The Hall County Board of Commissioners approved a $1 million community development block grant on behalf of Hornady Manufacturing.
Hornady says this a chance to expand their west facility in a public-private partnership.
Hornady had been expanding for quite some time, and we have continued expansion plans," said Carla Nolan, Hornady Director of Financial Operations.
"The ability to have extended and expanded public-private partnerships is always a community plus," said Mary Berlie, Grand Island Area Economic Development and Chamber of Commerce President. "In this situation, Hornady Manufacturing is partnering with Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation, South Central Economic Development District, and the State of Nebraska which makes a phenomenal partnership for continuing Nebraska and central Nebraska's progress," noted Berlie.
This expansion will create 29 new jobs for Hornady, which will help expand its workforce and help grow the community.
"When Hornady Manufacturing can expand their physical workforce, it just helps central Nebraska by ten-fold," said Berlie.
Berlie also explained that the City of Grand Island is an entitlement stakeholder and not eligible to apply for the community development block grant, but Hall County meets the population threshold. “Those funds will funnel from the state of Nebraska to the Hall County Board of Commissioners which will then go to the economic development corporation and then eventually to Hornady Manufacturing,” note Berlie.
Berlie further explained the regulations of the block grant in order for Hornady to draw the $1 million. “Based on the State of Nebraska community development block grant program parameters, Hornady Manufacturing will have to expend $2 million in order to draw down on the $1 million grant," said Berlie. "The $2 million expenditure required as part of the community development block grant will need to be spent on working capital, additional hiring, payroll, and anything that goes along with the expansion of 29 new jobs to the Grand Island facility.”
With a focus on creating more low-income jobs, Hornady says this will help grow and develop the city of Grand Island and Hall County.
Hornady Manufacturing is served electrically by Southern Power District, a wholesale customer of Nebraska Public Power District.