Community Guide

Chadron NEBRASKA COMMUNITY GUIDE

Economic Development Certified Community www.chadron.com http://chadron-nebraska.com http://nndc.chadron-nebraska.com 2 COMMUNITY GUIDE

The following pages contain basic information about Chadron, Nebraska. This information was ABOUT compiled by the City of Chadron, Nebraska Northwest Development Corporation, Chadron Chamber of Commerce, Chadron State Chadron College, Chadron Community Hospital, Chadron Public Schools NEBRASKA and Nebraska Public Power District in order to promote community development and quality of life. Located in the middle of the beautiful Pine Ridge area of Northwest Nebraska, Chadron is an agricultural community and home to Chadron

Contacts State College. Recreation and history surround the community with Paris Fisher 90,000 acres of National Forest and grasslands. The world renown Mayor of Chadron City of Chadron Museum of the Fur Trade and Mari Sandoz Center offer a glimpse of Chadron, Nebraska 69337 Office: (308) 432-5999 those who founded our economy more than 150 years ago. Cell: (308) 430-5087 Email: [email protected] Chadron is the county seat of Dawes County and regional trade center http://chadron-nebraska.com expanding 60 miles in any direction. Wayne Anderson City Manager City of Chadron Chadron, Nebraska 69337 Office: (308) 432-0505 Cell: (308) 430-0112 Email: [email protected] http://chadron-nebraska.com 2013 U.S. Census Population Deb Cottier Executive Director Chadron 5,787 Nebraska Northwest Development Dawes County 9,088 Corporation Chadron, Nebraska 69337 Office: (308) 432-4023 Cell: (308) 430-5959 Email: [email protected] http://nndc.chadron-nebraska.com

Colette Fernandez Table of Contents Executive Director Chadron Area Chamber of Commerce 3 Geography 17 Local Government Chadron, Nebraska 69337 Office: (308) 432-4401 4 Economic 18 Education Cell: (308) 430-0510 Email: [email protected] Development 21 Quality of Life www.chadron.com 6 Labor 26 Community Rick J. Nelsen, CEcD Economic Development Manager 8 Market Access Services Nebraska Public Power District Columbus, Nebraska 68602-0499 9 Infrastructure 28 Agriculture & Raw Office: (402) 563-5534 Materials Cell: (308) 627-6746 14 Communications Toll Free: (800) 282-6773 15 Tax Structure 30 Climate Email: [email protected] http://econdev.nppd.com CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 3 Geography Location

Chadron, the county seat of Dawes County, is located in Northwest Nebraska at the intersection of U.S. Highways 20 and 385. Chadron is 90 miles south of Interstate 90, 100 miles north of Interstate 80, 98 miles northeast of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and 100 miles south of Rapid City, South Dakota. Elevation

Chadron is 3,365 feet above sea level.

S O U T H D A K O T A

CHADRON

I O W A W Y O M I N G

C O L O R A D O MISSOURI

K A N S A S 4 COMMUNITY GUIDE Economic Development Firms with retail sales tax permits in Chadron reported 2013 net taxable retail sales of $80,667,983, while Dawes County reported retail sales of $88,489,176. Economic Development Organizations

Nebraska Northwest Development Corporation (NNDC), is a private, not-for-profit corporation funded by memberships from the cities of Chadron and Crawford, Dawes County, and business and government. Chadron is a Certified Economic Development Community and provides business assistance through consulting, expansion, and retention activities and a revolving loan fund. The NNDC provides advocacy on issues, grant writing and administration, and acts as a point of contact for any business looking to locate or expand in the county. The organization is funded by 50 business members, the cities of Chadron and Crawford, and Dawes County.

Single Engine Air Tanker (Based in Chadron for Fire Suppression)

New Retail Development in Chadron CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 5

Chadron’s Chadron’s Top Ten Manufacturing Employers Nonmanufacturing Employers

Employees Employees Croell Redi-Mix Concrete...... 9 Chadron State College...... 500 Concrete Education

Metal Products Company...... 8 Chadron Public Schools...... 210 HVAC systems Education

Wal-Mart...... 210 Retail

Chadron Community Hospital...... 130 Medical

U.S. Forest Service, Nebraska...... 110 National Forest (including Pine Ridge Job Corps) Government

Dawes County...... 58 Government

City of Chadron...... 54 Government

Croell Redi-Mix Concrete Crest View Manor...... 35 Nursing home

Your Selling Team...... 27 Telemarketing

Prairie Pines Lodge...... 24 Assisted living

Metal Products Company

U.S. Forest Service, Nebraska National Forest Your Selling Team 6 COMMUNITY GUIDE Labor

Nonfarm Wage & Salary Employment, Dawes County, Unemployment Rate 2013 Annual Average Annual Average 2013

Other Services Dawes County 4.0% Professional & 1.6% Business Services Information 2.8% 1.5% Nebraska 3.9% United States 7.4% Financial Activities 3.4% Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Goods Producing Total Government 6.2% 34.2%

Leisure & Hospitality 13.2% 2006-2011 Percent Change Value Added Per Dollar Manufacturing Production Worker Wages Nebraska, Surrounding States & U.S. 25.0

Education & Health Trade, Transportation Services & Utilities 20.8% 14.5% 22.6% 20.0

Source: Nebraska Department of Labor 15.0 11.7% 10.2% Dawes County Labor Supply 10.0

Annual Average 2013 5.0 Dawes & 0.0 Contiguous Dawes U.S. Surrounding Nebraska Counties* County States Surrounding states include data for states contiguous Non-farm wage and to Nebraska as a group, including Colorado, Iowa, salary workers...... 9,246 3,353 Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Total employment...... 14,033 4,861 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, www.census.gov Labor force population...... 14,613 5,065 ADDITIONAL POTENTIAL LABOR SUPPLY Unionization County high school graduates Nebraska has a right to work provision in its annually...... 59 constitution. In 2012, 6.0 percent of Nebraska’s wage Commuting out of county (2011)...... 1,061 and salary workers were members of labor unions Unemployed...... 204 compared to a national figure of 11.3 percent. Total...... 1,324 NOTE: Does not include estimated number of homemakers, seasonal & Local Labor Unions part-time workers, and workers who would shift from low‑paying • Chadron Public Schools - jobs who could be expected to work for industry. *Contiguous counties include Box Butte, Sheridan, and Sioux Counties Nebraska Education Association in Nebraska. • Chadron State College - Chadron State College Education Association, Nebraska State College Professional Fringe Benefits Association, Nebraska Association of Public Employees Local industries estimate fringe benefits to range from 15 to 20 percent of wages. • U.S. Forest Service - American Federation of Government Employees CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 7

Average Hourly Earnings for Production Workers, 2012

U.S. Average $19.08 NEBRASKA $16.64 California $20.20 Colorado $25.13 Illinois $19.17 Indiana $18.50 Iowa $17.41 Kansas $18.46 Michigan $20.71 Minnesota $19.19 Missouri $18.05 Pennsylvania $18.26 Wisconsin $18.05

0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov)

Average Annual Unemployment Insurance Contribution Per Covered Employee, 2012

U.S. Average $417 NEBRASKA $227 California $490 Colorado $405 Illinois $531 Indiana $335 Iowa $487 Kansas $326 Michigan $676 Minnesota $581 Missouri $302 Pennsylvania $583 Wisconsin $556

$0 $100 $200 $300 $400 $500 $600 $700 $800 Source: Values calculated by Ken Lemke, Nebraska Public Power District, from U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Average Employer Contribution Rates by State, 2012. http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov

Wage Sampling: Hourly wage rates for various occupations, Panhandle Region, Nebraska

10th 50th 90th Standard Occupational Code Title Percentile Percentile Percentile Accountants and Auditors $17.03 $23.28 $39.49 Computer Programmers* $20.22 $35.02 $56.11 Registered Nurses $22.00 $28.52 $36.61 Retail Salespersons $8.06 $10.30 $15.42 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, $9.19 $13.25 $18.22 Customer Service Representatives $9.28 $12.96 $18.80 Office Clerks, General $8.19 $10.81 $15.55 Assemblers and Fabricators, All Other $8.39 $10.84 $16.07 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $9.08 $11.70 $17.18 Machinists $10.54 $14.55 $20.75 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $9.10 $13.48 $24.73 Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters $10.82 $15.41 $20.07 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $11.97 $17.94 $27.41 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators $9.85 $12.11 $17.07 Electricians $11.64 $18.89 $28.92 Tool and Die Makers* $15.08 $22.49 $29.71 *Wage information taken from Nebraska Statewide Source: Nebraska Workforce Development, Occupational Employment Statistics Program, Second Quarter 2014

Workforce a full array of employment and training related services including on‑site services provided by a network of The Nebraska Department of Labor serves employers mandatory Workforce Investment Act partners. The and job seekers across Nebraska through its “One‑Stop nearest One‑Stop Career Center is located in Alliance, Career Centers” located across the state. Services for 55 miles south of Chadron. employers include employee recruitment and screening, posting job openings, tax credit information, and labor To learn more about these and other services visit market and labor law information. Job seekers can find https://neworks.nebraska.gov. 8 COMMUNITY GUIDE Rail

Chadron is served by the shortline Nebraska Market Access Northwestern Railroad which connects to Highways BNSF Railway to the west.

U.S. Highways 20 and 385 intersect in Chadron. North‑south U.S. Highway 385 is part of a federally designated high-priority corridor known as the Heartland Expressway. Work continues to improve the highway to a four-lane expressway status, connecting Colorado and South Dakota to additional expressways. Rapid City, South Dakota, 130 miles north and Denver, Colorado, 310 miles to the southwest are the closest major metropolitan areas. Interstate 90 is 130 miles north while Interstate 80 is 130 miles south. Air

Trucklines The Chadron Municipal Airport, three miles west of More than 13,500 licensed motor carriers with the city has two daily commercial flights available from worldwide connections are based in Nebraska and Great Lakes Airlines to Denver, Colorado. The airport serve businesses throughout North America. has two hard‑surfaced runways (6,000 and 4,000 feet). The latitude at the airport is 42‑50‑15N and the longitude Local trucking companies include Larry Johnson is 103‑05‑43W. Services include instrument landing Trucking with one terminal. system, fuel, storage, and aircraft maintenance. The following trucking map is based on North Platte, Nebraska, 229 miles southeast of Chadron.

Chadron Municipal Airport

Nearest Commercial Air Service

Chadron Municipal Airport Chadron, Nebraska...... 3 miles, 5 minutes Source: Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Legal Trucking Distances from North Platte, Nebraska [maps]. 2014. 1:26,000,000; generated Western Nebraska Regional Airport by Melissa Trueblood; using ESRI Business Analyst Desktop 10.2.1 Software Scottsbluff, Nebraska...... 102 miles, 106 minutes and Data. Rapid City Regional Airport Bus Lines Rapid City, South Dakota...... 107 miles, 106 mintues The nearest bus service is provided by Greyhound Bus Lines in Kimball, 146 miles southwest of Chadron. Water

Barge service is not available near Chadron. CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 9 Infrastructure Retail Division or an NPPD wholesale customer, Nebraska Highlights generate a new or additional electric load of at least one megawatt, have a minimum monthly load demand Energy costs are often a considerable part of any factor of 60 percent, and receive Nebraska Advantage business’ operational budget. These costs can vary economic development incentives offered through greatly between states, but in Nebraska (the only state Nebraska’s Department of Economic Development. in the nation where all electric utilities are publicly owned) electric costs are passed to consumers at NPPD is the state’s leader in generating electricity low, cost-of-service rates. As a result, the state claims with renewable resources. NPPD owns and operates industrial rates well below the national average. three hydropower facilities and a 36‑turbine, Nebraska electric utilities are able to offer low rates, in 60‑megawatt wind energy facility. NPPD has invested part, because they draw from a balanced and efficient millions in the state’s development of wind power “mix” of generation resources. This mix includes coal, during the past 13 years. Knowing that it would be natural gas, oil, diesel, and methane along with carbon- more economical for ratepayers, NPPD recently free generation, like nuclear power, wind power, and signed 20‑year, multi‑million‑dollar agreements with hydropower. private wind developers to purchase power generated from community‑based, wind‑powered generation Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is the state’s facilities. In addition, NPPD continues to explore other largest electric generating utility in terms of chartered opportunities to add more wind power to its generation territory, which includes all or parts of 86 of Nebraska’s portfolio in the next ten years. 93 counties. NPPD relies upon nine major generating facilities, more than 5,000 miles of high‑voltage power With a proven not‑for‑profit power system, strong lines, approximately 260 substations, and thousands infrastructure, a commitment to renewable energy, more miles of distribution lines. Because the system and a plan for meeting customers' needs well into the is interconnected to electrical grids in other states, future, Nebraska’s public power utilities help make NPPD works with regional utilities and industry entities Nebraska an excellent location for industries. to ensure power is delivered safely and dependably to Natural gas in Nebraska is also attractive to industry Nebraskans. for service, supply, and price. A gas‑producing state, NPPD has a new wholesale Economic Development Nebraska is close and well‑connected by pipeline to Rate (EDR) for qualifying projects. To be eligible for the the major gas fields of the central and southern plains. new, low EDR, a project must be a customer of NPPD’s The state’s average cost of industrial gas is less than both the regional and national averages.

The pipelines of two major companies, Northern Natural Gas and Kinder Morgan, provide an ample supply of natural gas to most areas of Nebraska. Depending on usage requirements, natural gas is offered both on a “firm” and “interruptible” basis. NPPD’s Sources of Energy - 2013 (All resources owned or purchased) Beatrice Power Station Cooper Nuclear Station

Hydro * Purchases Wind 2.5% 5.5% 4.6% Gas & Oil Nuclear 0.8% 30.0%

Coal Gerald Gentleman Station Ainsworth Wind Facility 56.6% * Purchases = 4.3% WAPA @ 795 Gwh 1.2% Others @ 212 Gwh 10 COMMUNITY GUIDE

Nebraska’s 2012 Average Retail Price of Energy Costs Energy Costs Are Among Electric Natural Gas The Lowest In (Cents per Kilowatt Hour) (Dollars per Thousand Cubic Feet) The Nation Residential Commercial Industrial Residential Commercial Industrial U.S. Average 11.88 10.09 6.67 10.71 8.10 3.89 NEBRASKA 10.04 8.38 7.01 8.68 6.19 4.34 California 15.34 13.41 10.49 9.14 7.04 5.77 Colorado 11.46 9.39 6.95 8.31 7.58 5.79 Illinois 11.38 7.99 5.80 8.26 7.77 5.64 Indiana 10.53 9.14 6.34 8.94 7.68 6.19 Iowa 10.82 8.01 5.30 9.46 7.13 4.70 Kansas 11.24 9.24 7.09 10.13 8.82 3.95 Massachusetts 14.91 13.84 12.57 13.22 10.68 9.82 Michigan 14.13 10.93 7.62 10.86 8.35 7.38 Minnesota 11.35 8.84 6.54 8.00 6.38 4.48 Missouri 10.17 8.20 5.89 12.25 9.54 7.93 New Jersey 15.78 12.78 10.52 11.09 8.50 7.87 New York 17.62 15.06 6.70 12.97 7.84 6.92 Ohio 11.76 9.47 6.24 9.91 7.11 5.48 Pennsylvania 12.75 9.44 7.23 11.99 10.24 9.58 Texas 10.98 8.16 5.57 10.55 6.63 3.02 Wisconsin 13.19 10.51 7.34 9.27 7.34 5.81

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2012 Annual Chadron Utilities

Electricity and/or a Gross Revenue Tax obligation will have the Base Rate adjusted to include such obligations. Chadron is provided retail electric service by Nebraska All rates are subject to application of a Production Cost Public Power District (NPPD). Three 115,000 volt Adjustment (PCA) and Base Rate adjustments. All minimum transmission lines tie to NPPD’s statewide transmission billings include the customer charge. system and a fourth line is interconnected with the Western Area Power Administration. A 28 MVA 115/34.5 kV transformer, located adjacent to the Residential Service city, provides ample capacity for present and future load projections. The city has a complete ring bus of Customer Charge: $19.00 per month 34,500 volts consisting of five substations with a Summer Winter combined capacity of 22,500 kVA. The distribution voltage is operated at 4,160 wye and 12,470 wye. The 10.61¢ 8.67¢ per kWh for the first 750 kWh used per month system is tied into the statewide grid system. 10.61¢ 6.23¢ per kWh for all Base Electric Rates (effective 1/1/13) additional use Summer bills run from June–September. Winter bills run from October–May.

Customers who are served from distribution facilities for which NPPD has a Lease Payment or Debt Service obligation CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 11

High Tension Service and General Service Demand General Service rates are subject to various adders and discounts depending upon the customer’s requirements, Customer Charge: metering, etc. Single Phase $21.00 per month Three Phase $26.00 per month NPPD has off‑peak and load management rates available to qualifying customers. Summer Winter 11.16¢ 9.23¢ per kWh for the first Prospective customers should contact 1,000 kWh used per Nebraska Public Power District, (877) 275‑6773, month www.nppd.com, for further information regarding 11.16¢ 8.00¢ per kWh for all electric rates and service. additional use Natural Gas

Commercial Electric Space Heating Natural gas is supplied to Chadron by SourceGas Customer Charge: Distribution, LLC, through a 4‑inch transmission pipeline with an operating pressure of approximately Single Phase $57.00 per month 600–650 pounds per square inch. Three Phase $66.00 per month Summer Winter SourceGas is the retail distributor of natural gas within the community, serving approximately 1,900 residential, 12.57¢ 9.03¢ per kWh for the first commercial, and industrial customers. Choice Gas is 200 kWh per kW of available to natural gas customers in Chadron. demand used per month 4.65¢ 3.66¢ per kWh for all Natural gas is avaliable for residential and commercial additional use uses. Availability of natural gas for industrial uses is subject to individual situations. As specific requirements of an industrial prospect become available, information General Service Demand on gas service availability and applicable rates can be obtained from SourceGas’s Service Center at Customer Charge: (800) 563-0012. Single Phase $100.00 per month Three Phase $115.00 per month Other Fuels Summer Winter 12.58¢ 9.45¢ per kWh for the first LP Gas 200 kWh per kW of demand used per month LP gas is available in Chadron for residential, commercial, and industrial uses from Westco in 4.58¢ 3.62¢ per kWh for all Chadron. additional use Oil Oil is available in Chadron for residential, commercial, High Tension Service and industrial uses from Westco in Chadron. Customer Charge: $425.00 per month Demand Charge: Water Summer Winter The municipal water system in Chadron is supplied by $14.40 $10.65 per kW of billing demand five wells, which have an average depth of 200 feet. Energy Charge: The system, serving the entire city, has a combined Summer Winter pumping capacity of 4,000 gallons per minute and 4.48¢ 3.69¢ per kWh for all an underground and surface storage capacity of on‑peak energy 2.1 million gallons. The average daily demand is 1.05 million gallons, and the historic peak daily demand 3.84¢ 2.95¢ per kWh for all is 4.1 million gallons. The system has a maximum off‑peak energy capacity of 7.86 million gallons per day. The static 12 COMMUNITY GUIDE

pressure is 40–70 pounds per square inch and the residual pressure is 35–65 pounds per square inch. Solid Waste Disposal

The city’s wells produce up to 900 gallons of water per Public waste removal is provided by Solid Waste minute. The water table has dropped 1.5 inches in the Agency of Northwest Nebraska (SWANN). past five years. The quality of water in Chadron does not necessitate a water treatment plant. The water is Solid Waste Removal Rates clear with a hardness of 136 ppm and the turbidity is (effective 1/2014) 0.233–2.0 NTU. The temperature ranges from 41o in the winter to 57o in summer. Residential

Water Rates (effective 9/16/13) In town $22.10 per month Apartment (1st Unit) $22.10 per month A water connection fee of $35 is charged to all new Apartment (+1 Unit) $11.85 unit/ per month water services. Line tapping fees for new service are $225 for 3/4”, $250 for 1”, $350 for 1 1/2”, $750 for 2”, and $2,000 for 4”. Rural Residential and Commercial Household $9.70 per month (billed quarterly) Consumption Monthly Fee 0-300 cubic feet $1.05 per 100 cubic feet Commercial 301–5,000 cubic feet $1.10 per 100 cubic feet (by volume, collected twice per week) 5,001–10,000 cubic feet $1.15 per 100 cubic feet Small dumpster (1 cu. yd.) $22.13 per month >10,000 cubic feet $1.20 per 100 cubic feet Medium dumpster (1.5 cu. yd.) $33.20 per month Large dumpster (3 cu. yd) $66.40 per month Sewerage Recycling Chadron has a municipal sanitary sewerage system. The mechanical treatment plant was built in 2010 and Chadron Clean Community System provides pick‑up a has a daily capacity of 1,000,000 gallons and an of office paper and newsprint from businesses. average daily flow of 650,000 gallons. Community collection containers for newsprint, plastics, and cans are available with payment. Containers are A new underground storm water runoff system will be then collected by Solid Waste Agency of Northwest installed mid 2015. Nebraska (SWANN). Sewer-Use Charges (effective 9/16/13) A line tapping fee of $100 is charged for new service.

Residential and Commercial Number of Units Monthly Fee 1 $20.50 2 $37.50

3 $56.00 4 $72.50

All additional units $18.50 each unit CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 13

Chadron City Offices

Dawes County Courthouse in Chadron 14 COMMUNITY GUIDE Communications Nebraska is the first state to be served totally by digital switching, and continues to be served by one Package Delivery Service of the nation’s most advanced telecommunications Federal Express, United Parcel Service, and the networks. U.S. Postal Service provide package delivery services in the Chadron area. Telecommunications & Internet

Great Plains Communications, Century Link, Newspaper and Hemingford Telephone Cooperative provide The Chadron Record, the local weekly newspaper, telecommunication services in Chadron. Verizon has 4,500 subscribers. Daily papers delivered locally Wireless and Viaero Wireless provide cellular telephone are the Scottsbluff Star Herald and the South Dakota services. Rapid City Journal. Internet providers include Mobius Communications, Century Link, and Great Plains Communications. Radio Post Office Stations Carrying Local News Call Letters Frequency Location The U.S. Postal Service in Chadron provides house‑to‑house delivery service and has one mail KCSR-AM 610 KHz Chadron receipt and one dispatch daily. KCNB-FM 94.7 MHz Chadron KQSK‑FM 97.5 MHz Chadron KBPY‑FM 102.9 MHz Chadron

Television

Stations Carrying Local News

Call Letters Channel Location KDUH 4 Scottsbluff, NE KTNE (PBS) 12 Lincoln, NE

U.S. Post Office in Chadron CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 15 Tax Structure counties, cities, school districts, fire districts, etc., to Nebraska Highlights provide for local services. All real property except agricultural land is assessed at actual or market value. ●● Nebraska assesses income tax based upon the Agricultural land is assessed at 75 percent of actual amount of federal taxable income value. Personal property is assessed at net book value. ●● No state property tax Tax rates are expressed in dollars and cents for each ●● No inventory tax $100 of actual value. ●● No personal property tax on intangibles ●● No sales tax on: Market value is determined by each county assessor ○○ raw materials when used as ingredients or through professionally accepted mass appraisal component parts in manufacturing operations methods, which include, but are not limited to: ○○ sales of energy for processing or ●● Comparison with sales of real property of known manufacturing purposes or recognized value, taking into account location, ○○ water used exclusively in manufacturing and zoning, current functional use, and other statutory processing guidelines (sales comparison approach) ○○ qualified agricultural machinery and ●● Earning capacity of the real property (income equipment approach) ○○ manufacturing machinery, equipment, and ●● Cost less depreciation (cost approach) related services ●● Sales and use tax refunds are available on Nebraska Tax Incentives qualifying air and water pollution control equipment ●● Sales and use tax refunds are available on Nebraska’s performance‑based tax incentive programs property qualifying for certain investment demonstrate the state’s commitment to creating a incentives favorable business environment for your business expansion or location. Known collectively as the The Nebraska State Government is financed by an “Nebraska Advantage Package,” this multi‑tiered individual income tax, corporate income tax, 5.5 percent program provides investment credits, wage credits, sales and use tax, corporate occupation tax, and sales tax refunds based on investment and job creation selective excise taxes (liquor, tobacco, motor fuels, etc.). in Nebraska. Qualified companies, large and small can Local governments are financed primarily by property take advantage of these benefits. For more information taxes, although some cities and counties collect a local on the qualifications and potential benefits available option sales tax of between 0.5 and 2.0 percent. to your company contact the Nebraska Department Property taxes are levied against real and personal of Economic Development (800) 426‑6505 or visit property by local political subdivisions such as www.neded.org. 16 COMMUNITY GUIDE

2012‑13 Actual Valuation Chadron, Nebraska Chadron 2014 Tax Rates

Natural Resource District Educational Fire District $0.020416 Service Unit $0.043847 $0.016632

Real Estate Personal Property Other Community Agricultural Society College $0.004187 $0.100533 $8,088,875 $0

County $0.363898

School District $1.050000

$203,248,313 City $0.401209

Total: $211,337,188 Total: $2.000722 (dollars and cents per $100 of actual value)

Local Bonded Indebtedness

City Anticipation Bond (as of 10/1/14) $2,000,000 County Bonds (as of 7/1/14) $726,851

Chadron Fire Department CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 17 Local Government Chadron, a first‑class city, has a mayor‑council form of government with a city manager. The mayor serves 2012 Crime Rates (per 1,000 population) a two‑year term and is elected by the council. Council members serve four‑year terms and are elected at Violent Property large. The city manager is hired by the council. The Crimes Crimes 2014–15 actual city budget is $23,586,566. Chadron 1.4 28.1 Dawes County has three precincts and is governed Dawes County 1.2 19.4 by three county commissioners, who are elected Nebraska 2.6 27.5 by popular vote for four‑year terms. The actual U.S Total 3.9 28.6 county budget for 2014–15 for the general fund is Source: www.ncc.state.ne.us $2,726,860. The county belongs to the Panhandle Area Development District along with 11 other counties. personnel. Standard equipment is utilized by the Fire Protection sheriff’s department.

Fire protection is provided to the city by a 50‑member volunteer fire department; 25 members are certified State Patrol emergency medical technicians and 1 is a paramedic. Troop E of the Nebraska State Patrol is headquartered The department participates in mutual aid within a in Scottsbluff, 98 miles south of Chadron. Five patrolmen 960 square-mile radius with the Pine Ridge Mutual are stationed in Chadron. Aid Association including Alliance, Chadron, Crawford Gordon, Harrison, Hay Springs, Hemingford, Merriman, and Rushville in Nebraska and Ardmore and Oelrichs Streets in South Dakota. Chadron has 36 miles of streets; 30 miles Chadron has one fire station and 256 fire hydrants. are hard‑surfaced with concrete and asphalt. The fire insurance classification inside the corporate Ninety‑four percent of the streets have curbs and limits is 4; outside it is 8–9. Annual expenditures for fire 52 percent have sidewalks. protection for the past three years averaged $104,361. Law Enforcement Building Regulations The following codes are enforced in Chadron: The Chadron Police Department employs International Residential Code, International Plumbing 14 full‑time police officers and 11 support personnel. Code, International Sewer Code, International Property The department utilizes standard law enforcement Maintenance Code, and the International Building equipment. Regular patrol by the police department Code. is provided to existing area industries. The adopted three‑year budget average for police protection is $1,171,137. Planning Sheriff Chadron has a nine member planning commission. Members are appointed by the City Council to serve The Dawes County Sheriff’s Department has three‑year terms. three full‑time sworn officers and six full‑time support The Lakota Company is in the process of an updating its Comprehensive Plan for Chadron. 18 COMMUNITY GUIDE Education Dawes County School District

Type of School Students Teacher/Pupil Ratio Computer/Pupil Ratio

Elementary (K–2) 186 1:20 2:5 Elementary (3–4) 138 1:20 2:5 Middle School (5–8) 251 1:11 2:5 High School (9–12) 240 1:12 Individual Ipads

School District No. 23 in Dawes County covers community colleges as well as private colleges and 850 square miles and has a 2013-14 actual valuation trade schools. A large number of degree programs of $401,769,014, with an actual valuation per student are available and some institutions offer courses and of $11,504,194. This Class 3 school is accredited by workshops specially tailored to meet specific training the AdvancedEd. needs of industry, education, and business.

The 2013–14 school operating expenses totaled Several of Nebraska’s universities are ranked as $10,073,093 with an average cost per pupil of $11,344. national leaders at making quality education affordable.

Report Card 2013–2014 Colleges & Universities ACT Test Composite Frequently Attended by Chadron 20.8 Chadron High School Graduates Nebraska 21.7 Miles National 21.0 Chadron – Source: Nebraska Department of Education Chadron State College

Scottsbluff 98 Educational Service Unit Western Nebraska Community College

Educational Service Unit 13 (ESU), headquartered in Spearfish, South Dakota 153 Scottsbluff, serves 11 counties including Dawes County. Black Hills State University ESU 13 covers approximately 15,000 square miles and 21 school districts. Services provided include Kearney 312 special education, alternative education, professional University of Nebraska at Kearney development, technology services, distance education, cooperative purchasing, instructional media services, Lincoln 421 migrant program services, and federal and state grants. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Specialized Services

The Pine Ridge Job Corps Center is located in Chadron. Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 through 24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. Higher Education Pine Ridge Job Corps Wind Turbine Class Project An abundance of public colleges and universities are available in Nebraska. There are also a number of CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 19

East Ward Elementary School Kenwood Elementary School

Chadron Middle School Chadron High School

Pine Ridge Job Corps 20 COMMUNITY GUIDE

Chadron State College (CSC) Campus Map

CSC Dormatory CSC Student Center

CSC Coffee Ag Pavilion Eagle by Elliot Field at CSC (under construction)

CSC Sparks Hall Eagle Ridge Student Housing at CSC (under construction) CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 21 Quality of Life Nephrology, Neurology, OB/GYN, Orthopedics, Health Care Pacemakers, Pathology, and Urology. Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, 98 miles Built in 2009, Chadron Community Hospital and from Chadron is an ancillary facility utilized by Chadron Chadron Medical Clinic provide primary care, 24‑hour patients. emergency room, surgery, radiology, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, laboratory, home health & hospice, assisted living, and occupation and speech therapies. Clinics

Chadron Medical Clinic provides diagnostics, Hospital laboratory, wellness and physical exams, and education. The Chadron Community Hospital, in Chadron, is an acute care facility with 25 beds. Services include 24‑hour emergency room, surgery, radiology, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, laboratory, home health Rescue Squad and hospice, assisted living, occupational and speech therapies, Community Health Resources, dialysis, and The Chadron Rescue Service, has two ambulances, IV therapy. 25 volunteer emergency medical technicians, and one support personnel. The city owns the ambulance Special clinics at the hospital include: Audiology, with the first responder service transport run by Bariatric, Cardiology, ECHO, ENT, Internal Medicine, volunteers.

Chadron Community Hospital 22 COMMUNITY GUIDE

Nursing Homes Library The contains 42,000 volumes Crestview Care Center Chadron Public Library and has an average annual circulation of 60,000. 70-bed facility Library services include a children’s library and reading program, talking books, preschool story time, film series, online public access catalog, 13 electronic Independent /Assisted Living databases, downloadable e‑books, public copier, computer stations, and high‑speed Internet. Prairie Pines 46‑bed independent living 20‑bed assisted living

Low Cost and/or Retirement Housing Pine Oak Vista 34 units Pine Court Apartments 12 units Royal Court 18 units Heritage Apartments 23 units West Hills Villa 12 units

Chadron Public Library

Wilson Park Gazebo

Wilson Park Playground CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 23

Churches Annual Celebrations SPRING College Rodeo Rodeo sponsored by Chadron Denomination State College

●● Assembly of God MAY Don Beebe Classic Golf ●● Baptist Golf tournament ●● Berean Fundamental ●● Catholic JUNE Ride the Ridge ●● Christian Church Horseback ride ●● Church of the Nazarene JULY Fur Trade Days ●● Church of Christ Parade, buffalo chip throw, primitive ●● Congregational rendezvous, class reunions, traders' ●● Episcopalian market, buffalo BBQ, historic ●● Jehovah Witness flag ceremony, Fur Trade Days ●● Lutheran Regatta, cemetery tours, live music ●● Methodist ●● Mormon/Latter‑Day Saints AUGUST Dawes County Fair ●● Nondenominational 4-H exhibits & livestock sale, tough truck contest, ranch (rodeo) ●● Protestant contests, BBQ, watermelon feed, ●● Seventh‑Day Adventist AKSARBEN Good Neighbor Award, Heritage Farm Awards, rubber Recreation check races OCTOBER Chadron State College There are eight parks in Chadron covering 50 acres. Homecoming Wilson Park has a playground, picnic shelters, picnic Parade, king & queen coronation, tables, and grills. Finnegan Park has picnic shelters, football game picnic tables, grills, and disc golf. Memorial Park has a swimming pool, picnic tables, disc golf, playground, and tennis courts. The Senior Citizens Community Center in Chadron operates as a nutrition site for the elderly where lunches Recreational programs in the community include are served Monday through Friday. Weekly activities Little League baseball, softball, wrestling, men’s and include dancing, cards, and crafts. women’s softball, T-ball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and flag football. Chadron State College provides cultural activities in Chadron throughout the year, including theatre, music, Chadron State Park is located eight miles south of dance, art displays, cultural organizations, and student Chadron with camping, hiking, horseback riding, biking, activities. activities building, cabins, swimming pool, and picnic areas. Open for services Memorial Day through Labor Day, with other activities year round. The Nebraska Financial Institutions National Forest with 40,000 acres of public land ●● Bank of the West and the Oglala National Grasslands are also within ten miles of Chadron providing hunting, fishing, hiking, ●● Chadron Federal Credit Union biking, primitive camping. ●● Farmers State Bank (LPO) ●● First National Bank of Chadron The Museum of the Fur Trade is an internationally ●● First National Bank of North Platte (Chadron branch) known museum interpretting history of the ●● Security First Bank North American Fur Trade from 1840 forward. The rebuilt Bordeaux Trading post offers a view of the actual trading post. Items from the area include a native Housing garden planted, displays of wares, and guns from the Eight new homes were constructed in the past era. three years and it is estimated three will be built in The Dawes County Historical Society displays local 2015. The cost of new home construction averages history, geneology, a toy collection, a school house, $95 per square foot. and annual demonstrations of early ranch techniques. 24 COMMUNITY GUIDE

Dawes County Museum Museum of the Fur Trade

Senior Citizens Community Center Senior Citizens Community Center

Chadron City Pool Statue at Memorial Park CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 25

Tennis Courts

Chadron State Park Paddle Boats at Chadron State Park

Fishing at Chadron State Park Horseback Riding at Chadron State Park 26 COMMUNITY GUIDE Community Services

With a business climate full of opportunity, Chadron Combination...... 5 continues to expand its retail choices and offers a full pallet of services to its residents. It offers an ideal Women’s...... 5 blend of small town living with large city amenities. Appliance Stores...... 3 The residents of Chadron have combined talent and a Auto Body Repair & Services...... 2 strong work ethic to create an ideal setting in which to Auto Repair & Services...... 5 work and live. Auto Supply Parts...... 2 Automobile Dealers...... 5 Professional Automobile Renting & Leasing...... 3 Attorneys...... 7 Bakeries...... 4 Auctioneers...... 2 Banquet Facilities, Halls Auditoriums & Meeting Rooms...... 4 Certified Public Accountants...... 4 Beauty Salons/Barber Shops...... 10 Medical: Bed & Breakfasts...... (12 rooms) 2 Chiropractors...... 2 Carpet and Rug Dealers...... 2 Dentists...... 3 Caterers...... 2 Emergency Medicine...... 5 Child Care Services Family Practice Physicians...... 7 (licensed and nonlicensed)...... 4 General Surgeons...... 1 Computer Services...... 3 Internal Medicine...... 1 Contractor Medical Assistants...... 3 Building...... 5 Nurse Practitioners...... 2 Carpentry...... 4 Nurses, Registered...... 24 Concrete...... 2 Obstetricians & Gynecologists...... 2 Electric...... 3 Optometrists...... 3 Excavating...... 3 Orthodontists...... 1 Flooring...... 1 Ophthalmologists...... 1 General (commercial)...... 5 Orthopedic Surgeons/Sports Medicine...... 1 General (residential)...... 5 Pharmacists...... 8 Gravel...... 4 Physical Therapists...... 5 Heating & Air Conditioning...... 2 Physician Assistants...... 3 Painting...... 2 Podiatrists...... 1 Plumbing...... 3 Psychologists...... 2 Remodeling...... 4 Veterinarians...... 3 Roofing...... 2 Convenience Stores...... 5 Business and Commercial Copying & Duplicating Services...... 1 Accounting/Bookkeeping Agencies...... 5 Dance Studios...... 2 Agricultural Implement Dealers...... 2 Discount Stores...... 2 Antique Shops...... 2 Dry Cleaning & Laundries...... 2 Apparel Stores Electric Motor Repair...... 1 Children’s...... 3 Farm/Ranch Supplies...... 1 CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 27

Feed & Seed Dealers...... 1 Lumberyards...... 2 Fertilizer Suppliers/Applicators...... 2 Machine Shops...... 2 Floral Shops...... 4 Motels/Hotels...... (260 rooms) 8 Funeral Homes...... 1 Nurseries & Garden Centers...... 2 Furniture Stores...... 1 Office Equipment Sales, Service & Supplies...... 1 Gift Shops...... 4 Pet Boarding/Grooming Services...... 1 Grain Dealers...... 1 Pharmacies...... 3 Grocery Stores...... 2 Photography Studios...... 1 Hardware Stores...... 5 Preschools...... 2 Health Clubs...... 3 Printers...... 2 Insurance Companies...... 5 Real Estate Firms...... 3 Interior Decorators & Designers...... 1 Restaurants...... 12 Jewelry Stores...... 2 Service Stations...... 4 Landscaping Equipment & Supplies...... 1 Theatres...... 3 Laundromats...... 2 Upholstery Shop...... 1 Lawn Services...... 2 Welding Shops...... 1 28 COMMUNITY GUIDE Agriculture & Raw Materials In 2012 Nebraska ranked third among the states in corn exports, third in total cash receipts from farm and ranch Nebraska’s Rank Among States marketing, and fifth in agricultural exports. Nebraska’s 1st... farms and ranches utilized 45.5 million acres or 93 percent of the state’s total land area. Cash receipts Great Northern Beans, Dry Edible, 2013 from farm markets in 2012 contributed more than Cattle on Feed, Jan. 2014 $24 billion to the state’s economy and 6.2 percent of Cropland Irrigated Acres, 2012 the U.S. total. Food processing is the state’s largest Popcorn, 2012 manufacturing sector and foreign markets are important Red Meat Production, 2013 for many of the state’s manufacturers. 2nd... Sources: Nebraska Agriculture Rankings - USDA ERS, USDA NASS; Food Processing Status - Bureau of Labor Light Red Kidney Beans, Dry Edible, 2013 Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Pinto Beans, Dry Edible, 2013 Bison, 2012 The Ogallala Aquifer underlies 174,000 square miles in parts of eight states. The Ogallala Aquifer Cattle and Calves, All, Jan. 2014 within Nebraska contains approximately 65 percent 3rd... of the water in storage in the entire aquifer. With the Cash Receipts from Farm Marketings, 2012 implementation of more efficient irrigation systems Corn for Grain, 2013 and other water management measures, the Ogallala Aquifer will remain a valuable resource in Nebraska. Dry Edible Beans, All, 2013 Proso Millet, 2013 Nebraska’s Natural Resource Districts (NRDs) have 4th... responsibility for managing groundwater resources. Beef Cows, All, Jan. 2014 The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources Black Beans, Dry Edible, 2013 maintains responsibility for administration of surface Land in Farms, 2013 water rights. In locations where groundwater and On Farm Grain Storage Capacity, Dec. 2013 surface water are connected, the responsibility is shared among the NRDs and the state for achieving a Off Farm Grain Storage Capacity, Dec. 2013 sustainable balance between water supplies and water 5th... use. Soybeans, 2013 Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service Sugarbeets, 2013 6th... Cropland, Total Acres, 2012 WYOMING SOUTH DAKOTA Hogs and Pigs, All, Dec. 2013 Principal Crops, Harvested, 2013 NEBRASKA Sorghum for Silage, 2013 7th... Sorghum for Grain, 2013 KANSAS COLORADO 8th... Hay, Alfalfa, 2013 Sunflower, All, 2013

NEW 9th... MEXICO OKLAHOMA Hay, Other, 2013 Corn for Silage, 2013 10th... TEXAS Potatoes, Fall, 2013 Source: Nebraska Agriculture Rankings - USDA ERS, USDA NASS CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 29 Dawes County

2012 Statistics Dawes County State of Nebraska Number of Farms...... 493...... 49,969 Land in Farms (acres)...... 824,038...... 45,331,783 Average Size of Farms (acres)...... 1,671...... 907 Market Value of Agricultural Products Sold...... $75,631,000...... $23,068,756,000 Market Value Per Farm...... $153,410...... $461,661 Total Acres Irrigated...... 21,390...... 8,296,573 Percent of Farmland Irrigated...... 2.6%...... 18.3% Source: 2012 Census of Agriculture

Five-Year Average Production of Leading Crops (2009–2013) Dawes County State of Nebraska Corn for Grain...... 512,875 bu.* ...... 1,499,220,000 bu. Hay, Alfalfa...... 57,030 tons* ...... 5,443,000 tons Winter Wheat...... 1,096,680 bu...... 59,794,000 bu. *4-Year Average

Five-Year Average Livestock Population (2009–2013) Dawes County State of Nebraska

All Cattle...... 66,600 ...... 6,320,000 Raw Materials

Uranium is mined near Crawford, 25 miles southwest of Chadron, recovering 750,000 pounds of yellow cake annually. Ponderosa Pine timber of commercial quality is available in an estimated 50,000 acres in the Chadron area. 30 COMMUNITY GUIDE Climate Annual Maximum Temperature (F)

Nebraskans enjoy four distinct 72 seasons... 69 spring, summer, fall, and winter 66 63 Nebraska has a continental climate, with hot summers 60 and cold winters. Temperatures are highly variable from NEBRASKA 57 season to season and year to year. The majority of the 54

state has an average annual maximum temperature 51

of 60ºF to 65ºF with average annual minimum 48 temperatures in the 30ºF to 40ºF range. State temperature records are -47ºF and 118ºF. The average number of days in excess of 100ºF range from 5 (northeast) to 11 (southwest) with most of the state between 6 and 9 days. Minimum temperatures below zero occur on average 7 days per year in southeast Annual Minimum Temperature (F) Nebraska to 20 days in north-central Nebraska.

Precipitation 48 45

Precipitation is also variable and ranges from an 42

annual average of 15 to 20 inches in the west to 30 to 39 35 inches in southeast Nebraska. Approximately 36 75 percent of the precipitation falls as rain from April to NEBRASKA 33 September. Annual average snowfall ranges from 20 inches in the southeast to 50 inches in the 30 northwest. Snowfall usually increases during late 27 winter and reaches a maximum in March. 24 21 Growing Season

The growing season fluctuates in length, but on average it ranges from 120 days in the extreme Annual Precipitation (inches) northwest to 170 days in the southeast. The average date of the last freeze in spring varies from April 25 in extreme southeast Nebraska to May 21 in extreme northwest. The first fall freeze typically occurs from September 20 in the extreme northwest to October 6 45

in the southeast part of the state. 40

NEBRASKA 25 20

Based on 30-year. climate normals 1981–2010 data from the High Plains Climate Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Source: www.hprcc.unl.edu CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 31 Chadron NEBRASKA

New Housing in Chadron

Ridgeview Golf Course Downtown

community websites: www.chadron.com http://chadron-nebraska.org http://nndc.chadron-nebraska.org Learn the History. Explore the Bounty. Firsthand. Chadron NEBRASKA

December 2014

www.nppd.com

Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), Nebraska’s largest electric utility, assists in the economic development of the areas it serves. For more information on NPPD’s economic development assistance, contact the Economic Development Department, 1414 15th Street, PO Box 499, Columbus, NE 68602-0499, (800) 282-6773, Ext. 5534, email: [email protected], or visit our website at econdev.nppd.com.