Nebraska               Community "Fast Facts" Profile               Seward, Nebraska               Date generated: 7/31/2010

LOCATION
Seward, Nebraska (click for larger view)		Seward,the county seat of Seward County, is located in southeastern Nebraska. Seward is served by U.S. Highway 34 and Nebraska Highway 15. Interstate 80 is five miles south of Seward. Seward is 30 miles west of Lincoln and 77 miles southwest of Omaha.

POPULATION

General: Last Census Latest Year % 2000 2009     Change Seward ....... 6,319 6,742 6.7% Seward County ....... 16,496 16,481 -0.1% Labor Market Population1 ....... 336,192 365,219 8.6% 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......... 1,967 1,607 1,597 2,175 1,119 142 8,465 51.4 % Female...... 1,860 1,229 1,427 2,164 1,336 251 8,016 48.6 % Total: 3,827 2,836 3,024 4,339 2,455 393

Median Age (2009):     State 35.8 years       County 37.3 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 8,983 205,688     Unemployment..... 33,217 372 9,177     Unemployment as % of Labor Force..... 3.3% 4.1% 4.5%     Total Employment..... 962,418 8,611 196,510     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 $8.90 $11.17 $14.27 Data Entry Keyers $9.15 $11.39 $13.91 Laborers, Helpers & Material Movers, Hand $7.75 $10.35 $15.29 Lathe Tool Setters $12.29 $16.53 $19.67 Machinists $9.75 $15.33 $23.44 Secretaries, exc. Legal & Medical $10.18 $13.82 $18.54 Welders & Cutters $13.03 $17.81 $20.09 Welding Machine Operators $13.18 $16.55 $19.87 Source: Nebraska Workforce Development, Occupational Employment Statistics Program, First Quarter 2010.

	Percent of Manufacturing Labor Force Unionized	............	1%
	Number of Work Stoppages in Past 5 Years	............	0

A well-educated labor force provides significant benefits to Nebraska employers. Nebraska workers are among the most productive, are readily trainable, and are known for their strong work orientation and technical proficiency. Nebraska has lower than average unemployment, worker's compensation insurance, and wage rates. The labor climate is enhanced by favorable management/labor relations and right-to-work provision in the Nebraska Constitution. Nebraska's positive labor climate and low turnover rates contribute to unemployment insurance costs which are among the nation's lowest.

TRANSPORTATION Motor Carrier: Number & Type of Roads Serving Community - Federal State County INTERSTATE Hwys..... 80 Limited Access, Four-Lane Hwys..... Improved Two-Lane Hwys..... 34 15 Hwy. Name Miles Miles to nearest Interstate hwy..... Interstate 80 5 Miles to nearest four-lane hwy..... 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..... 76 1-2 days 1 Day Lincoln..... 28 1-2 days 1 Day Chicago..... 541 1-3 days 1-2 days Dallas..... 626 3-4 days 2-3 days Denver..... 476 1-3 days 1-2 days Kansas City..... 220 1-3 days 1-2 days Los Angeles..... 1488 4-7 days 2-3 days Minneapolis..... 452 1-3 days 1-2 days New York..... 1314 4-7 days 3-5 days St. Louis..... 472 1-3 days 2-3 days

Nebraska provides extensive highway and rail corridors to both coasts, plus access to the Gulf of Mexico from ports on the Missouri River. Many Midwestern cities are within 24 hours shipping time and no major city is more than four days by truck, or five days by rail. Nebraska manufacturers ship everything from auto parts to electronics throughout the world.

Air: Distance to nearest public airport..... 1 minute(s) Elevation..... 1,506 feet Length of longest runway..... 4,200 feet Runway lighted..... Yes Private aircraft storage available..... Yes Private aircraft maintenance available..... Yes Distance to nearest commercial air transportation..... 25 minute(s) Distance to nearest international airport: Name of Airport Miles to Airport from Community Omaha Eppley International 80 Kansas City International 203 Denver International 469 Scheduled air service is available at the Lincoln Airport, 25 miles (25 minutes)east of Seward. The airport is utilized by both commercial and private aircraft and provides passenger, air express, and air freight services. There are 22 flights a day with non-stop service to four cities and connecting service worldwide. Lincoln provides daily direct flights to Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, and Denver. Rental cars and taxi service are available. Epply Airfield is approximately 85 miles east of Seward and is a regional airport serving the metro Omaha area and Nebraska's surronding states. Eppley Airfield does have daily direct flights to Denver, Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta. The airfield has 16 jet carriers, two turbo prop carriers, and approximately 8 cargo carriers. There are 87 daily departures to 19 non-stop destinations including both coasts. Barge: The Missouri river, on Nebraska's eastern border, provides a water link to the gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, via the Great lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains a 9-foot deep, 300-foot wide channel for 735 navigable miles from Sioux City to the mouth of the Missouri River near St. Louis. The river is navigable approximately eight months of the year. It is free flowing with no locks or dams. Rail: Community Served by Railroad..... Yes Two major railroads serve Nebraska-Union Pacific and BNSF Railway Company. Thirteen freight railroads operate more than 3,600 miles of track throughout the state. No major city in the United States is more than five days by rail from Nebraska. Amtrak provides passenger service in Nebraska with stops in five communities. UTILITIES Electricity:  State Electric Power Deregulated.....   No Electric System Operator: City of Seward   phone - (402) 643-2928   website - www.cityofsewardne.com Wholesale Supplier: Nebraska Public Power District   phone - Econ Dev: 800-282-6773 or 24-Hours: 877-275-6773   website - www.nppd.com   email - econdev@nppd.com   comments - Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), the state's largest electric utility, has a diverse mix of generation, including nuclear, coal, hydro, gas and oil, and wind. NPPD delivers power to approximately 1 million Nebraskans and has ample capacity to meet the needs of new loads. Nebraska's electric costs are among the lowest in the nation. NPPD's professional Economic Development Team is available to assist with expansion and retention of existing business and new business locations. Contact the Economic Development Team by emailing econdev@nppd.com or by calling (800) 282-6773. Further information can be found online @ sites.nppd.com. Utility information can be found @ www.nppd.com. Natural Gas: Natural Gas Service Available..... Yes Supplier in Community..... Black Hills Energy Water: Provider..... city Major Source..... 9 If Wells, Average Depth..... 130 feet Rated Capacity..... 600.000 mgd Average Capacity..... 573.000 mgd Peak Demand..... 2.000 mgd Storage Capacity..... 950,000 gallons Hardness..... 230 ppm Treated..... No Temperature Range..... 520 (degrees Fahrenheit) Three Well Fields Sanitation/Waste Water: Name of Provider..... city Type of Service..... sanitary sewer Rated Capacity..... 1.010 (mgd) Average Daily Demand..... 0.760 (mgd) Peak Demand..... 0.800 (mgd) Sewer Connection Fee..... Yes Telecommunications: Name of Local Service Provider..... Alltel Communications Number of Long Distance Service Providers..... 1 TAX STRUCTURE Actual Valuation of City: $264,982,311 (year 2004) Real Property Tax Rates ($ per $100 of actual value): For Year: 2004 City....... $0.3399220 County....... $0.3102750 School....... $1.2180270 Total Real Property....... $1.8682240 Bond Indebtedness: For Year: 2004 General Obligation......... $8,280,000.00 Revenue......... $6,590,000.00 School......... $6,180,000.00 MUNICIPAL SERVICES Type of Government..... mayor/council Comprehensive City Plan..... Yes, 2001 (year) City Manager..... Yes City Engineer..... No 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..... 94 % Number Volunteer Fire Department Personnel..... 48 Number Full-Time Police Officers..... 10 Inside City Outside City Fire Insurance Class..... 4 8 EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES   Public Schools # of Schools Enrollment Teacher/Student Ratio Elementary 1 389 1:15 Middle / Jr. High 1 351 1:13 Senior High 1 531 1:13 Trade & Tech Schools 1 9,672   Private Schools # of Schools Enrollment Teacher/Student Ratio Elementary 2 344 Colleges 1 1,317 RECREATIONAL FACILITIES   Type of facilities in city or within 30 minutes: Private Golf Course(s)..... 1 Public Tennis Court(s)..... 8 Public Swimming Pool(s)..... 1 Public Park(s)..... 14 Public Camp Ground(s)..... 2 Nearest Public Access to Lake or River..... 20 mile(s) Camping..... Yes Swimming..... Yes Fishing..... Yes Motorized Boats..... Yes Water Skiing/Tubing..... Yes HOUSING Number of Single Units Built in Last 2 Years..... 116 Number of Multiple Units Built in Last 2 Years..... 10 Average Cost Per Square Foot of Single Units Built in Last 2 Years..... $110 Average Monthly Rental - 3 Bedroom House..... $650 Average Monthly Rental - 2 Bedroom Apartment..... $425 Average Cost of Houses Sold (last 2 years)..... $95,000 HEALTH FACILITIES Number of Hospitals in Community..... 1 Number of Outpatient Clinics..... 1 Medical Personnel in or Serving Community: Dentist(s) / Orthodontist(s)..... 5 Veterinarian(s)..... 2 COMMERCIAL SERVICES Machine Shops in City....... 3 Tool & Die Services in City....... 1 Electric Motor Repair Services in City....... 1 Type of Newspaper in City....... weekly Local Radio Station(s)....... 0 Number of TV Channels Received without Cable....... 7 Cable Antenna Television Serves City....... Yes Maximum Number of Cable Channels Received....... 200 Number of Protestant Churches....... 15 Number of Catholic Churches....... 1 Number of Motels & Hotels in Community....... 3 Total Number of Rooms Available....... 68 Number of Banks in City....... 3 Assets: $280,609,493 Chamber of Commerce....... Yes Chamber Executive is Full-Time....... Yes LOCAL MANUFACTURING CHARACTERISTICS Number of Manufacturing Plants in Community..... 11 Number of Manufacturing Plants with Unions..... 1 Number of Manufacturing Employees..... 713 LARGEST EMPLOYERS Leading Employers in Community: INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS   Suggested links for further information on available buildings: 12,000 square feet 161,842 square foot building   INDUSTRIAL SITES   Suggested links for further information on available sites: 17.9 Acre Site 23 acre site (#1) 30 Acre Site 5 Acre Site 55 Acre Site 60 Acre Site COMMUNITY NOTES Our Community: Seward is a thriving community where your business will grow. Seward County employers cite the Midwest work ethic and access to a population of almost a half million as strengths of their location. With only a 20 minute drive to downtown Lincoln, population 240,000, Seward County provides a metropolitan feel with cost of living and quality of life advantages. Your business will grow in Seward County, but so can leadership skills, cultural experience, spiritual identity and historic knowledge. Seward County residence provides a plethora of opportunities for varied interests. Seward County’s diverse cultural and entertainment amenities are a result of influence from and access to nearby Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. The youthful presence found in Seward, as in most college towns, is in part due to Concordia University and Southeast Community College. In downtown Seward, dining and retail surround the Courthouse Square. The beautiful, historic courthouse remains Seward County government’s home. Seward hosts a July 4th celebration that attracts over 30,000 visitors each summer. Farmer’s Market vendors sell fresh produce twice a week during the summer months on the downtown Square. An outdoor concert arena, two art galleries, sporting events and activities hosted by multiple civic organizations are available throughout the year. Nearby towns host annual events such as a community melodrama and ethnic food festivals. For more information on benefits of a Seward County location for your business, please contact Seward County Economic Development. We look forward to providing data and assistance. Suggested Sites: Seward County Economic Development @ www.SewardCountyED.com Seward Area Development Corp site @ www.sewardne.com   Local Development Contact: Lana Zumbrunn Seward County Economic Development PO Box 205 104 South 5th Street, Suite 204 Seward, NE 68434 Phone:(402) 525-4891 Email: lzumbrunn@sewardcountyed.com Website: www.SewardCountyED.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   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. 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