers from Grand Island.

Air: Distance to nearest public airport..... 1 minute(s) Elevation..... 1,846 feet Length of longest runway..... 7,200 feet Runway lighted..... Yes Private aircraft storage available..... Yes Private aircraft maintenance available..... Yes Distance to nearest commercial air transportation..... 1 minute(s) Distance to nearest international airport: Name of Airport Miles to Airport from Community Omaha Eppley International 157 Kansas City International 274 Denver International 400 919999 Barge: Rail: Community Served by Railroad..... Yes Distance to Nearest Railroad..... 1 mile(s) Number of Freight Trains Per Day..... 100+ Functional Piggyback Ramp Available..... Yes Distance to Nearest Piggyback Service..... 147 mile(s) Name of Railroad(s) Serving Community: Union Pacific Railroad Burlington Northern - Santa Fe UTILITIES Electricity:  State Electric Power Deregulated.....   No Electric System Operator: City of Grand Island Wholesale Supplier: City of Grand Island Additional Comments: Please visit City of Grand Island's website, www.grand-island.com for electric utility rates, rate incentives, and waiver of demand charges. Natural Gas: Natural Gas Service Available..... Yes Supplier in Community..... NorthWestern Energy Distributor is NorthWestern Energy. Water: Provider..... City of Grand Island Major Source..... Wells If Wells, Average Depth..... 120 feet Rated Capacity..... 43.800 mgd Average Capacity..... 12.900 mgd Peak Demand..... 26.300 mgd Storage Capacity..... 9,700,000 gallons Hardness..... 255 ppm Treated..... Yes Temperature Range..... 40-60 (degrees Fahrenheit) Clorinated treated only. Please visit City of Grand Island's website, www.grand-island.com for current fee structure. Sanitation/Waste Water: Name of Provider..... City of Grand Island Type of Service..... Biological Nutrient Removal System (Single Sludge) Waste Water Treatment Plant Rated Capacity..... 37.000 (mgd) Average Daily Demand..... 12.000 (mgd) Peak Demand..... 17.000 (mgd) Sewer Connection Fee..... No A charge of $30 for a sewer permit. For more informaiton you may access the City of Grand Island web site, www.grand-island.com Telecommunications: Name of Local Service Provider..... AllTel, AT&T, Qwest or Viero Number of Long Distance Service Providers..... 6 Telecommunication Companies: Qwest, AT&T, Windstream, Nebraska Technology & Telecommunications, McLeodUSA,Business Telecommunication Systems, Intellicom. TAX STRUCTURE Actual Valuation of City: $255,427 (year 2009) Real Property Tax Rates ($ per $100 of actual value): For Year: 2009 City....... $0.2500000 County....... $0.4209370 School....... $1.2611320 Other....... $0.6222010 Total Real Property....... $2.5542700 Bond Indebtedness: For Year: 2007 General Obligation......... $37,816.15 Revenue......... $1,326,300.00

MUNICIPAL SERVICES

Type of Government..... Mayor/City Council Comprehensive City Plan..... Yes, 2002 (year) City Manager..... Yes City Engineer..... Yes City Zoning Ordinance in Effect..... Yes County Zoning Ordinance in Effect..... Yes Garbage Service Provider..... Private Public Library in City..... Yes Percent of Streets Paved..... 98 % Number Full-Time Fire Department Personnel..... 74 Number Volunteer Fire Department Personnel..... 70 Number Full-Time Police Officers..... 86 Inside City Outside City Fire Insurance Class..... 3 8A

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
Public Schools	# of Schools	Enrollment	Teacher/Student Ratio
Elementary	14	4,027	1:21
Middle / Jr. High	3	1,790	1:11
Senior High	2	2,377	1:11
Trade & Tech Schools	1	630
Community College	1	27,000
Four-Year College	0
University	0
Private Schools	# of Schools	Enrollment	Teacher/Student Ratio
Elementary	4	127	1:15
Middle / Jr. High	1	248	1:17
Senior High	2	265	1:11
Colleges	0

Central Community College total enrollment figures are full-time students only. Part-time enrollment is 6,400 which includes any students taking credit courses. College Park is a distance learning center for the University of Nebraska which encompasses the 3 Universities and Central Community College.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Type of facilities in city or within 30 minutes:
Public Golf Course(s)..... 3 Private Golf Course(s)..... 1 Public Tennis Court(s)..... 18 Public Swimming Pool(s)..... 3 Public Park(s)..... 32 Public Camp Ground(s)..... 3
Nearest Public Access to Lake or River.....	4 mile(s)
Camping..... No Swimming..... Yes Fishing..... Yes Motorized Boats..... No Water Skiing/Tubing..... No

2 minature golf courses; 19 lighted ball diamonds; 2 bowling alleys; 1 senior center; 1 bumper boat; 1 go-cart track; 3 racquetball courts; 4 sand volleyball courts; 1 skating rink; 1 auto raceway (3/8 mile dirt oval); 1 skeet range; 1 video arcade; 2 radio controlled clubs; YMCA and YWCA; 7 indoor screen theatres; 1 children's amphitheater; 1 community little theater; community arts program; museum; water park; casino (keno); thoroughbred horse racing; multi-purpose community facility; and a nature center.

HOUSING

Number of Single Units Built in Last 2 Years..... 330 Number of Multiple Units Built in Last 2 Years..... 8 Average Cost Per Square Foot of Single Units Built in Last 2 Years..... $115 Average Monthly Rental - 3 Bedroom House..... $700 Average Monthly Rental - 2 Bedroom Apartment..... $450 Average Cost of Houses Sold (last 2 years)..... $119,400

For the year 2009, construction of new residential has already surpassed what was constructed in 2008. Valuation increase in last 2 years was $23,473,098. Median gross 2 bedroom apartment is between $350-$450. Percent of home ownership is 67%.

HEALTH FACILITIES
	Number of Hospitals in Community..... 1 Number of Beds in Hospital(s)..... 189 Number of Outpatient Clinics..... 4
	Medical Personnel in or Serving Community:
	Medical Doctor(s) / Physician Assistant(s)..... 83 Dentist(s) / Orthodontist(s)..... 37 Nurse(s) (registered or practical)..... 337 Veterinarian(s)..... 17

Saint Francis Medical Center recently completed a $60 million expansion by construction a nine story patient tower. The renovation of the former patient rooms continues to allow additional services. The Grand Island Veterans Affairs, NE-Western Iowa Health Care Systems is an outpatient and nursing home (federal)facility. The Grand Island Veterans Home (state) is a nursing home.

COMMERCIAL SERVICES
	Machine Shops in City.......	20
	Tool & Die Services in City.......	4
	Electric Motor Repair Services in City.......	3
	Type of Newspaper in City.......	daily
	Local Radio Station(s).......	8
	Number of TV Channels Received without Cable.......	6
	Cable Antenna Television Serves City.......	Yes
	Maximum Number of Cable Channels Received.......	181
	Number of Protestant Churches.......	52
	Number of Catholic Churches.......	4
	Number of Synagogues.......	0
	Number of Motels & Hotels in Community.......	29
	Total Number of Rooms Available.......	2,005
	Number of Banks in City.......	14		Assets:	$1,177,000,000
	Number of Savings & Loan Firms.......	2
	Chamber of Commerce.......	Yes
	Chamber Executive is Full-Time.......	Yes

Assets from a number of the banks are statewide.

LOCAL MANUFACTURING CHARACTERISTICS

Number of Manufacturing Plants in Community..... 80 Number of Manufacturing Plants with Unions..... 1 Number of Manufacturing Employees..... 7,134

Others: Grand Island Veterans Home, 400; Bosselman Inc. (GI Location) 300.

LARGEST EMPLOYERS

Leading Employers in Community:
#1.	Business Name:	Swift & Company
	Service Sector:	Manufacturing
	Employment Number:	Total: 2,590
	Year Established:	1979
	Unions:	Yes
	Products/Service:	Beef, beef byproducts, fabricated boxed beef
#2.	Business Name:	Chief Industries
	Service Sector:	Manufacturing
	Employment Number:	Total: 1,651
	Year Established:	1958
	Unions:	No
	Products/Service:	Grain bins, steel bldng, factory-built homes, sewage treatment systems, etc.
#3.	Business Name:	CASE IH
	Service Sector:	Manufacturing
	Employment Number:	Total: 1,100
	Year Established:	1965
	Unions:	No
	Products/Service:	fORAGE HARVESTERS, WINDROWERS, BALE WAGONS, LEAF LOADERS
#4.	Business Name:	McCAIN FOODS USE
	Service Sector:	Manufacturing
	Employment Number:	Total: 546
	Year Established:	1962
	Unions:	No
	Products/Service:	Process coated vegetables, chees, and fruit
#5.	Business Name:	Overhead Door Corp.
	Service Sector:	Manufacturing
	Employment Number:	Total: 305
	Year Established:	1983
	Unions:	No
	Products/Service:	Garage doors and distribution
#6.	Business Name:	Hornady Manufacturing
	Service Sector:	Manufacturing
	Employment Number:	Total: 350
	Year Established:	1953
	Products/Service:	rifle & pistol bullets, small arms ammunition
#7.	Business Name:	Chief Automotive Systems, Inc.
	Service Sector:	Manufacturing
	Employment Number:	Total: 111
	Unions:	No
	Products/Service:	Auto/truck body repair
#8.	Business Name:	MFS/York/Stormor
	Service Sector:	Manufacturing
	Employment Number:	Total: 300
	Unions:	No
	Products/Service:	Grain bins/industrial material handling equipment, conveyors support systems/grain auguring, grain drying equipment
#9.	Business Name:	Standard Iron
	Service Sector:	Manufacturing
	Employment Number:	Total: 200
	Year Established:	2004
	Unions:	No
	Products/Service:	metal fabrication

INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS
Industrial Buildings Available in Community.......	3
Spec Buildings Available.......	0
Details Available Online.......	Yes
Details Available in Print.......	Yes
Suggested links for further information on available	buildings:
	79018 sq ft
	Grand Island Assessories (GIA)
	Kaufmann Center
	Walnut Street Building
	http://www.grandisland.org/recruitment/realestate.htm

We also have a number of commercial, warehouse, and office space buildings available. Please visit our website at www.grandisland.org or call us at 308/381-7500 for more information.

INDUSTRIAL SITES
Controlled Industrial Sites Available in Community.......	5
Details Available Online.......	Yes
Details Available in Print.......	Yes
Suggested links for further information on available	sites:
	1,208 Acres
	Business & Technology Park
	Lot 13, Platte Valley Industrial Park
	Lot 14, Platte Valley Industrial Park
	Lot 16, Platte Valley Industrial Park
	Lot 17, Platte Valley Industrial Park
	Lot 18, Platte Valley Industrial Park
	Lot 3, Platte Valley Industrial Park
	Lot 4, Platte Valley Industrial Park
	Lot 5, Platte Valley Industrial Park
	Lot 6, Platte Valley Industrial Park
	Platte Valley Industrial Park 2
	http://www.grandisland.org/recruitment/realestate.htm
	http://www.southernpd.com
	http://www.flygrandisland.com

Platte Valley Industrial Park is located on the southern region of Grand Island. Small sites (4 acres) and up. Located to the East of Platte Valley Industrial Park is Platte Valley Industrial Park East. Up to 320 acres is available. Both industrial parks can be serviced by the Union Pacific Rail Road. Just acquired is the Cornhusker Industrial Park. Located on the West side of Grand Island this former Army Ammunition Plant facility has up to 1,700 acres owned by the Economic Development Corp. Adjacent to this park is the Energy Park consisting of approximately 1,300 acres owned by Southern Public Power. Both sites are serviced by Union Pacific and Burlington Northern-Santa Fe. Next to the Hall County Airport Authority is their Business & Technology Park. HCAA can build to suite on 185 acres.

COMMUNITY NOTES
Our Community:	Centrally located in Nebraska is Hall County which is the home of Grand Island the third largest city in Nebraska. We offer the high quality and productive employees that you have heard about in regards to Midwesterners. Many of the workers have grown up in this area. With our superior education and training system we can expand on these workers' knowledge and refine their skills. Our non-union environment makes our employees more committed to the company.
Suggested Sites:	GI Area Economic Development Corporation @ www.grandisland.org City of Grand Island @ www.grand-island.com GI Area Chamber of Commerce @ www.gichamber.com US Census Quickfacts @ quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31000.html State of NE Dept. of Econmic Dev. @ www.neded.org

Local Development Contact:

Marlan Ferguson GI Area Economic Dev. Corp. 308 N. Locust St. PO Box 1151 Grand Island, NE 68802-1151 Phone:(308) 381-7500 Fax:(308) 398-7205 Email: mferguson@grandisland.org Website: www.grandisland.org

Cindy Johnson Chamber of Commerce 309 W. 2nd St. PO Box 1486 Grand Island, NE 68802-1486 Phone:(308) 382-9210 Fax:(308) 382-1154 Email: cjohnson@gi-chamber.com Website: www.gi-chamber.com

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

Fast Facts Community Profiles sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Nebraska Public Power District.
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