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Photo by Justin Haag, Nebraska Game and Parks

Chadron NEBRASKA COMMUNITY GUIDE

www.chadron.com www.chadron-nebraska.com www.nndc.chadron.com 2 COMMUNITY GUIDE

The following pages contain basic information about Chadron, Nebraska. This information was complied by the City of Chadron, ABOUT Northwest Nebraska Development Corporation, Chadron Chamber of Commerce, Chadron State College, Chadron Community Hospital, Chadron Chadron Public Schools, and Nebraska Public Power District NEBRASKA 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 State College. Recreation and history surround the community with 90,000 acres of National Forest and grasslands. The world renown Museum of the Fur Trade and Mari Sandoz Center offer a glimpse of those who founded our economy more than 150 years ago.

Contacts Chadron is the county seat of Dawes County and regional trade center Deb Cottier expanding 60 miles in any direction. Executive Director Northwest Nebraska Development Corporation Chadron, Nebraska 69337 Office: (308) 432-4023 Cell: (308) 430-5959 2017 U.S Census Population Email: [email protected] www.nndc.chadron‑nebraska.com Chadron 5,488

Greg Yanker Dawes County 8,716 City Manager City of Chadron Chadron, Nebraska 69337 Office: (308) 432-0505 Cell: (308) 430-0112 Email: [email protected] www.chadron‑nebraska.com Table of Contents

Gabriel Michna 3 Geography 17 Local Government Executive Director Chadron Chamber of Commerce Chadron, 4 Economic 18 Education Nebraska 69337 Development Office: (308) 432‑4401 21 Quality of Life Email: [email protected] 6 Labor www.chadron.com 26 Community 8 Market Access Services Mary M. Plettner, CEcD Economic Development Manager 9 Infrastructure 28 Agriculture & Raw Nebraska Public Power District Columbus, Nebraska 68602-0499 Phone: (402) 14 Communications Materials 563-5534 Cell: (402) 750-1907 15 Tax Structure 30 Climate Email: [email protected] sites.nppd.com CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 3 Geography

North 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, 140 miles north of Interstate 80, 99 miles northeast of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and 102 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 2018 net taxable retail sales of $83,687,569, while Dawes County reported retail sales of $92,049,992. Economic Development Organizations

A private, not-for-profit organization, Northwest Nebraska Development Corporation (NNDC)’s mission is promoting and assisting responsible economic development. NNDC is the first organization businesses come to when looking to expand, start up, or move a business to Dawes County. They provide consulting, revolving loan funds, advocacy on business related issues, and act as the contact point for any business looking to locate or expand in Dawes County. The organization is funded by business members, the cities of Chadron and Crawford, and Dawes County.

Chadron has 30 acres available for industrial use. The price of the available property is $14,500 to $20,000 per acre.

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 Metal Products Company...... 10 Chadron State College...... 375 HVAC systems Education

Croell Redi-Mix Concrete...... 5 Chadron Community Hospital...... 220 Concrete Medical

Chadron Public Schools...... 210 Education

Wal‑Mart...... 180 Retail

U.S. Forest Service, Nebraska...... 113 National Forest (including Pine Ridge Job Corps) Government

City of Chadron...... 81 Government (includes 31 part‑time employees)

Dawes County...... 56 Government

Croell Redi‑Mix Concrete Crest View Manor...... 45 Nursing home (includes 15 support personnel)

Your Selling Team...... 18 Telemarketing

Petersen Drug...... 15 Pharmacy, home health

Metal Products Company

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

Labor Unemployment Rate Annual Average 2018 Nonfarm Wage & Salary Employment, Dawes County 2.7% Dawes County, Nebraska 2.8% 2018 Annual Average United States 3.9%

Financial Activities Other Services Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 3.0% 1.5% Professional & Information Business Services 1.4% 4.2% Goods Producing 2008-2016 Percent Change 5.2% Value Added Per Manufacturing Production Worker Hours Nebraska, Surrounding States & U.S.

Total Government 40.0 Leisure & Hospitality 36.2% 12.7% 31.8% 30.0 25.8% 20.2% Education & 20.0 Health Services 12.9% 10.0 Trade, Transportation & Utilities 22.9% 0.0 U.S. Surrounding Nebraska States Surrounding states include data for states contiguous to Nebraska as a group, including Colorado, Iowa, Source: Nebraska Department of Labor Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, www.census.gov Unionization Dawes County Labor Supply Annual Average 2018 Nebraska has a right to work provision in its Dawes & constitution. In 2018, 6.6 percent of Nebraska’s wage Contiguous Dawes and salary workers were members of labor unions Counties* County compared to a national figure of 11.6 percent. Nonfarm wage and salary workers...... 5,983 2,018 Local Labor Unions Total employment...... 13,500 4,905 • Chadron Public Schools - Nebraska State Education Association Labor force population...... 13,872 5,040 • Chadron State College - ADDITIONAL POTENTIAL LABOR SUPPLY Chadron State College Education Association, Commuting out of county (2015)...... 1,080 Nebraska State College Professional Association, Unemployed...... 142 Nebraska Association of Public Employees Total...... 1,222 • U.S. Forest Service - NOTE: Does not include estimated number of homemakers, seasonal and American Federation of Government Employees part-time workers, and workers who would shift from low‑paying jobs who could be expected to work for industry. *Contiguous counties include Box Butte, Sheridan, and Sioux Counties in Nebraska. CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 7 Average Hourly Earnings for Production Workers, 2017

U.S. Average $19.86 NEBRASKA $19.16 California $22.74 Colorado $27.52 Illinois $20.22 Indiana $19.90 Iowa $19.37 Kansas $19.14 Michigan $20.74 Minnesota $20.76 Missouri $22.38 Pennsylvania $20.34 Wisconsin $20.25

0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov)

Average Annual Unemployment Insurance Contribution Per Covered Employee, 2017

U.S. Average $313 NEBRASKA $92 California $423 Colorado $284 Illinois $439 Indiana $219 Iowa $381 Kansas $190 Michigan $358 Minnesota $355 Missouri $174 Pennsylvania $618 Wisconsin $299

$0 $100 $200 $300 $400 $500 $600 $700 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, 2018. http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov

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

10th 50th 90th Job Title Percentile Percentile Percentile Accountants and Auditors 15.15 22.90 45.28 Computer Programmers 20.27 43.55 60.22 Registered Nurses 20.49 29.73 39.06 Retail Salespersons 9.57 11.48 18.05 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical 9.65 14.48 20.26 Customer Service Representatives 10.66 14.19 23.38 Office Clerks, General 9.67 13.43 18.22 Assemblers and Fabricators, All Other 11.12 15.69 21.38 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand 10.21 14.51 19.74 Machinists 12.51 15.60 23.45 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers 13.41 18.31 24.40 Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters* 14.69 19.70 26.27 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers 14.40 18.92 25.25 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters/Operators* 11.52 17.86 24.34 Electricians 14.65 22.40 30.48 Tool and Die Makers* 16.70 24.03 34.54 *Wage information taken from Nebraska Statewide Source: Nebraska Workforce Development, Occupational Employment Statistics Program, First Quarter 2019

Workforce and labor market and labor law information. Job seekers can find a fully array of employment and The Nebraska Department of Labor serves employers training related services including on-site services and job seekers across Nebraska through its provided by a network of mandatory Workforce “Career Centers” located across the state. Services Innovation and Opportunity Act partners. To access for employers include employee recruitment and Nebraska Department of Labor’s One-Stop for Jobs, screening, posting job openings, tax credit information, go to neworks.nebraska.gov. 8 COMMUNITY GUIDE Rail

Chadron is served by the shortline Nebraska Market Access Northwestern Railroad, which connects to BNSF Highways 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, 102 miles north and Denver, Colorado, 298 miles to the southwest are the closest major metropolitan areas. Interstate 90 is 90 miles north while Interstate 80 is 140 miles south.

Trucklines More than 13,500 licensed motor carriers with Air worldwide connections are based in Nebraska and serve businesses throughout North America. The Chadron Municipal Airport, located four miles west of Chadron, has two commercial flights in and out Local trucking companies include Larry Johnson daily by Boutique Airlines with service to the Denver Trucking and Cross Country Freight. International Airport. The airport has two hard‑surfaced runways (6,000 and 4,000 feet). Services include The following trucking map is based on Scottsbluff, instrument landing service, storage, fuel, and aircraft Nebraska, 99 miles southwest of Chadron. maintenance. The latitude at the airport is 42‑50‑15N and the longitude is 103‑05‑43W.

Chadron Municipal Airport

Source: Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Legal Trucking Distance from Scottsbluff, Nebraska [maps] 2016. Nearest Commercial Air Service Generated by Andrew Eckerson using ESRI Business Analyst Desktop. Chadron Municipal Airport Chadron, Nebraska...... 5 miles, 10 minutes Bus Lines Western Nebraska Regional Airport The nearest bus service is provided by Greyhound Bus Scottsbluff, Nebraska...... 103 miles, 103 minutes Lines in Kimball, 148 miles southwest of Chadron. Rapid City Regional Airport Rapid City, South Dakota...... 108 miles, 108 minutes CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 9

NPPD has an Economic Development Rate (EDR) for customers with qualifying projects of new or additional electric load. To be eligible for the lower, incentivized Infrastructure EDR, a customer must: • be served by an NPPD wholesale customer or Nebraska Highlights NPPD’s Retail Division, • add new or additional electric load of at least Energy costs are a considerable part of any business’ one megawatt, operational budget. These costs can vary greatly • have a minimum monthly load factor of 60 percent, between states, but in Nebraska (the only state • have a written agreement with the State of in the nation where all electric utilities are publicly Nebraska or any political subdivision to provide owned) electric costs are passed to consumers at low, an economic development project pursuant to cost‑of‑service rates. As a result, industrial rates are state or local law, and well below the national average. Nebraska’s electric • have a written service agreement with NPPD. utilities can offer low rates, in part, because they draw from an efficient “mix” of generation resources including NPPD’s renewable resources play a central role in coal, natural gas, oil, diesel, and methane, along with a strong carbon‑free footprint. In addition to a power carbon‑free “fuels,” like nuclear, wind, hydro, and solar purchase agreement with seven of the state’s wind power. farms, NPPD owns and operates the largest public power wind facility in the state near Ainsworth. Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is the state’s largest electric generating utility in terms of chartered NPPD has three hydropower facilities and contracts territory, which includes all or parts of 86 of Nebraska’s for generation from three other hydropower 93 counties. NPPD relies upon 9 major generating facilities. Community solar is also underway in facilities, more than 5,000 miles of high‑voltage power three communities, with more on the way. In 2016, lines, approximately 260 substations, and thousands NPPD’s Cooper Nuclear Station contributed to an more miles of distribution lines. Because the system energy portfolio that was more than 60 percent is interconnected to electrical grids in other states, carbon‑free. NPPD works with regional utilities and industry entities to ensure power is delivered safely and dependably to NPPD’s Sources of Energy - 2018 Nebraskans. (Share of Energy Resources & QLG) Native Load

Non-Carbon = 56.2% Gas/Oil Purchases Retail QLG* Wind 3.2% 6.3% 0.1% 8.3%

Coal Nuclear 34.3% 39.6%

Beatrice Power Station Cooper Nuclear Station Hydro / WAPA 8.2% *QLG = Qualifying Local Generation

Natural gas in Nebraska is also attractive to industry for service, supply, and price. A gas‑producing state, Nebraska is close and well‑connected by pipeline to the major gas fields of the central and southern plains. 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

Gerald Gentleman Station Ainsworth Wind Facility 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. 10 COMMUNITY GUIDE

2017 Average Retail Price of Energy Costs Nebraska’s 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 12.89 10.66 6.88 10.91 7.88 4.10 NEBRASKA 10.97 8.85 7.66 9.01 6.37 4.54 California 18.31 15.76 12.73 12.49 8.76 7.05 Colorado 12.17 9.89 7.50 8.08 7.17 5.58 Illinois 12.95 9.09 6.47 8.83 7.78 5.76 Indiana 12.29 10.54 7.54 8.94 7.52 5.99 Iowa 12.34 9.46 6.21 9.30 6.87 5.21 Kansas 13.31 10.59 7.54 10.95 9.36 4.16 Massachusetts 20.06 15.93 13.88 13.32 10.16 8.02 Michigan 15.40 11.00 7.19 8.38 7.02 5.97 Minnesota 13.04 10.48 7.37 8.47 6.80 4.48 Missouri 11.63 9.47 7.33 11.78 8.44 6.64 Nevada 15.65 12.28 10.12 9.14 9.14 7.92 New Jersey 18.03 14.75 5.92 12.04 6.87 7.21 New York 12.63 10.05 6.92 9.72 6.11 6.71 Ohio 14.23 8.98 6.77 11.40 9.16 8.38 Pennsylvania 11.01 8.26 5.35 13.61 7.71 3.28 Wisconsin 14.35 10.87 7.49 8.40 6.60 5.34

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2017 Annual

Chadron Utilities Natural Gas Black Hills Energy, a subsidiary of Black Hills Electricity Corp., serves 300,000 natural gas customers in 300 Nebraska communities. Black Hills Energy’s Chadron is provided retail electric service by Nebraska Nebraska headquarters is located in Lincoln. Public Power District (NPPD). Three 115,000 volt transmission lines tie to NPPD’s statewide transmission Black Hills Energy is the distributor of natural gas in system and a fourth line is interconnected with the Chadron. The transmission provider is Northern Natural Western Area Power Administration. A 28 MVA Gas. Natural gas in Chadron is provided by a 4‑inch line 115/34.5 kV transformer, located adjacent to the with 650 pounds per square inch (PSI), with an average city, provides ample capacity for present and future value of 1,000 Btu per cubic foot, and is available for load projections. The city has a complete ring bus residential, commercial, and industrial customers for of 34,500 volts consisting of five substations with a base and peak use on a firm basis. Interruptible service combined capacity of 22,500 kVA. The distribution is available for customers with alternate fuel capability. voltage is operated at 4,160 wye and 12,470 wye. The Annual curtailment of interruptible customers varies system is tied into the statewide grid system. with the type of service selected by the customer.

Prospective customers should contact Nebraska Public Power District, (877) 275-6773, or www.nppd.com, for further information regarding electric rates and service. CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 11

Rates vary slightly due to seasonal and commodity Water Rates (effective 10/1/18) price fluctuation. Current rates for the commercial/light industrial class customer, can be found on Black A water connection fee of $115 is charged to all new Hill’s website at www.blackhillsenergy.com. water services. A Turn On/Turn Off fee of $5 is charged ($100 after hours). Line tapping fees for new service Contact Black Hills Energy at (888) 890-5554 for are $380 for 3/4", $460 for 1", $745 for 1 1/2", and $890 information regarding rates and services. for 2" lines.

Other Fuels Residential and Commercial LP Gas Base Unit Fee (Based on Meter Size) LP gas is available in Chadron for residential, 5/8" $ 9.40 per month commercial, and industrial uses from Westco in 3/4" $ 13.00 per month Chadron. 1" $ 17.00 per month Oil 1 1/2" $ 31.00 per month Oil is available in Chadron for residential, commercial, and industrial uses from Westco in Chadron. 2" $ 46.50 per month Water 3" $ 65.25 per month 4" $126.25 per month The municipal water system in Chadron is supplied by five wells, which have an average depth of 200 feet. 6" $246.25 per month The system, serving the entire city, has a combined Consumption Monthly Fee pumping capacity of 4,000 gallons per minute and an underground and surface storage capacity of 0–300 cubic feet $1.75 per 100 cubic feet 2.1 million gallons. The average daily demand is 1.05 million gallons, and the historic peak daily demand 301–5,000 cubic feet $1.85 per 100 cubic feet is 4.1 million gallons. The system has a maximum 5,001–10,000 cubic feet $1.90 per 100 cubic feet capacity of 7.86 million gallons per day. The static pressure is 40–70 pounds per square inch and the >10,000 cubic feet $1.95 per 100 cubic feet residential pressure is 35–65 pounds per square inch. The city’s wells produce up to 900 gallons of water per Sewerage minute. The water table has not changed in the past five years. The quality of water in Chadron does not Chadron has an activated sludge sanitary sewerage necessitate a water treatment plant. The water is clear system and an underground storm water runoff. with a hardness of 14–16 GPG and the turbidity is The subsurface and surface mechanical treatment 0.233 NTU. The temperature ranges from 41 degrees plant was built in 2010 and has a daily capacity in the winter to 57 degrees in the summer. of 1,200,000 gallons and an average daily flow of 650,000 gallons.

A new underground storm water runoff system was installed mid‑2015 in downtown Chadron. 12 COMMUNITY GUIDE

Sewer-Use Charges (effective 10/1/18) Apartment A line tapping fee of $250 is charged for new service. Crawford & Hemingford (disposal only) Residential and Commercial First Unit $14.15 per month Additional Units $14.15 per month Base Unit Fee Base unit fee $28.60 per month Multiple family unit $28.60 per month plus Commercial $24.00 per additional (collection & disposal) unit each month Consumption Fee Small dumpster $24.00 per month (1 cu. yd.) Base Fee plus $1.00 per 100 cubic feet of water Medium dumpster $36.00 per month used in excess of 800 cubic feet, based on (1.5 cu. yd.) average consumption for December–February usage of fiscal year preceding the effective Large dumpster $71.30 per month (3 cu. yd.) fiscal year of this ordinance. Extra pickup $8.92 per month Sewer fees are doubled outside the city limits.

Commercial Solid Waste Disposal Crawford & Hemingford (disposal only) Public waste removal is provided by Solid Waste Agency of Northwest Nebraska (SWANN). Small dumpster $15.80 per month (1 cu. yd.) Solid Waste Removal Rates Medium dumpster $23.70 per month (effective 7/1/19) (1.5 cu. yd.) Large dumpster 47.30 per month (3 cu. yd.) Residential City (collection & $24.25 per month Recycling disposal) City (disposal only), $14.30 per month Chadron Clean Community System provides pick‑up Crawford and of office paper and newsprint from businesses. Hemingford Only Community collection containers for newsprint, plastics, and cans are available with payment. Containers are Rural $12.45 per month then collected by Solid Waste Agency of Northwest Nebraska (SWANN).

Apartment (collection & disposal)

First Unit $24.25 per month Additional Units $14.15 per month 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 Newspaper digital switching, and continues to be served by one of the nation’s most advanced telecommunications The Chadron Record, the local weekly newspaper, has networks. 1,800 subscribers. The daily paper delivered locally is the South Dakota Rapid City Journal. Telecommunications & Internet

Great Plains Communications, Century Link, and Hemingford Telephone Cooperative provide telecommunication services in Chadron. Verizon Wireless and Viaero Wireless provide cellular telephone services.

Internet providers include Mobius Communications, Century Link, and Great Plains Communications.

Post Office Chadron Record The U.S. Postal Service in Chadron provides house‑to‑house delivery service and has one mail Radio receipt and one dispatch daily. Stations Carrying Local News

Call Letters Frequency Location KCSR‑AM 610 KHz Chadron KCNB‑FM 94.7 MHz Chadron KQSK‑FM 97.5 MHz Chadron KBPY‑FM 107.7 MHz Chadron

Television

U.S. Post Office in Chadron Stations Carrying Local News Call Letters Channel Location Package Delivery Service KDUH 4 Scottsbluff Federal Express, United Parcel Service, and the KTNE (PBS) 12 Lincoln U.S. Postal Service provide package delivery services in the Chadron area. CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 15 Tax Structure Market value is determined by each county assessor Nebraska Highlights through professionally accepted mass appraisal methods, which include, but are not limited to: • Nebraska assesses income tax based upon the amount of federal taxable income • Comparison with sales of real property of known • No state property tax or recognized value, taking into account location, • No inventory tax zoning, current functional use, and other statutory • No sales tax on: guidelines (sales comparison approach) ○ raw materials when used as ingredients or • Earning capacity of the real property (income component parts in manufacturing operations approach) ○ sales of energy for processing or • Cost less depreciation (cost approach) manufacturing purposes ○ water used exclusively in manufacturing and Nebraska Tax Incentives processing ○ qualified agricultural machinery and Nebraska’s performance-based tax incentive programs equipment demonstrate the state’s commitment to creating a ○ manufacturing machinery, equipment, and favorable business environment for your business related services expansion or location. Known collectively as the • Sales and use tax refunds are available on “Nebraska Advantage Package,” this multi-tiered qualifying air and water pollution control program provides investment credits, wage credits, equipment sales tax refunds based on investment and job creation • Sales and use tax refunds are available on in Nebraska. Qualified companies, large and small can property qualifying for certain investment take advantage of these benefits. For more information incentives on the qualifications and potential benefits available The Nebraska State Government is financed by to your company, contact the Nebraska Department an individual income tax, corporate income tax, of Economic Development, (800) 426-6505 or 5.5 percent sales and use tax, corporate occupation visit opportunity.nebraska.gov. tax, and selective excise taxes (liquor, tobacco, motor fuels, etc.). Local governments are financed primarily by property taxes, although some cities and counties collect a local option sales tax of between 0.5 and 2.0 percent.

Property taxes are levied against real and personal property by local political subdivisions such as counties, cities, school districts, fire districts, etc., to provide for local services. All real property except agricultural land is assessed at actual or market value. Agricultural land is assessed at 75 percent of actual value. Personal property is assessed at net book value. Tax rates are expressed in dollars and cents for each $100 of actual value. 16 COMMUNITY GUIDE

2018–19 Actual Valuation Chadron 2018 Tax Rates City of Chadron, Nebraska

N E R D S Real Estate Personal Property D A $2,640,802 S C C

C

School Distrct $1.050000

$234,997,648

C

Total $237,638,450 Total: $2.026968 (dollars and cents per $100 of actual value)

Local Bonded Indebtedness As of 1/1/19: City General Obligation Bonds None City Revenue Bonds (as of 4/1/2019) $8,825,000 School District Bonds None County Bonds None

Chadron Fire Department CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 17 Local Government 2017 Crime Rates Chadron, a first‑class city, has a mayor‑council form of (per 1,000 population) government. The mayor serves a two‑year term and is elected by the council members. Council members Violent Property serve four‑year terms and are elected at large. The Crimes Crimes 2018–19 actual city budget was $15,804,913. Chadron 1.6 23.4 Dawes County has three precincts and is governed by Dawes County 1.0 16.2 three county commissioners, who are elected by popular Nebraska 3.1 22.7 vote for four‑year terms. The actual county budget U.S. Total 3.9 23.6 for 2018–19 for the general fund is $3,312,324. The Source: ucr.fbi.gov county belongs to the Panhandle Area Development District along with 11 other counties. Sheriff

Fire Protection The Dawes County Sheriff’s Department has six full‑time sworn officers and ten full‑time support Fire protection is provided to Chadron by a 50‑member personnel. Standard equipment is utilized by the volunteer fire department; 25 members are certified sheriff’s department along with an emergency response emergency medical technicians and 1 is a paramedic. trailer. Regular patrol is provided to existing industries. The department participates in mutual aid within a 960 square‑mile radius with the Pine Ridge Mutual Aid Association including Alliance, Chadron, Crawford, State Patrol Gordon, Harrison, Hay Springs, Hemingford, Merriman, and Rushville in Nebraska and Ardmore and Oelrichs Troop E of the Nebraska State Patrol is headquartered in South Dakota. Mutual Aid is provided to Dawes, in Scottsbluff, 99 miles southwest of Chadron. Three Sioux, and Sheridan Counties. patrol officers are stationed in Chadron.

Chadron has one fire station and 260 fire hydrants. The fire insurance classification inside the corporate Streets limits is 4; outside it is 8–9. Annual expenditures for fire protection for the past three years averaged $140,000. Chadron has 30 miles of streets; 20 miles are hard‑surfaced (99 percent with concrete and asphalt and one percent gravel). Ninety‑five percent of the Law Enforcement streets have curbs and 55 percent have sidewalks. The Chadron Police Department employs 12 full‑time police officers and 8 support personnel. The department Building Regulations utilized standard law enforcement equipment. Regular patrol by the police department is provided The following codes are enforced in Chadron: to existing area industries. Annual expenditures for International Residential Code, International Plumbing police protection for the past three years averaged Code, International Sewer Code, International Property $1,427,667. Maintenance Code, and the International Building Code. Planning

Chadron has a nine‑member planning commission. Members are appointed by the City Council to serve three‑year terms.

The Comprehensive Plan for Chadron was prepared in June 2016 by Lakota Company of Madison, Wisconsin.

Chadron Police Department 18 COMMUNITY GUIDE Education Chadron School District

Chadron Public Schools Students Teacher/Pupil Ratio Computer/Pupil Ratio

Elementary (Pre‑K) 20 1:20 1:10 Elementary (K‑2) 216 1:18 1:4 Elementary (3–4) 136 1:23 1:3 Middle School (5–8) 277 1:20 1:4 High School (9–12) 259 1:20 1;1

School District No. 23‑0002 in Dawes County covers Higher Education 723.4 square miles and has a 2017–18 actual valuation of $543,349,101, with an actual valuation per student An abundance of public colleges and universities are of $580,501. This Class III school is accredited by the available in Nebraska. There are also a number of Nebraska Department of Education and AdvancED. community colleges as well as private colleges and trade schools. A large number of degree programs The 2017–18 school operating expenses totaled are available and some institutions offer courses and $11,271,334 with an average cost per pupil of $12,042. workshops specially tailored to meet specific training needs of industry, education, and business. Report Card 2017–2018 Several of Nebraska’s universities are ranked as ACT Test Composite national leaders at making quality education affordable. Chadron 19.9 Nebraska 19.4 Colleges & Universities National 20.8 Frequently Attended by Source: Nebraska Department of Education Chadron High School Graduates Miles Educational Service Unit Chadron, Nebraska – Chadron State College Educational Service Unit 13 (ESU), headquartered in Scottsbluff, serves 12 counties including Dawes County. Scottsbluff, Nebraska 99 ESU 13 covers approximately 15,000 square miles Western Nebraska Community College and 21 school districts. Services provided include technology support, early childhood services, staff Spearfish, South Dakota 150 development, migrant, psychological services, and Black Hills State University behavioral‑mental health. Kearney, Nebraska 310 Specialized Services University of Nebraska at Kearney Lincoln, Nebraska 450 The Pine Ridge Job Corps Center is located in Chadron. Job Corps is a no‑cost education and career University of Nebraska‑Lincoln 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. CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 19

Kenwood Elementary School

East Ward Elementary School

Chadron High School

Chadron Middle School

Pine Ridge Job Corps Wind Turbine Class Project

Pine Ridge Job Corps 20 COMMUNITY GUIDE

Chadron State College Dormitory Chadron State College Coffee Ag Pavilion

Chadron State College Chicoine Center Chadron State College Sandoz Center CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 21 Rescue Squad Quality of Life The Chadron Rescue Service has two ambulances, 25 volunteer emergency medical technicians, and one support personnel. The city owns the ambulance with the first responder service transport run by Health Care volunteers. Built in 2009, Chadron Community Hospital and Chadron Medical Clinic provide primary care; 24‑hour Nursing Homes emergency room; surgery; radiology; respiratory therapy; laboratory; home health and hospice; Crestview Care Center assisted living; and physical, occupational, and speech 70‑bed facility therapies.

Hospital Independent / Assisted Living

The Chadron Community Hospital, in Chadron, is Prairie Pines an acute care facility with 25 beds. Services include 46‑bed independent living 24‑hour emergency room, surgery, radiology, physical 20‑bed assisted living therapy, respiratory therapy, laboratory, home health and hospice, assisted living, occupational and speech therapies, community health resources, dialysis, and Low Cost and/or Retirement Housing IV therapy. Pine Oak Vista 34 units Special clinics at the hospital include: audiology, bariatric, cardiology, ECHO, ENT, internal medicine, Heritage Apartments 23 units nephrology, neurology, OB/GYN, orthopedics, Royal Court 18 units pacemakers, pathology, and urology. Pine Court Apartments 12 units Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, 99 miles West Hills Villa 12 units from Chadron, is an ancillary facility utilized by Chadron patients. Clinics

Chadron Medical Clinic provides diagnostics, laboratory, wellness and physical exams, and education.

Chadron Community Hospital 22 COMMUNITY GUIDE Library Churches The Chadron Public Library contains 78,933 volumes and has an average annual circulation of 60,000. Library services include a copier, public computers, Denominations scanner, digital printer, high‑speed Internet (fiber), • Assembly of God 13 electronic databases, downloadable e‑books, and • Baptist talking books. • Catholic Library programs include a summer reading program, • Church of the Nazarene adult winter reading program, knowledge programs • Church of Christ featuring local experts, a Native American movie • Congregational festival called Trading Stories, Stories Around the Fire • Episcopalian Pit (coinciding with Fur Trade Days), along with weekly • Jehovah’s Witness events including book club, yoga class, craft classes, • Lutheran knitting club, and story time. • Methodist • Mormon/Latter‑Day Saints • Nondenominational • Protestant • Seven‑Day Adventist

Chadron Public Library Ridgeview Golf Course

Wilson Park Playground & Gazebo CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 23

Recreation Annual Celebrations

Eight parks in Chadron cover 50 acres. Wilson Park SPRING College Rodeo has playground equipment, picnic shelters, picnic Sponsored by Chadron State College tables, and grills. Finnegan Park has picnic shelters, picnic tables, grills, and disc golf. Memorial Park has MAY Don Beebe Classic Golf a swimming pool, picnic tables, disc golf, playground Golf tournament equipment, and tennis courts. JUNE Ride the Ridge Recreational programs in the community include Horseback ride Little League baseball, wrestling, men’s and women’s softball, T‑ball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and flag JULY Fur Trade Days football. Parade, buffalo chip throw, primitive rendezvous, class Ridgeview Golf Course is a publicly owned nine‑hole reunions, flea market, buffalo golf course with grass greens and a full‑service club BBQ, queen contest & flag ceremony, Fur Trade Days house. Regatta, cemetery tours, and live Chadron State Park is located eight miles south of music Chadron with camping, hiking, horseback riding, biking, Bands on Bordeaux activities building, cabins, swimming pool, and picnic Each Thursday in July there is areas. Open for services Memorial Day through Labor a free concert with live band, Day, with other activities year round. The Nebraska vendors, beer garden, and kids games National Forest with 40,000 acres of public land and the Oglala National Grasslands are also within AUGUST Dawes County Fair ten miles of Chadron providing hunting, fishing, hiking, 4‑H exhibits & livestock sale, biking, and primitive camping. tough truck contest, ranch (rodeo) contests, BBQ, watermelon feed, The Museum of the Fur Trade is an internationally AKSARBEN Good Neighbor known museum interpreting history of the Award, Heritage Farm Award, North American Fur Trade from 1840 forward. The and rubber check races rebuilt Bordeaux Trading Post offers a view of the actual trading post. Items from the area include a planted OCTOBER Chadron State College native garden, displays of wars, and guns from the era. Homecoming Parade, king & queen coronation, The Dawes County Historical Society displays local and football game history, genealogy, a toy collection, a school house, Harvest Festival and annual demonstrations of early ranch techniques. Kids games, vendor booths, and entertainment downtown The Senior Citizens Community Center in Chadron Trunk or Treat operates as a nutrition site for the elderly where lunches Trick or treating downtown are served Monday through Friday. Weekly activities (sponsored by Kiwannis) include dancing, cards, and crafts.

Chadron State College provides cultural activities in Chadron throughout the year, including theatre, music, Housing dance, art displays, cultural organizations, and student Six new homes were constructed in the past activities. three years and it is estimated one will be built in 2019. The cost of new home construction averages Financial Institutions $120 per square foot. • Bank of the West • Chadron Federal Credit Union • Farmers State Bank • First National Bank of Chadron • First National Bank of North Platte (Chadron branch) • Security First Bank New Housing in Chadron 24 COMMUNITY GUIDE

Dawes County Museum Museum of the Fur Trade

Senior Citizens Community Center Senior Citizens Community Center

Chadron Aquatic Center Statue at Memorial Park CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 25

Memorial Park Tennis Courts

Bicycle Run at Chadron State Park Paddle Boats at Chadron State Park

Trail Riding at Chadron State Park Swimming Pool at Chadron State Park 26 COMMUNITY GUIDE Community Services With a business climate full of opportunity, Chadron Automobile Dealers...... 5 continues to expand its retail choices and offers a full pallet of services to its residents. It offers an ideal Automobile Renting/Leasing...... 2 blend of small town living with large city amenities. Banquet Facilities, Halls 5 The residents of Chadron have combined talent and a Auditoriums & Meeting Rooms...... strong work ethic to create an ideal setting in which to Beauty Salons/Barber Shops...... 9 work and live. Bed & Breakfasts...... (12 rooms) 2 Caterers...... 2 Professional Child Care Services...... 5 Computer Services...... 1 Attorneys...... 6 Contractor Auctioneers...... 1 Building...... 6 Certified Public Accountants...... 8 Carpentry...... 4 Medical Concrete...... 2 Chiropractors...... 2 Electric...... 2 Dentists...... 4 Excavating...... 2 Family Practice Physicians...... 7 Flooring...... 1 General Surgeons...... 1 General (commercial)...... 4 Internal Medicine...... 1 General (residential)...... 4 Medical Assistants...... 4 Gravel...... 2 Nurse Practitioners...... 3 Heating and Air Conditioning...... 2 Nurses, Registered...... 25 Painting...... 4 Optometrists...... 5 Plumbing...... 2 Orthodontists...... 1 Remodeling...... 5 Pharmacists...... 8 Roofing...... 2 Physical Therapists...... 4 Convenience Stores...... 4 Physician Assistants...... 3 Copying & Duplicating Services...... 2 Veterinarians...... 2 Craft Stores...... 1 Business and Commercial Dance Studios...... 1 Department Stores...... 1 Accounting/Bookkeeping Agencies...... 3 Discount Stores...... 1 Agricultural Implement Dealers...... 2 Electric Motor Repair...... 1 Antique Shops...... 1 Farm/Ranch Supplies...... 2 Apparel Stores Feed & Seed Dealers...... 1 Children’s...... 2 Fertilizer Suppliers/Applicators...... 1 Combination...... 2 Floral Shops...... 2 Men’s...... 2 Funeral Homes...... 1 Women’s...... 2 Furniture Stores...... 1 Appliance Stores...... 2 Gift Shops...... 4 Auto Body Repair & Services...... 3 Grain Dealers...... 1 Auto Repair & Services...... 5 Grocery Stores...... 2 Auto Supply Parts...... 2 CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 27

Hardware Stores...... 1 Office Equipment Sales, Service & Supplies...... 2 Hatcheries...... 1 Pet Boarding/Grooming Services...... 2 Health Clubs...... 2 Pharmacies...... 3 Heavy Equipment Repairs...... 1 Photography Studios...... 2 Insurance Companies...... 5 Preschools...... 2 Jewelry Stores...... 1 Printers...... 2 Landscaping Equipment & Supplies...... 2 Real Estate Firms...... 3 Laundromats...... 1 Restaurants...... 15 Lawn Services...... 2 Service Stations...... 4 Lumberyards...... 2 Shoe Store...... 2 Machine Shops...... 2 Theatres...... 1 Motels/Hotels...... (300 Rooms) 9 Variety Stores...... 1 Nurseries & Garden Centers...... 3 Welding Shops...... 1

Storefronts Stabilized and Improved Through Downtown Revitalization Grant 28 COMMUNITY GUIDE Agriculture & Raw Materials In 2017 Nebraska ranked first among the states in beef and beef product exports; third in corn exports and cash receipts from all livestock and products. Nebraska’s Rank Among States Nebraska’s farms and ranches utilized 45.2 million 1st... acres or 91 percent of the state’s total land area. Beef and Beef Product, Exports, 2017 Cash receipts from farm markets in 2017 contributed Commercial Red Meat, 2018 more than $21.0 billion to the state’s economy and 5.7 percent of the U.S. total. Food processing is the Commercial Cattle Slaughter, 2018 state’s largest manufacturing sector and foreign Great Northern Beans, 2018 markets are important for many of the state’s All Cattle on Feed, Jan. 2019 manufacturers. Popcorn, 2017

Sources: Nebraska Agriculture Rankings - USDA ERS, 2nd... USDA NASS; Food Processing Status - Bureau of Labor All Cattle and Calves, Jan. 2019 Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages All Hay, 2018 Pinto Beans, 2018 The Ogallala Aquifer underlies 174,000 square miles in parts of eight states. The Ogallala Aquifer Proso Millet, 2018 within Nebraska contains approximately 65 percent Light Red Kidney Beans, 2018 of the water in storage in the entire aquifer. With the Bison, 2017 implementation of more efficient irrigation systems 3rd... and other water management measures, the Ogallala Corn for Grain, 2018 Aquifer will remain a valuable resource in Nebraska. Corn Exports, 2017 Nebraska’s Natural Resource Districts (NRDs) have Cash Receipts from All Livestock and Products, 2017 responsibility for managing groundwater resources. 4th... The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources Beef Cows, Jan. 2019 maintains responsibility for administration of surface Cash Receipts from all Farm Commodities, 2017 water rights. In locations where groundwater and Land in Farms and Ranches, 2017 surface water are connected, the responsibility is shared among the NRDs and the state for achieving a 5th... sustainable balance between water supplies and water Soybean Exports, 2017 use. Soybeans, 2018 Alfalfa Hay, 2018 WYOMING SOUTH DAKOTA Harvested Acres of Principal Crops, 2018 Cash Receipts from All Crops, 2017 NEBRASKA Grain Sorghum, 2018 Sugar Beets, 2018 Egg and Egg Product Exports, 2017 Pork and Pork Product Exports, 2017 KANSAS 6th... COLORADO All Dry Edible Beans, 2018 Agricultural Exports, 2017 Commercial Hog Slaughter, 2018 NEW 7th... MEXICO OKLAHOMA Sunflowers, 2018 All Hogs and Pigs on Farms, Dec. 2018 8th... TEXAS Winter Wheat, 2018 Source: Nebraska Department of Agriculture - USDA, NASS, NFO, and NBA CHADRON ● NEBRASKA 29 Dawes County

2017 Statistics Dawes County State of Nebraska Number of Farms...... 491...... 46,332 Land in Farms (acres)...... 750,204...... 44,986,821 Average Size of Farms (acres)...... 1,528...... 971 Market Value of Agricultural Products Sold...... $60,933,000...... $21,983,430,000 Market Value Per Farm...... $124,100...... $474,476 Total Acres Irrigated...... 17,819...... 8,588,389 Percent of Farmland Irrigated...... 2.4%...... 19.1% Source: 2017 Census of Agriculture

Five-Year Average Production of Leading Crops (2013–2017) Dawes County State of Nebraska

Corn for Grain (bushels)...... 539,975* ...... 1,658,390,000 Hay, Alfalfa (tons)...... 76,220 ...... 3,122,000 Winter Wheat (bushels)...... 943,475* ...... 54,918,000 *4‑year average

Five-Year Average Livestock Population (2013–2017) Dawes County State of Nebraska

All Cattle...... 66,600 ...... 6,360,000

Dawes County ranked in the top nine counties in the state in the production of alfalfa hay three years out of the past five years.

Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service Raw Materials

Uranium is mined near Crawford, 25 miles southwest of Chadron, recovering 750,000 pounds of yellow cake annually. Commercial quality Ponderosa Pine timber 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

35

30

NEBRASKA 25 20

15

10

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

Community Websites: www.chadron.com www.chadron‑nebraska.com www.nndc.chadron.com

Learn the History. Explore the Bounty. Firsthand. Chadron NEBRASKA

August 2019

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