South Sioux City, Neb. is recertified through 2019
JANUARY13, 2015 (LINCOLN, NEB.)—South Sioux City, Neb. (pop. 13,424), has earned its recertification in the Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community Program. The city was originally certified in May 2006, and recertified in May 2009 and this past December.
The program is sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats and administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED). Designation as a Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community indicates that South Sioux City is prepared for business growth and ready to meet the needs of companies seeking new business and industrial locations.
“South Sioux City is definitely a community on the move as it relates to a stellar record of economic and community development projects,” said Annette Wiles, Nebraska Diplomats President. “The Diplomats are pleased to play a continuing part in the city’s impressive list of economic successes as it impacts the entire region.”
“As Mayor of South Sioux City, I take a great deal of pride in the development of our city, said Mayor Rod Koch. “South Sioux City is a progressive community and we will do everything in our power to help with our existing businesses, as well as help any future businesses that want to call our community home. Being recognized as a Certified Community will augment our position to attract major industries.”
“With new Industries coming to South Sioux City, and numerous expansions with our current companies, we are very proud of the growth of our businesses and our community,” said Randy Lanning, President of the Community Development Agency. “Along with the economic development, we have started to focus on housing development to help meet the demands of our future growth.”
Throughout the past five years South Sioux City’s progressive economic development initiatives have prompted 12 new companies to locate in South Sioux City and Dakota County, resulting in 140 new jobs to the community. The most recent this past year include Cardinal Farms Aquaculture, Flatwater Metals, Big Ox Energy and Caliber Inc.
In addition, 12 existing businesses have chosen to expand their operations in the South Sioux City area. These companies include Tyson Foods, Beef Products Inc., CHS Inc., Richardson Milling, K&B Trucking, and Omega Industries. The 12 existing business expansion projects have resulted in 390 new jobs created in the community over the last five years.
Omega Industries, a highway and street construction company, undertook two significant expansions during 2014, the most recent, adding ten new jobs.
“We are excited about expanding in South Sioux City,” said Isidoros Garifalakis, President of Omega Industries Inc. “As a result of contracts with Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and other railroad companies, we will continue to expand production to meet the needs of our customers.”
In 2014, the City also signed a landmark agreement with Wisconsin-based Big Ox Energy where 35 acres of land was purchased to process municipal wastewater at a future bioenergy facility planned for South Sioux City. The facility will use a cutting edge anaerobic digestion process to break down waste and produce natural gas. Big Ox Energy anticipates the $40 million facility will result in 30 new full-time jobs.
Also new to the South Sioux City community in 2014 was Flatwater Metals, a company specializing in the delivery of high quality, cost effective raw metal products to the commercial and government sectors.
“The business is new enough that we’re not yet sure what the future holds, but what we do know is that we’re happy to be in South Sioux City,” said Jason Van Ackeren, Flatwater Metals Branch Manager. “We already have expansion plans, and within the next two to three years, we hope to have 20-25 employees.”
Dacia Kruse, DED acting director, was on hand at the January 12 city council meeting to recognize South Sioux City Mayor Koch, Community Development Agency President Lanning and other members of the South Sioux City community for their continued involvement in the Economic Development Certified Community program and their progressive approach to business recruitment and business retention efforts.
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