Community Facts Ravenna, Nebraska

COMMUNITY FACTS RAVENNA, NEBRASKA www.ci.ravenna.ne.us

MAY 2009

POPULATION (Official U.S. Census)

2000 2007 Est. Ravenna 1,341 1,305 Buffalo County 42,259 44,976 Labor Market* 189,616 194,603 *Includes Buffalo County and contiguous counties

Economic Development Department Nebraska Public Power District Columbus, Nebraska 68601 www.nppd.com sites.nppd.com

©Nebraska Public Power District, 2009

A63 G131581.ZIP In t r o d u c t i o n

The following pages contain basic information about Ravenna, Nebraska. This material was compiled by the Ravenna Economic Development Corporation, Ravenna Chamber of Commerce, and Nebraska Public Power District in order to promote community development.

Additional and more detailed information about Ravenna may be obtained by contacting any of the following:

Kellie Crowell, City Clerk City of Ravenna Ravenna, Nebraska 68869 Business Phone: (308) 452-3273 Fax: (308) 452-3274 Home Phone: (308) 452-4406 Email: [email protected] www.ci.ravenna.ne.us

Paul McDowell, President Ravenna Economic Development Corporation Ravenna, Nebraska 68869 Business Phone: (308) 452-3330 Fax: (308) 452-9127 Cell Phone: (308) 390-7631 Email: [email protected] www.ci.ravenna.ne.us

Margaret Treffer, Executive Director Ravenna Chamber of Commerce Ravenna, Nebraska 68869 Business Phone: (308) 452-3225 Fax: (308) 452-3296 Email: [email protected] www.ci.ravenna.ne.us

Dennis G. Hall, CEcD Economic Development Manager Nebraska Public Power District Columbus, Nebraska 68602‑0499 Business Phone: (402) 563‑5534 Toll Free: (800) 282‑6773 Fax: (402) 563‑5090 Cell Phone: (402) 562-0893 Email: [email protected] sites.nppd.com Section headings are hot linked within this Facts Book. Click on the blue text links to jump to a new section. Clicking on the blue section headings will return you to the Table of Contents. Table of Contents

Ge n e r a l In f o r m a t i o n Lo c a t i o n ...... 1 Po p u l a t i o n ...... 1 Lo c a l Ec o n o m y ...... 2 Ele v a t i o n ...... 2 To p o g r a p h y ...... 2 Hi s t o r y ...... 2 Ec o n o m i c De v e l o p m e n t Ma n u f a c t u r e r s ...... 3 Ma j o r Nonmanufacturing Em pl o y e r s ...... 4 Ot h e r Ma j o r Ar e a Em pl o y e r s ...... 4 Ec o n o m i c De v el o p m e n t Organizations ...... 7 La b o r La b o r Su ppl y ...... 13 Unionization ...... 15 Wa g e s ...... 15 Fr i n g e Be n e f i t s ...... 16 Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n Ra i l r o a d s ...... 17 Mo t o r ...... 17 Ai r ...... 18 Wa t e r ...... 18 Ut i l i t i e s Ele c t r i c i t y ...... 19 Na t u r a l Ga s ...... 21 Ot h e r Fu el s ...... 21 Wa t e r ...... 21 Sewe r a g e ...... 22 So l i d Wa s t e Di s p o s a l ...... 22 Re c y c l i n g ...... 22 Co m m u n i c a t i o n s Tele communications ...... 23 In t e r n e t ...... 23 Po s t Of f i c e ...... 23 Pa c k a g e Del i v e r y Se r v i c e s ...... 23 New s p a pe r ...... 23 Ra d i o ...... 23 Tele v i s i o n ...... 24 Ta x St r u c t u r e Va l u e s Fo r Ta x Le v y Pu r p o s e s —Ci t y o f Ra v e n n a ...... 25 Ta x Ra t e ...... 25 Ci t y Sa le s Ta x ...... 25 Lo c a l Bo n ded In de b t ed n e s s ...... 25 Sc h o o l Bo n d Is s u e s ...... 26 Co u n t y Bo n d Is s u e s ...... 26 Lo c a l Go v e r n m e n t Co u n t y Go v e r n m e n t ...... 27 Mu n i c i p a l Go v e r n m e n t ...... 27 Fi r e Pr o t e c t i o n ...... 27 La w En f o r c e m e n t ...... 27 St r ee t s ...... 28 Bu i ld i n g a n d Zo n i n g Re g u l a t i o n s ...... 28 Pl a n n i n g ...... 28 Co m m u n i t y Fa c i l i t i e s Sc h o o l s a n d Co lle g e s ...... 29 Ch u r c h e s ...... 34 He a l t h Ca r e ...... 34 Nu r s i n g Ho m e s ...... 37 Li b r a r y ...... 38 Da y c a r e Fa c i l i t i e s ...... 38 Re c r e a t i o n ...... 38 Ho u s i n g ...... 41 Fi n a n c i a l ...... 42 Co m m u n i t y Se r v i c e s Pr o f e s s i o n a l ...... 45 Bu s i n e s s a n d Co m m e r c i a l ...... 45 Ag r i c u l t u r e & Ra w Ma t e r i a l s Ag r i c u l t u r e ...... 47 Ra w Ma t e r i a l s ...... 47 Cl i m a t e Te m pe r a t u r e , Pr e c i p i tat i o n , a n d Hu m i d i t y ...... 48 Fr o s t Da t a ...... 48

Ravenna Sign Historical Markers on Highway 2

Ge n e r a l In f o r m a t i o n

Buffalo County Population o c a t i o n L by Race and Hispanic Origin, Ravenna is located in the northern part of Buffalo 2007 U.S. Census County in central Nebraska. Nebraska Highway 2 White 97.1% passes through the southern edge of the Black 0.8% community with Nebraska Highway 68 passing American Indian and Alaska Native 0.4% through the heart of Ravenna in a northerly Asian 0.7% direction. U.S. Highway 30 is 19 miles south. Ravenna is 32 miles northeast of Kearney, Native Hawaiian and Other * Pacific Islander 33 miles northwest of Grand Island, and 182 miles west of Omaha. Two or More Races 0.9% Hispanic or Latino Origin 5.4% Po p u l a t i o n (U.S. Census) White Persons Not Hispanic 91.9% *Value greater than zero but less than one-half Year Ravenna Buffalo County unit of measure shown. 1970 1,356 31,222 1980 1,296 34,797 The 2007 U.S. Census estimates 194,603 people 1990 1,317 37,447 live in Buffalo County and the contiguous 2000 1,341 42,259 counties of Adams, Custer, Dawson, Hall, Howard, Kearney, Phelps, and Sherman. 2007 (Est.) 1,305 44,976 One person in Ravenna is fluent in Spanish, a second language.

Primary Retail Trade Area - 1 - Lo c a l Ec o n o m y no way of envisioning the arrival of settlers to this lonely, treeless plan, populated only by Indians, Basic economic activities of Ravenna include buffalo, and occasional herds of antelope. Nor railroading (division point), ranching, farming, had he any way of seeing the steel rails of the cattle feeding, milk operations, manufacturing, Burlington Railway treading their way through ethanol production, manufacturing, and retail the lush grassland of northern Buffalo County to and wholesale sales. finally cross the South Loup River and establish a division point on the homestead of Erastus Smith. The primary retail trade area extends Erastus Smith moved to a homestead near the approximately 4 miles east, 4 miles south, 17 miles juncture of the Loup and Beaver Rivers in 1874, northwest, and 18 miles north and contains an carting his family, furnishings, and registered estimated 2,700 people. Firms with retail sales cattle from Iowa. He chose his homesite with a tax permits in Buffalo County reported annual railroad in mind; and when the Burlington and net taxable retail sales of $645,322,825 in 2008. Missouri Railroad sought a division point on its Nine wholesale firms in the community distribute new line running from Lincoln to the mineral ethanol; dehydrated chicken, eggs, cheese, fields of Wyoming, Smith’s choice of a homestead mushrooms, and shrimp; cheese; auto parts seemed the most likely spot. and supplies; meat; injection molds; plumbing and construction parts and supplies; food; and The Lincoln Townsite Company, whom the machine parts. Burlington favored with a job of purchasing and platting the new town, approached Smith with an The economy in Ravenna has seen improvements offer to purchase a substantial section of his farm since 2003. Leprino expanded and brought for a townsite. Smith agreed, and the company in Schreiber Foods to package their product. purchased two-thirds interest in the area required, Abengoa Bioenergy began production in 2004, with Smith retaining every third lot. When the and Cargill built a fertilizer plant. The city also question of a name arose, a representative of the benefited from new retail establishments and company suggested Ravenna after Ravenna, Italy, several new eateries. and the name stuck. The streets in the original plat, drawn in June of 1886, were named after El e v a t i o n noted cities in Italy.

Ravenna is 1,992 feet above sea level. A bank, newspaper, hotel, and many business establishments soon were in operation. When the To p o g r a p h y Burlington began its regular run from Ravenna on July 1, 1886, it left a busy, booming town. By fall The terrain in the city and the immediate the town was large enough to seek incorporation; surrounding area is level to gently rolling; beyond and on October 12, 1886, Ravenna, Nebraska, this area, the terrain is rolling to hilly. Farmland became an official reality. terracing has held erosion to a minimum. From that time, Ravenna, through the efforts of its Soil types range from sandy to silty loam. civic-minded citizens, has continued to improve. Drainage to the Loup River and Muddy Creek is Ravenna was named an “All-America City” good. in 1978 and runner up in 2003. A celebration was observed in 1986 in honor of Ravenna’s Hi s t o r y centennial. The community has received many awards in the Nebraska Community Had the lonely sentry on duty one night in 1864 Improvement Program throughout the years. The known that the fortification which he guarded “Award of Merit” was received in 2007 from the would be near a booming, bustling town in less Nebraska Department of Roads and the “Rural than 25 years, he probably would have called Development Award” was received in 2008 from the mound of earth surrounding the two oak the United States Department of Agriculture. buildings “Fort Banishment.” Of course, he had - 2 - Ec o n o m i c De v e l o p m e n t

Manufacturers

Employees Company/Year Established Product Market Male Female Union Abengoa Bioenergy Nebraska, Ethanol Export 51 7 None LLC 2004

Cedar Hills Vineyard Wine Local 1 1 None 2006 2* 5*

Henningsen Foods, Inc. Dehydrated chicken, Export 18 7 None 1959 eggs, cheese, shrimp & mushrooms

L & M Machine Tool & die/job shop Export 4 1 None 1995 1*

Leprino Foods, Inc. String cheese/ National/ 72 82 None 1982 mozzarella cheese Export 1* 3*

Ravenna Locker Cured & fresh meat Local 3 1 None 1981

Ravenna News Newspaper & Local 0 4 None 1886 commercial printing 1*

Redi-Mix, Inc. Concrete Local 1 0 None 1950

Schreiber Foods, Inc. Food packaging National/ 42 34 None 2005 Export 2*

SunTech Industries Injection molded National/ 6 2 None 1995 products Export 1*

*Part‑time and/or seasonal

- 3 - Ma j o r Nonmanufactur i n g Em p l o y e r s (employing 10 or more)

Employees Employer Type of Activity Male Female Union City of Ravenna Government 5 2 None 13* 22*

Farmers Cooperative Association Fuel, fertilizer & chemicals 19 3 None 4*

Good Samaritan Center Nursing home 4 65 None

Intermotel Leasing Railroad housing 4 12 None 6* 6*

Kirschner Implement Machinery sales & repair 17 4 None

Prince of the Road/Aquila Passenger transportation 6 14 None Limousine Service 75* 25*

Ravenna Public Schools Education 18 51 NSEA 12* 22*

Ravenna Super Foods Grocery, deli & catering 3 7 None 4* 4*

Seneca Sunrise, LLC Assisted living 0 17 None 3*

Town & Country Bank, Ravenna Financial 6 17 None Branch

Uncle Neal’s Convenience store 2 4 None 6* 3*

*Part‑time and/or seasonal

Ot h e r Ma j o r Ar e a Em p l o y e r s (within 40 miles and employing 100 or more)

Employees Employer Type of Activity Male Female Union Gibbon, 24 miles

Nebraska Turkey Growers Turkey processing 226 Total None Cooperative

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. Beef processing 418 113 None

- 4 - Employees Employer Type of Activity Male Female Union Kearney, 32 miles

Baldwin Filters Manufacturing Co. Oil, air & fuel filters 324 337 None

The Buckle Retail clothing 150 370 None

Builder’s Warehouse Building supplies 65 35 None

Cabela’s Catalog sales 195 353 None

Cash-Wa Distributing Food distribution 166 42 None

Chartwells Food Service Contract food service 67 101 None

Chief Industries, Inc. Grain drying equipment, 231 31 None Agri/Industrial Division correctional equipment

City of Kearney Government 203 65 None

Community Action Partnership of Community services 37 70 None Mid-Nebraska

County of Buffalo Government 99 119 None

Eaton Corp. Automotive valves & forged 508 108 None gears

Educational Service Unit 10 Education 37 64 None

Good Samaritan Health Systems Medical 285 1,339 None

Holiday Inn/Venue Lodging/dining 46 59 None

Kearney Clinic Medical 21 151 None

Kearney Family YMCA Health club/daycare 44 129 None

Kearney Public Schools Education 191 639 KEA, NSEA

Marshall Engines, Inc. Rebuilt engines 143 37 None

Menards Retail 80 67 None

- 5 - Employees Employer Type of Activity Male Female Union Morris Publishing Group. Cookbooks, printing 82 143 None

Mount Carmel Home Care home 10 100 None

Nebraska Public Power District Electric utility 97 21 None

Platte Valley Medical Group Medical 16 130 None

Ramada Inn Lodging/dining 56 74 None

Target Retail, discount 50 75 None

University of Nebraska at Kearney Education 582 884 NSEA

Wal‑Mart Retail, discount 196 290 None

West Company Pharmaceutical stoppers & 164 109 None closures

Youth Rehabilitation & Treatment Education 104 45 SCATA Center

Grand Island, 34 miles

Bosselman Inc. Truck stop, convenience store 300 Total None

Chief Automotive Technology Auto/truck body repair 111 Total None

Chief Industries Grain bins, steel buildings, 1,651 Total None factory-built homes, sewage treatment systems, etc.

Case IH Forage, harvesters, wind rowers, 922 Total None bale wagons, leaf loaders

Credit Management Collections 110 Total None

GI Veterans Affairs NE-Western IA Medical 300 Total None Health Care System

Grand Island Veterans Home Medical 400 Total None

Hornady Manufacturing Rifle & pistol bullets, small arms 300 Total None ammunition

- 6 - Employees Employer Type of Activity Male Female Union Leon Plastics, Inc. Custom injection molding, 225 Total None plastic finishing

McCain Foods, USA Process coated vegetables, 400 Total None cheese & fruit

MFS/York/Stormor Grain bins, industrial material 101 Total None handling equipment, conveyors support systems/grain auguring, grain drying equipment

Overhead Door Garage door & distribution 305 Total None

Principal Financial Group Insurance & investments 800 Total None

Sta-Rite Industries Pentare water 100 Total None

Standard Iron Metal fabrication 125 Total None

Swift & Company Beef, beef byproducts, fabricated 2,590 Total Yes boxed beef

Ec o n o m i c De v e l o p m e n t Forward thinking and focusing on economic diversity, the Council has created a five-year Or g a n i z a t i o n s strategic plan, including primary job retention and creation. The Council also manages a local The Ravenna Economic Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Corporation, Ravenna Chamber of Commerce, program income loan portfolio designed to assist city of Ravenna, and the Economic Development qualifying projects. Council of Buffalo County work toward industrial development in the community. The Development Council works closely with other organizations such as Nebraska Department The Ravenna Economic Development of Economic Development, city of Ravenna, Corporation, a nonprofit corporation established County of Buffalo, Nebraska Public Power in 1986, has 65 members. Several membership District, and other area communities to ease the drives have been conducted. The 9-member board transition of new or relocating businesses. of directors and Chamber Board members work closely with the Economic Development Council Industrial progress since 2003 included an of Buffalo County. expansion for Leprino, who partnered with Schreiber Foods for packaging their products. The Economic Development Council of Buffalo The Abengoa Bioenergy ethanol plant built in County, a countywide focused organization, 2004 now has more than 50 employees. conducts a variety of activities to encourage and support continued economic development Approximately 250 acres of land in and adjacent in central Nebraska. Formed in 1986 as an to the community are zoned for industry. The price independent, not-for-profit corporation, the of industrially zoned land ranges from $2,000 to Council has a full-time professional staff to carry $6,000. out its mission. - 7 - Abegona Bioenergy Nebraska, LLC

Henningsen Foods, Inc.

- 8 - L & M Machine

Leprino Foods, Inc.

Ravenna Locker

- 9 - Redi-Mix, Inc.

SunTech Industries

- 10 - Farmers Cooperative Association

Intermotel Leasing

Kirshner Implement

- 11 - Ravenna Super Foods

Uncle Neal’s

- 12 - La b o r

La b o r Su p p l y A. Employment in the Ravenna labor market, which is defined as the whole of Buffalo County and the total labor market consisting of Buffalo County and the contiguous counties of Adams, Custer, Dawson, Hall, Howard, Kearney, Phelps, and Sherman (annual average 2008): Nonfarm Employment (wage and salary workers) Buffalo County Total Goods‑Producing 5,931 24,416 Manufacturing 4,099 (D) Natural Resources & Construction 1,832 5,645 Trade, Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities 5,804 22,056 Wholesale Trade 940 (D) Retail Trade 4,101 (D) Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities 764 (D) Information 426 (D) Financial Activities 919 4,275 Professional & Business Services 2,513 (D) Education & Health Services 3,896 (D) Leisure & Hospitality 3,244 9,228 Other Services 933 (D) Government 4,318 16,588 TOTAL NONFARM WAGE AND SALARY WORKERS 27,985 101,117 Farm Employment 1,196 8,176 TOTAL EMPLOYMENT 28,418 108,204 B. Commuting Out of County 2,515 N/A C. Unemployment 701 3,339 TOTAL LABOR FORCE 29,119 111,545 D. Estimated number of homemakers, seasonal and part‑time 10,118 workers, and workers who would shift from low‑paying jobs who could be expected to work for industry. E. Estimated number of county high school graduates annually 600 TOTAL POTENTIAL LABOR SUPPLY (B, C, D & E) 13,934 (D) Data not available due to disclosure suppression. Source: Nebraska Workforce Development U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Transportation, Warehousing, Utilities Analysis (BEA), data for 2005 Other Services 2.7% Information U.S. Census 3.3% 1.5%

Financial Activities Government Ravenna and Buffalo County are willing to conduct 3.3% 15.4% a labor survey for a prospective industry. Wholesale Trade 3 .4 %

Natural Resources & Retail Trade Construction 14.7% No n f a r m Wa g e a n d Sa l a r y Em p l o y m e n t 6.5% u f f a l o o u n t y B C Professional & An n u a l Av e r a g e 2008 Business Services 9.0%

Leisure & Hospitality Manufacturing 1 1.6% 14.6%

Education & Health Services 13.9% - 13 - POPULATION DATA

2000 2007 2008 % High % County School Bachelor’s Median Density/Sq. Graduate or Degree or % 65 Yrs. Median Family Location Mile Higher Higher & Over Age Income (est.) Buffalo Co. 43.7 89.2 30.2 11.5 31.1 $57,500 Nebraska 22.3 86.6 23.7 13.3 36.1 $59,800 U.S. 79.6 80.4 24.4 12.6 36.7 $61,500

Buffalo County had 28,274 registered voters in 2008; 68.9 percent voted in the national election compared to 70.2 percent in Nebraska.

Source: U.S. Census, www.census.gov U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2009 Statewide General Election 2008 Results, www.sos.state.ne.us/elec

LABOR POTENTIAL IN THE RAVENNA AREA

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population data U.S. Census Estimates

2007 Estimate Buffalo County Population City of Ravenna — 1,305 Ages/Gender, 2007 Ages Male Female Buffalo County — 44,976 18–24 3,710 3,700 30‑Mile Radius — 94,109 25–44 5,935 5,888 45–64 4,832 4,992

- 14 - Unionization Nebraska has a right to work provision in its constitution. In 2008, 4.2 percent of Nebraska’s private sector wage and salary workers were members of labor unions compared to a national figure of 7.6 percent.

Labor organizations operating in Ravenna:

Company Union BNSF Railway Company Standard railroad unions Ravenna Public Schools Nebraska State Education Association

It is estimated that less than 1 percent of the total nonagricultural labor force in Ravenna is unionized. There have been no known strikes.

Wages - Central Region

Hourly Wage ($)/Percentile Occupation Title 10th 50th 90th Professional Accountants & Auditors 16.71 24.13 41.58 Engineers Civil Engineers 23.00 30.66 43.89 Electrical Engineers 23.62 29.60 46.63 Industrial Engineers 24.77 33.57 44.38 Mechanical Engineers 19.05 32.48 46.78 Computer Programmers 14.74 23.14 37.69 Computer Systems Analysts 13.37 22.90 55.75 Registered Nurses 17.59 24.23 32.53 Retail Hotel, Motel & Resort Desk Clerks 7.11 8.68 10.94 Retail Salespersons 7.05 8.91 15.40 Truck Drivers, Light or Delivery Services 7.58 12.00 24.06 Driver/Sales Workers 7.08 9.97 22.34 Stock Clerks & Order Fillers 7.16 9.21 15.31 Shipping, Receiving & Traffic Clerks 7.49 12.00 17.86 Clerical Bookkeeping, Accounting & Auditing Clerks 8.31 12.88 18.14 Customer Service Representatives 7.64 12.98 19.22 Data Entry Keyers 8.23 11.06 15.91 Secretaries, excl. Legal, Medical & Executive 7.84 11.57 16.13 Office Clerks, General 7.22 9.37 14.80 Receptionists & Information Clerks 8.15 10.43 14.62 Telemarketers 7.81 9.45 15.29 *Wage information taken from Balance of State

- 15 - Hourly Wage ($)/Percentile Occupation Title 10th 50th 90th Unskilled Laborers & Freight, Stock & Material Movers, Hand 7.60 11.16 16.14 Packers & Packagers, Hand 7.25 9.93 14.47 Assemblers & Fabricators, All Other* 10.48 13.72 16.25 Nursing Aides, Orderlies & Attendants 8.40 10.65 13.78 Semi‑Skilled Industrial Truck & Tractor Operators 10.52 16.28 26.51 Truck Drivers, Heavy or Tractor‑Trailer 10.93 17.09 26.19 Maintenance Workers, Machinery 12.69 16.18 20.28 Machine Operators Drilling & Boring Machine Tool Setters/Oper. 10.19 13.05 18.31 Milling & Planing Machine Setters/Oper.* 9.57 14.83 18.16 Grinding, Lapping, Polishing & Buffing Mach. Oper.* 11.09 16.96 21.76 Cutting & Slicing Machine Setters/Oper. 10.75 13.62 15.93 Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Setters/Oper. 8.60 10.55 12.77 Cutting, Punching & Press Machine Setters/Oper. 10.93 17.15 19.75 Multiple Machine Tool Setters/Oper.* 11.90 15.30 19.80 Skilled Automotive Service Technicians & Mechanics 7.98 13.91 23.69 Electricians 13.07 16.06 24.01 Industrial Machinery Mechanics 13.23 18.70 24.76 Machinists 10.98 15.59 19.86 Tool & Die Makers 13.86 19.43 25.48 Welders, Cutters, Solderers & Brazers 11.46 15.21 22.05 Welding, Soldering & Brazing Machine Setters 12.50 16.31 19.08 Technical Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technicians 14.93 30.12 35.92 Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technologists 16.99 23.41 31.84 Computer Operators 9.81 12.33 18.93 *Wage information taken from Balance of State

Source: Nebraska Workforce Development, Occupational Employment Statistics Program, Third Quarter 2010 wage estimates, All Industries, Central Region, http://neblswages.nwd.ne.gov

Production workers are, for the most part, paid on a straight‑time basis rather than an incentive basis.

Fringe Benefits Buffalo County industries estimate fringe benefits range up to 30 percent of wages including vacation; holidays; sick leave; health, life, disability, dental, and vision insurance; retirement; and educational reimbursements.

- 16 - Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n

Ra i l r o a d s Trucklines Ravenna is a division point of the BNSF Railway More than 8,000 licensed motor carriers with Company. The main line serves Ravenna with worldwide connections are based in Nebraska 65 freight trains daily. and serve businesses throughout North America.

Amtrak provides Hastings, 55 miles southeast Bus Line of Ravenna, with rail passenger service east to The Senlow Bus, operated by Community Chicago and west to Denver and San Francisco/ Action Partnerhship of Mid-Nebraska, provides Oakland. The Superliner features a lounge car, transportation for residents to downtown Ravenna coach and first‑class accommodations, dining car as well as Kearney, Grand Island, and other area services, and checked baggage service from most towns. cities. Travel time is 13 1/2 hours to Chicago and 45 hours to the West Coast. Amtrak has one train Prince of the Road, a private company located each way daily. in Ravenna, provides statewide and out-of-state van transportation. The vans are fully equipped Mo t o r to handle passengers with disabilities.

Highways Aquila Limousine Service is a private company located in Ravenna providing luxury limousine Ravenna is served by Nebraska Highways 2 services. (east-west) and 68 (north-south). There are no local load restrictions. Interstate 80 (east-west) is Burlington Trailways serves Kearney, 32 miles 25 miles south and Interstate 29 (north-south) is south of Ravenna, with seven buses daily and 200 miles east of Ravenna. provides bus parcel service. Direct service is available to Omaha, Lincoln, Iowa City, Highway mileage to major cities: Des Moines, Cheyenne, Chicago, Denver, Destination Mileage Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Interconnections are made with other Lincoln 130 transcontinental carriers to major cities in the Omaha 182 United States. Charter bus service is available. Chicago 646 Dallas 668 Eppley Express Shuttle provides direct access from Kearney to the Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Denver 392 the Lincoln Airport, Grand Island, and York with Detroit 912 three buses Monday through Friday, one bus on Kansas City 321 Saturday, and two buses on Sunday. Los Angeles 1,403 Denver Coach provides direct access from Minneapolis 557 Kearney to Scottsbluff, with stops along New York 1,420 Interstate 80 available by reservation. Daily St. Louis 572 shuttle service is also available to the front San Francisco 1,520 range of Colorado and Denver, including Denver International Airport. Denver Coach was recently The viaduct into Ravenna was replaced with a acquired by AmeriStar Transportation Services, unique concrete-filled arch bridge in 2006. which also offers chartered tours through AmeriStar Tours LLC Chartered Motor Coach Service, a Nebraska‑based company.

- 17 - R.Y.D.E. (Reach Your Destination Easily) operates Facilities at the Kearney Regional Airport include “on‑demand” door‑to‑door public transportation pilots lounge, aircraft maintenance and repair, in Buffalo County. Buses operate from 6:00 a.m. refueling, pilot training, charter, air ambulance, to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. agriculture crop spraying, hangar storage, tie down, and other services. Four of the 64 private Ai r planes hangared at the airport are available for charter. The elevation at the airport is 2,131 feet, Nearby airfields for private planes include the the latitude is 40°43’29”N, and the longitude is Loup City Municipal Airport, 21 miles north; 99°00’19”W. the Kearney Regional Airport, 32 miles south of Ravenna; and the Central Nebraska Regional Car rental and free Internet access are available Airport near Grand Island, 33 miles southwest of at the terminal. Ravenna. Airlines serving Kearney and Grand Island: Facilities at the Loup City Municipal Airport include a 3,200-foot paved and lighted runway, Flights a 2,100-foot turf runway, hangars, tie down, and Airlines Daily Destination 100 low lead fuel. The elevation at the airport Kearney 4 Denver is 2,070 feet, the latitude is 41°17'42"N, the Great Lakes International longitude is 98°59'44"W. Aviation (Embraer Brasilia 120) The Kearney Regional Airport provides passenger, Grand Island air freight, and air express services. Public ground transportation is available via rental cars, motel Allegiant Air 2/wk Las Vegas shuttles, and taxi. Great Lakes 3 Kansas City Aviation Runway identification: Ravenna residents also use the Lincoln Airport, Number Length Surface Lighted (two hours) and Eppley Airfield near Omaha 18/36 7,100' concrete high intensity (three hours). 13/31 4,500' concrete med. intensity Wa t e r Nearby water transportation is not available.

BNSF Railway Company

- 18 - Utilities

Electricity General Service:

Ravenna is provided retail electric service Customer Charge: by Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD). Single Phase $19.00 per month Service is provided by a 69 kV transmission Three Phase $23.50 per month line interconnected with NPPD’s 115,000 volt Summer Winter statewide grid. The Ravenna substation is fed 10.54¢ 8.31¢ per kWh for the first from two sources and has a single 6250 kVA 1,000 kWh used per substation transformer that serves all residential, month commercial, and industrial customers with a 10.54¢ 7.04¢ per kWh for the next primary voltage of 12,470 wye. Secondary 2,000 kWh used per voltages can be supplied at 120/208, 120/240, month 240/480, and 277/480 volts. 10.54¢ 6.89¢ per kWh for all Base Electric Rates (effective 1/1/11) additional use Minimum Bill: The Customer Charge, subject Summer bills run from June–September. to applicable Base Rate adjustments Winter bills run from October–May. This rate is subject to application of the Retail Residential Service: Production Cost Adjustment (PCA).

Customer Charge: $16.75 per month Customers who are served from distribution Summer Winter facilities for which NPPD has a Lease Payment or 9.93¢ 7.65¢ per kWh for the first Debt Service obligation and/or a Gross Revenue 750 kWh used per Tax obligation will have the Base Rate adjusted month to include such obligations. 9.93¢ 5.21¢ per kWh for all Commercial Electric Space Heating: additional use Minimum Bill: The Customer Charge, subject Customer Charge: to applicable Base Rate adjustments Single Phase $50.00 per month Three Phase $57.00 per month This rate is subject to application of the Retail Production Cost Adjustment (PCA). Summer Winter 11.93¢ 7.76¢ per kWh for the first Customers who are served from distribution 200 kWh per kW of facilities for which NPPD has a Lease Payment or demand used per month Debt Service obligation and/or a Gross Revenue 4.44¢ 3.28¢ per kWh for all Tax obligation will have the Base Rate adjusted additional use to include such obligations. Minimum Bill: The Customer Charge, subject to applicable Base Rate adjustments

This rate is subject to application of the Retail Production Cost Adjustment (PCA).

- 19 - Customers who are served from distribution High Tension Service: facilities for which NPPD has a Lease Payment or Debt Service obligation and/or a Gross Revenue Customer Charge: $350.00 per month Tax obligation will have the Base Rate adjusted Demand Charge: to include such obligations. Summer Winter General Service Demand: $13.75 $9.00 per kW of billing demand Customer Charge: Energy Charge: Single Phase $90.00 per month Summer Winter Three Phase $100.00 per month 4.42¢ 3.45¢ per kWh for all Summer Winter on‑peak energy 12.20¢ 8.23¢ per kWh for the first 3.50¢ 2.50¢ per kWh for all 200 kWh per kW off‑peak energy of demand used per Minimum Bill: The Customer Charge, subject month to applicable Base Rate adjustments 4.27¢ 3.28¢ per kWh for all additional use This rate is subject to application of the Retail Minimum Bill: The Customer Charge, subject Production Cost Adjustment (PCA). to applicable Base Rate adjustments Energy Time Periods - For the monthly billing This rate is subject to application of the Retail periods, the on‑peak and off‑peak hours for energy Production Cost Adjustment (PCA). (all based on “Central” time) are as follows:

Customers who are served from distribution Energy On‑Peak Off‑Peak facilities for which NPPD has a Lease Payment or Season Hours Hours Debt Service obligation and/or a Gross Revenue Summer 10:01 a.m.–10:00 p.m. All Other Tax obligation will have the Base Rate adjusted to Monday–Saturday Hours include such obligations. This rate is also subject Winter 8:01 a.m.–10:00 p.m. All Other to various adders and discounts depending upon Monday–Saturday Hours the customer’s requirements, metering, etc. All hours on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, NPPD has off‑peak and load management rates Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving available to qualifying customers. Day, and Christmas Day shall be considered off‑peak hours. Sample Cost per kWh for General Service Demand: Industries must take delivery at or be adjacent to a substation and own and maintain the primary Annual dedicated line and any other facilities beyond the Average substation delivery point. kW kWh ¢/kWh1 100 30,000 9.52 Customers who are served from distribution 100 50,000 7.70 facilities for which NPPD has a Lease Payment or 300 90,000 9.26 Debt Service obligation and/or a Gross Revenue Tax obligation will have the Base Rate adjusted 300 150,000 7.29 to include such obligations. 500 150,000 9.20 500 180,000 8.39 NPPD has off‑peak and load management rates available to qualifying customers. 1Includes Lease Payment and Gross Revenue Tax.

- 20 - Sample Cost per kWh for High Tension As specific requirements of an industrial Service: prospect become available, information on gas service availability and applicable rates can be Annual obtained from SourceGas’s Service Center at Average (800) 563‑0012. kW kWh ¢/kWh1 1,000 300,000 7.91 Other Fuels 2,500 750,000 7.83 LP Gas 2,500 1,250,000 6.21 5,000 1,500,000 7.81 LP gas is available for residential, commercial, 5,000 2,500,000 6.19 and industrial uses in Ravenna at Farmers 10,000 6,400,000 5.66 Cooperative Association.

1Includes Lease Payment. Does not include Gross Oil Revenue Tax. Oil is available for residential, commercial, The annual average ¢/kWh cost assumes and industrial uses in Ravenna at Farmers 46 percent of monthly energy is consumed Cooperative Association. during on‑peak hours of the four summer months and 53 percent during on‑peak hours of the Water eight winter months. The municipal water system in Ravenna is Prospective customers should contact Nebraska supplied by four wells, which have an average Public Power District, (877) 275‑6773, www depth of 210 feet. The system, serving the entire .nppd.com, for further information regarding city population, has a combined pumping capacity electric rates and service. of 1,500 gallons per minute and an underground storage capacity of 220,000 gallons. The average The Dawson Public Power District, a wholesale daily demand is 270,000 gallons, and the historic power customer of Nebraska Public Power peak daily demand is 770,000 gallons. The system District, serves the rural area surrounding has a maximum capacity of 2,380,000 gallons per Ravenna. For more information regarding day. The static pressure is 65 pounds per square electrical services in the Dawson Public Power inch. District service area, contact Robert Heins, manager, Lexington, Nebraska, (308) 324-2386, The quality of water in Ravenna does not [email protected], www.dawsonpower necessitate a water treatment plant. The water .com. table has dropped six feet in five years due to drought conditions, with a 10-foot seasonal Natural Gas variation. Natural gas is supplied to Ravenna by SourceGas The color of the water is clear and the hardness, through a four‑inch transmission pipeline with an in parts per million, is 241. The tap water operating pressure of approximately 500 pounds temperature varies from 65° in winter to 69° in per square inch. summer.

SourceGas is also the distributor of natural gas Chemical Analysis (parts per million) within the community, serving approximately Hydrogen Ion Concentration 7.9 500 residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Calcium 64 Total Solids 297 Natural gas is available for residential and Magnesium 20 commercial uses. Availability of natural gas for Iron 0 industrial uses is subject to individual situations. - 21 - Nitrate 0.7 Regular Business Contributors: (Based on winter quarter water usage) Manganese 0 Chloride 6 $36.00 for the first 1,000 gallons Fluoride 0.24 $2.00 per 1,000 gallons for amounts in excess Sulfate 6 of 1,000 gallons Total Alkalinity 260 Minimum Bill: $36.00 per month Sodium 23 Commercial & Industrial: Total Hardness 241 (Based on water usage of the previous month) Potassium 7 $1,104.00 Base Rate for the first 1,000 gal. Water Rates (effective 8/1/04) $1.00 per 1,000 gallons over the base rate A tapping fee of $600.00 is charged for service Minimum Bill: $1,104.00 per month to new construction up to a two-inch line and $800.00 for a line larger than two inches. Three new cells were added to the lagoon in 2007 at a cost of $2,500,000. This project was financed Residential, Commercial & Industrial: by a loan from the United States Department of Agriculture, grant money, and city funds. Customer Charge: $7.50 per month First 100,000 gal. $1.10 per 1,000 gal. Solid Waste Disposal Excess of 100,000 gal. $1.00 per 1,000 gal. Privately owned waste removal services are Minimum Bill: $7.50 per month available in Ravenna. Wastes are hauled to the Grand Island landfill, 30 miles southeast of ewerage S Ravenna. Ravenna has a municipal sanitary sewerage Solid Waste Removal Rates (effective 1/1/08) system and a storm sewer system. The five-cell lagoon was built in 1964 with an addition in 2007. Residential: The average daily flow is 19,000 gallons and the historic peak daily discharge is 500,000 gallons $12.00 per month, plus $0.25 per month for (controlled semiannual lagoon discharge). trash service charge $3.50 for second trash tote Sewer‑Use Charges (effective 12/1/08) Commercial & Industrial: A $525.00 tapping fee is charged for new service. Negotiable Residential: (Based on winter quarter water usage) Recycling The Community Improvement Advisory Board is $23.00 for the first 1,000 gallons currently working on a recycling program. $1.00 per 1,000 gallons for amounts in excess of 1,000 gallons Minimum Bill: $23.00 per month

- 22 - Co m m u n i c a t i o n s

Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Pa c k a g e De l i v e r y Se r v i c e s Nebraska Central Telephone Company Overnight express service availability: (NCTC), headquartered in Gibbon, Nebraska, provides telecommunications services to U.S. Ravenna using digital switching. Ravenna is Federal Postal Express UPS Service also on a self‑healing fiber optic ring connected to other NCTC communities. Diverse fiber optic Latest Pick‑up 10:30 am 1:00 pm 4:30 pm Time routes are used to connect to interconnecting telecommunications companies. Fiber service is Earliest Delivery 4:30 pm 1:00 pm 8:30 am available for private line/special access services Next Day Yes Yes No and digital data services are available as is Delivery Guarantee DSL/ADSL (broadband Internet). The Ravenna location, remotely monitored, is a manned Saturday No Yes Yes Delivery office. Guarantee

Ta r i f f e d Ra t e s (effective 9/01) Ne w s p a p e r Residence Line $17.50 The Ravenna News, the local weekly newspaper, Business Line $27.50 has 1,400 subscribers. Daily papers delivered locally are the Kearney Hub, Grand Island In t e r n e t Independent, and Omaha World‑Herald. Local Internet service providers include NCTC, Charter Pipeline (Charter Communications), Ra d i o Alltel, Hamilton, AT&T Internet Services, Radio stations carrying local news: Internet USA, KDS Internet, Carroll’s Web‑Kansas Independent, and R Com. Call Letters Frequency Location KGFW-AM 1340 KHz Kearney Po s t Of f i c e KXPN-AM 1460 KHz Kearney The Ravenna post office provides house‑to‑house KKPR-FM 98.9 MHz Kearney delivery service and has one mail receipt and KQKQ-FM 105.9 MHz Kearney one dispatch daily. The nearest general mail KRNY-FM 102.3 MHz Kearney facility is located in Grand Island, 34 miles KLPR-FM 91.3 MHz Kearney southeast of Ravenna. KKOR-FM 101.5 MHz Kearney KMMJ-AM 750 KHz Grand Island KRGI-AM 1430 KHz Grand Island

- 23 - Te l e v i s i o n Cable television service is available in Ravenna by Charter, Dish Network, and DirecTV. Television stations carrying local news:

Call Letters Channel Location KHGI 13 Kearney KTVG 17 Kearney KHAS 5 Hastings KGIN 11 Grand Island KLNE 3 Lexington

Ravenna News

United States Post Office in Ravenna

- 24 - Ta x St r u c t u r e

Va l u e s Fo r Ta x Le v y Pu r p o s e s —Ci t y o f Ra v e n n a All real property is subject to tax at market value. Agricultural land is valued at 75 percent of its actual value. Personal property that is used in a trade or business and is depreciable is subject to tax at its “net book value.” All other personal property is exempt from taxation.

Actual Valuation 2006 2007 2008 Real Estate $32,746,120 $36,077,140 $38,557,615 Personal Property 13,442,068 13,090,648 67,723,972 Special (railroad and utilities) 2,526,929 2,605,568 2,919,097 TOTAL $48,715,117 $51,773,356 $109,200,684

Ta x Ra t e (Dollars and cents per $100 of actual value)

2006 2007 2008 City $0.500000 $0.500000 $0.400626 County .379993 .397713 .460000 School District 1.192383 1.193023 1.049958 Community College .081660 .080161 .078665 Educational Service Unit .015000 .015000 .015000 Natural Resource District .029891 .028519 .028519 Agricultural Society .022734 .021850 .010898 TOTAL $2.221661 $2.236266 $2.043666

Ci t y Sa l e s Ta x The city of Ravenna imposes a 1 percent city sales tax.

Lo c a l Bo n d e d Indebtedness As of December 31, 2008:

City—Revenue Bonds None City—General Obligation Bonds None School District $1,205,000 County $24,500,000

- 25 - Sc h o o l Bo n d Is s u e s

Date Original Unpaid Balance Interest Type Issued Amount As of 12/31/08 Rate (%) Date Due General Obligation 2/95 $2,350,000 $1,205,000 4.9–5.7 12/14

Co u n t y Bo n d Is s u e s

Date Original Unpaid Balance Interest Type Issued Amount As of 12/31/08 Rate (%) Date Due County Jail 12/1/08 $24,500,000 $24,500,000 4.0–6.0 6/15/38

Ravenna City Hall

Ravenna Fire Department

- 26 - Lo c a l Go v e r n m e n t

Co u n t y Go v e r n m e n t the corporate limits is 5. Annual expenditures for fire protection for the past three years averaged Buffalo County has 26 townships and is governed $76,000. The 2008–09 budget for fire protection by a seven-member board of supervisors, is $84,000. elected by popular vote for four-year terms. The next general election will be held in 2010. Equipment in the fire department: The county budget for 2008–09 is $45,705,269. Buffalo County belongs to the South Central Year/Make Description Economic Development District, which includes City 12 counties. 1949 GMC 350 gal. per min. Zoning classifications are: 1980 Chevrolet 900 gal. per min. 2002 Ford Ambulance AG Agricultural 2006 Ford Ambulance AGR Agricultural/Residential 1978 Dodge Equipment van C Commercial Rural I Industrial 1978 Chevrolet 250 gal. per min. grass rig 1983 Ford 300 gal. per min. grass rig Mu n i c i p a l Go v e r n m e n t 1981 GMC 1,500 gal. tanker Ravenna, a second‑class city, has a mayor‑council 2002 Freightliner 1,700 gal. per min. form of government. The next election will be held in 2010. The 2008–09 actual budget is La w En f o r c e m e n t $6,925,771. Police Department Municipal officials are: The Ravenna Police Department is staffed Term of by one police chief, two full‑time and Title Office one part‑time police officers, and one part-time support person. Equipment in the department Elected at Large includes three radio‑equipped cars (including Mayor 4 Years a 2008 Ford Explorer), radio communication, Council Members (4) 4 Years radar, on‑board computer, on‑board cameras, and Appointed other standard equipment. Annual expenditure City Attorney 1 Year for the last three years averaged $250,000. The City Clerk/Treasurer 1 Year 2008–09 budget is $284,000. City Engineer 1 Year Sheriff’s Department

Fi r e Pr o t e c t i o n The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department in Kearney employs 14 road patrol deputies, Fire protection is provided in the community and 1 D.A.R.E. deputy, 1 K-9 deputy, 1 civil the Rural Fire Protection District by a 34-member process deputy, 2 investigators, 1 community volunteer fire department; 14 members are service officer, 2 secretaries, 1 communications Emergency Medical Technicians, 1 member is a supervisor, 14 communications officers, certified Paramedic, and 3 are First Responders. 1 operations captain, and 1 chief deputy. Regular 24-hour patrol provides protection to existing There are 85 fire hydrants in Ravenna. The fire industries. insurance classification both inside and outside

- 27 - The Buffalo County 911 Communications Center or asphalt. There are no local load restrictions. is a division of the Support Services Division of Ninety‑nine percent of the streets have curbs and the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office. Located in gutters. the Kearney/Buffalo County Law Enforcement Center, the 911 center is responsible for all Street maintenance includes street sweeping, requests for service from police, fire, and snow removal, and grading. emergency medical services. The center, Four blocks of streets in northwest Ravenna utilizing enhanced 911, is staffed by 1 part-time were paved in 2007. The project was funded by a and 12 full‑time communications officers and Community Development Block Grant. 1 supervisor and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round. All communications officers Building and Zoning are certified to operate the teletype system, which allows communications with any other law Regulations enforcement agency in the nation. They are also The Nebraska State Building Codes are enforced certified in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) within the community. to provide pre-arrival instructions to emergency medical calls, information then relayed to the Local zoning classifications are: responding rescue unit, which virtually cuts the response time for medical assistance down to AGR Agricultural District zero. R-1 Residential Crime rates per 1,000 population, 2007: R-2 Residential R-3 Residential Violent Property C-1 General Commercial Location Crimes Crimes C-2 Highway Commercial Buffalo County 2.1 27.9 I Industrial Nebraska 3.0 30.8 U.S. 4.7 32.6 Planning State Patrol There are nine planning commission members in Ravenna. Each of the nine members is appointed Troop C of the Nebraska State Patrol is for a three-year term. headquartered in Grand Island, 34 miles southeast of Ravenna, and serves 17 counties. A Comprehensive Plan is currently being updated Seven troopers and one sergeant from the Road by RDG of Omaha. Completion of the plan is Operations Division are assigned to the Kearney/ expected in 2009. Gibbon/Ravenna area as well as others assigned to the Criminal and Drug Division.

Streets Ravenna has 14 miles of streets in the community, 13 miles of which are hard‑surfaced with concrete

- 28 - Co m m u n i t y Fa c i l i t i e s

Sc h o o l s a n d Co l l e g e s Ravenna School System

Teacher/ Computer/ Type of School Classrooms Students Pupil Ratio Pupil Ratio Elementary (Pre–K–6) 18 238 1:12 1:4 Jr.–Sr. High School (7–12) 17 227 1:12 1:3

School District No. 69 in Buffalo County covers 1965. Through its Kearney headquarters, more 204 square miles and had a 2007–08 actual than 90 public and private school districts with valuation of $224,687,222 and an actual valuation an enrollment of approximately 30,000 students per student of $483,198. This Class 3 District is receive services in Network Information accredited by the state of Nebraska and North Systems (help desk and consultation, hardware Central Association. and software installation, network operations management, technology planning, security The 2007–08 school operating expenses totaled audits, technical training and support, software $4,919,957, with an average cost per pupil of development, software training, network and $10,580. systems administration training and support, The maximum capacity of the elementary school, technical applications training, distance education built in 1996, is 350. The junior-senior high cooperative, media center, and computer/audio school was built in 1968 and has a maximum visual service center, star lab), Special Services capacity of 300. (special education, supervision, audiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, Test Results preschool handicapped, resource teachers, speech pathology, school nurse coordination, % Students Average psychological cooperative, vocational Name Taking Test Score evaluations and transition cooperative, 7th Grade Terra 100 54% assistive technology, and traumatic brain injury Nova consortium), Professional Development (federal ACT 70 22.6 and state grant consortium coordination, school‑wide and individual professional training, It is estimated that 96 percent of the eighth grade migrant education, English as a second language, students finish high school, 87 percent of the Title I cooperative, student academic graduating seniors pursue a college degree, and competitions, and leadership skill development), 13 percent of the graduating seniors enter the and Cooperative Purchasing Programs. labor market or military. Special Schools Vocational courses offered in the high school include business, agricultural education, industrial Mid-Nebraska Individual Services in Kearney technology, and family and consumer science. provides services in homes, workplaces, and in the community for people with developmental Ravenna Public Schools offer a life skills program disabilities. A range of support, from part‑time to for qualified handicapped students and a program 24‑hour assistance, is provided according to the for severely profound handicapped students. individual needs of the person served. Evaluation, teaching, placement, and ongoing assistance are Educational Service Unit all part of a systematic approach to ensuring a Educational Service Unit 10 (ESU) has served person’s quality of life. 11 counties, including the Ravenna area, since - 29 - Elementary & Junior-Senior High School

Ravenna Public Schools’ Track & Football Field

- 30 - Vocational Rehabilitation is a state agency/ traditional lecture/lab class settings. Some of the branch of the Department of Education in Kearney alternative delivery methods used include: providing career counseling, job retraining, and employment services to anyone with a physical, —Independent Study: Allows students to work learning, or psychiatric disability. If the disability on college credit classes at their own pace, using causes the person to have difficulty finding course materials from the campuses. The staff employment or maintaining employment, they serve as contacts between the student and campus generally qualify for this program. faculty and administration.

Vocational Rehabilitation services include —Distance Learning: Uses several evaluation, counseling and guidance, state‑of‑the‑art teaching technologies, including rehabilitation technology services, independent video conferencing, satellite broadcasts, and living, and job placement. Internet courses to deliver college credit courses.

The Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Adult Basic Education Program: This program Center was established by the Nebraska is offered by Central Community College in Legislature in 1879 when 32 acres were donated cooperation with the Nebraska Department of by the city of Kearney to construct a two‑story Education and the federal government. The brick building and school to house juvenile program is designed to provide the opportunity to offenders. The buildings, financed by an gain basic education skills at no cost to the student. appropriation of $10,000 from the State The program has four major components: Legislature, were completed in 1881. The —Adult Basic Education for those with less than administration strives toward rehabilitation of an eighth grade education. young men through a program of rehabilitation, education, service work, and recreation. The goal —English as a Second Language for non‑English is to return a well‑rounded young man to his speaking persons wishing to learn to speak, read, community where he can serve as a useful citizen. and write English. The program has a capacity for 150 students from ages 12 to 19. —High School Completion (General Educational Development—GED) for those with less than a Community College high school diploma.

Ravenna is part of the Central Community —Living Skills for adults wishing to improve College which encompasses a 25‑county area. The their basic life skills in consumer economics, college is governed by an 11‑member Board of health, community resources, government and Governors elected by the citizens of the counties law, and occupational knowledge. served. Administrative offices are located in Grand Island with campuses in Hastings, Community Education Program: Avocational/ Columbus, and Grand Island and off‑campus recreational courses are offered to provide students centers in Holdrege, Lexington, and Kearney. an opportunity to explore and develop skills Classes are available through extended learning for personal interest, leisure, and recreational programs in approximately 80 communities activities. within the college’s service area. During the Business and Professional Training: Central 2007–08 academic year, 25,400 students were Community College is a primary source of training enrolled in Central Community College courses. and education for business, industry, agricultural Certificate, Diploma, and Degree Programs: association, civic groups, governmental agencies, Central Community College offers 33 career and and other organizations within its 25‑county technical education programs, including more service area. College staff provide expertise in than 700 vocational technical and academic their fields of study to develop and coordinate transfer college credit courses. Classes are specially‑tailored short courses, workshops, and offered by multiple delivery methods, including seminars to meet specific training needs. - 31 - Central Community College works with area for students who want to complete the industries, retail establishments, and other first two years of a bachelors degree before agencies and organizations in delivering various transferring to a four‑year college or university. In training programs. addition, the college offers classes in communities throughout its 25‑county service area, online Central Community College offers 33 career learning, and training and development for and technical education programs with a focus businesses, industries, and other organizations. on degree, diploma, and certificate programs requiring two years or less to complete. The For more information on Central Community college also offers an academic transfer program College, visit www.cccneb.edu.

Central Community College 2007–08 Academic Year (Note: Numbers can be duplicated between award levels) Program Degree Diploma Certificate Academic Transfer 130 NA NA Agriculture 10 7 8 Associate Degree in Nursing 71 NA NA Auto Body Technology 10 2 86 Automotive Technology 3 7 28 Business Administration/Accounting 71 57 94 Commercial Art 8 5 8 Commercial Horticulture 3 6 11 Construction Technology 10 15 56 Criminal Justice 7 0 0 Dental Assisting 10 9 NA Dental Hygiene 15 NA NA Diesel Technology 19 0 27 Drafting 22 12 29 Electrical Technology 6 12 34 Electronics Technology 12 14 34 Early Childhood Education 23 20 56 Health Information Management Services 7 16 5 Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration 1 1 11 Hospitality Management & Culinary Arts 4 0 0 Human Services 22 14 13 Industrial Technology 12 6 80 Information Technology 13 25 101 Machine Shop Technology 4 4 14 Media Arts 8 11 21 Medical Assisting 12 1 6 Medical Technology 9 NA NA Office Technology 25 40 53 NA-Not available

- 32 - Central Community College 2007–08 Academic Year (Note: Numbers can be duplicated between award levels) Program Degree Diploma Certificate Paralegal 3 6 5 Parts Sales & Management 0 6 1 Practical Nursing NA 65 NA Quality Control 3 NA 1 Welding Technology 7 6 20 NA-Not available

Colleges and Universities 170 undergraduate major areas of study, 25 pre‑professional programs, and 34 graduate The University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), degree programs. Students from all of Nebraska’s www.unk.edu, is a student‑centered regional 93 counties, more than 40 states, and nearly hub of intellectual, cultural, and artistic 50 foreign countries are attracted to UNK’s excellence that has been a prominent part of record of academic achievement. UNK is the Nebraska’s higher education landscape for more only campus in Nebraska to participate in the than a century. As one of four campuses of the National Student Exchange that allows students University of Nebraska, UNK offers access to all to attend one of 175 other universities or colleges the opportunities of a major public university. across the continent for a semester or a year, UNK has a wide variety of programs that lead often at UNK tuition rates. On‑campus housing to exciting careers, nationally‑renowned faculty, is available in nearly a dozen traditional‑style and a rich and diverse campus life. But what suite‑style residence halls, two Greek complexes, truly distinguishes UNK is its commitment to and one family-style university apartment providing an outstanding education in a small and complex. personal setting. It is a university that quickly Opportunities for a full student-life are endless transforms 6,500 students from across the globe with more than 150 student organizations, into a close‑knit, supportive community of friends. enriching music and preforming arts programs, It is a place they will forever call “home.” lively intramurals, and 17 intercollegiate Founded in 1903 by the Nebraska State sports. UNK creates a diverse and enriching Legislature, the Nebraska State Normal School environment. began classes in September 1905. In 1921, With a student‑to‑faculty ratio of 25 or reflecting the rapid growth in enrollment and less:1, UNK’s students benefit from the need for teachers, the name was changed to the knowledge and mentoring of nearly 400 faculty Nebraska State Teachers College at Kearney. widely‑recognized for excellence in both Then, in 1963, it became Kearney State College scholarship and teaching. Moreover, in the last after comprehensive changes were made to decade, the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Nebraska’s college system. On July 1, 1991, 235‑acre campus has undergone remarkable the campus joined the University of Nebraska transformation, as investments totaling more system and became the University of Nebraska at than $30 million have significantly improved Kearney, beginning a new era. academic buildings, residence halls, the Diversity and experience are abundant with some Nebraskan Student Union, and Foster Field. In 6,500 students enrolled in UNK’s four colleges— 2008 a new, premiere, suite-style residence hall Business and Technology, Education, Fine Arts opened. A major addition is being constructed onto and Humanities, and Natural and Social Bruner Hall, which will include several state-of- Sciences—with choices from among the-art labs and a planetarium.

- 33 - Enrollment & Degrees Conferred by College 2007–2008 Academic Year Degrees College Fall 2008 Enrollment Baccalaureate Masters/Specialist Business & Technology 1,336 332 24 Education 1,955 254 216 Fine Arts & Humanities 761 173 18 Natural & Social Sciences 1,755 280 39 University College— 736 N/A N/A Pre-professional academic programs Total 6,543 1,039 297 NA - Not available

Other Schools Ch u r c h e s Colleges, universities and community colleges Number of frequently attended by Ravenna High School Denomination Churches graduates include: Catholic 1 Community/ Lutheran, Missouri Synod 1 College or University Mileage United Church of Christ 1 Kearney 32 United Methodist 1 University of Nebraska at Kearney Central Community College, He a l t h Ca r e Kearney Learning Center Clinics Grand Island 34 Grand Island College The Ravenna Medical Clinic, operated by the Central Community College, Good Samaritan Health Systems of Kearney, Grand Island Campus is staffed daily by physicians, nurses, and a College Park lab technician. X-Ray and minor surgery are preformed at the clinic. Hastings 55 Hastings College Rescue Squad Central Community College, Eleven volunteer emergency medical technicians, Hastings Campus one paramedic, and three first responders in the Lincoln 130 Ravenna Volunteer Fire Department operate the University of Nebraska-Lincoln department’s two rescue units while responding Nebraska Wesleyan University to emergency calls. Union College Hospital Omaha 183 University of Nebraska at Omaha Good Samaritan Health Systems (www.gshs University of Nebraska Medical Center .org) is a regional, nonprofit health care provider

- 34 - Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Congregational/United Church of Christ

United Methodist Church

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church

- 35 - Ravenna Medical & Dental Clinic

Ravenna Good Samaritan Center

Ravenna Public Library

- 36 - serving more than 311,000 people in a service by Good Samaritan Hospital through its AirCare area covering more than 44,886 square miles program. in central and western Nebraska and northern Kansas. The Kearney‑based health system is a Good Samaritan Hospital has a total of 207 beds member of the Catholic Health Initiatives, the and is accredited by the Joint Commission on largest Catholic health network in the nation. Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the Good Samaritan Health Systems is governed by a College of American Pathologists, the American local Board of Directors. Association of Blood Banks, Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and Included within Good Samaritan Health Systems is accredited through the American College of are Kearney’s Good Samaritan Hospital and Surgeons for its trauma program and its tumor Richard H. Young Hospital, Good Samaritan registry. Licensed by the Nebraska Department Hospital Foundation, and the Family Practice of Health and Human Services, the hospital is Residency program along with family practice certified by the U.S. Department of Health and clinics in Ravenna, Holdrege, and Alma. Human Services.

Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, 32 miles The hospital was originally built in 1924; south of Ravenna, is a medical‑surgical, acute care five additions have been completed since 1980. hospital. The hospital provides an inpatient care A new medical office building (MOB) opened program in the broad general services of medicine, in 1999. The MOB houses a 29,000 square surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, coronary intensive foot Health Development Center featuring a care, neonatal intensive care, and medical and state‑of‑the‑art Wellness/Fitness Center and one radiation oncology. Rehabilitation services are of the nation’s three Turttle® Pools. enhanced through an inpatient rehabilitation unit and industrial rehabilitation known as Company In 2002 Good Samaritan received approval and Care. Comprehensive diagnostic and treatment funding from Catholic Health Initiatives, its services support the inpatient care program. These parent company, for a three‑phase construction/ services include pathology, clinical laboratory, expansion project. The first phase was completed blood bank, histopathology, EEG, EKG, MRI, in 2004, phase two was completed in 2008, and respiratory therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, the third phase is currently under construction. radiology, CT scanner, nuclear medicine, Richard H. Young Hospital (RYH) in Kearney renal dialysis, ultrasound, echocardiography, is the premier behavioral health center in the angiography, diagnostic cardiac catheterization, region. The hospital was completed in 1986 and home care services, pulmonary function offers a full array of behavioral health services for laboratory, and radiation therapy. Open‑heart a variety of age groups. Inpatient, day treatment, surgery has been performed at Good Samaritan and outpatient services are available for all Hospital since 1993. ages. A residential treatment center featuring Emergency medical services for the city and dual‑diagnosis treatment on the RYH campus is region are also supplied by Good Samaritan also available for treating adolescent females. Hospital—a Level II Trauma Center. Good Richard Young Hospital provides treatment by Samaritan was the first hospital to operate a a multidisciplinary team under the direction of a 911 EMS program in Nebraska and has dedicated psychiatrist. ambulances for EMS and long‑distance calls. The Emergency Services umbrella at Good Samaritan Nu r s i n g Ho m e s also includes 24‑hour emergency room coverage The Ravenna Good Samaritan Nursing Home, by a full staff or highly trained emergency built in 1963, is a 67-bed skilled medical facility room/trauma physicians and supportive clinical with 14 beds dedicated for Alzheimer’s disease or staff, and a team of skilled emergency medical other related memory loss disorders. The home is technicians/paramedics on duty 24 hours per day. Medicare/Medicaid certified and approved by the Helicopter air ambulance service is also provided Veterans Administration. Twenty-four hour care is - 37 - provided for persons following hospitalization or courts; skate board park; an area for tractor pulls, those requiring short-term rehabilitative care and demolition derbies, and mud drags; drinking those unable to live independently. Occupational water; and rest rooms. Three playgrounds in therapy is offered for the upper extremities and Ravenna have new and updated playground neuromuscular disorders. Physical therapy, equipment. speech/language therapy, restorative services, IV and wound care, in‑house respite care, dementia The city received a grant in 2007 from the care, sub‑acute care, hospice care, lifeline Nebraska Arts Council to develop Mural Park. In services, licensed dietary consultant, therapeutic 2008 grants were received from the Arboretum, home‑cooked diets, pharmacy consultant, Nebraska Department of Roads, and Nebraska physician visits, social services, housekeeping Forest Service for plantings and landscaping at service, laundry services, social activities, Mural Park and Caboose Park. visiting clergy, beauty and barber services, private Programs are offered in Red Cross swimming, and semi‑private rooms with phone and cable T-ball, softball, and baseball. TV readiness, individual plan of care, family support group resources, volunteer opportunities, Area facilities: transportation for medical appointments or shopping excursions, and daily devotions and Boating — Facilities at Buffalo Bible study. County Lake, 1 1/2 miles; and Li b r a r y Sherman Reservoir, 26 miles The Ravenna Public Library contains Bowling — One 8-lane bowling 14,600 volumes and has an average annual alley circulation of 11,000. The Buffalo County Campgrounds — Facilities at Loup River, Bookmobile provides service to Ravenna every 1 mile; Buffalo County two weeks. The Ravenna Public Library has a Recreation Area; and preschool story time, summer reading program, Masil’s Trailer Park book club, reading buddy program, friends of Fishing — Excellent fishing in the library, home delivery, and interlibrary loan Buffalo County Lake, program. Internet is available for patrons. Loup River, and Sherman Reservoir Da y c a r e Fa c i l i t i e s Golf Courses — One private 9-hole Little Angels Child Care Center, built in 2004, grass greens course is licensed by Health and Human Services for with clubhouse 50 children ranging from 6 weeks to 13 years old. Hunting — Excellent hunting for Eight CPR/first aid certified employees and a pheasants, deer, ducks, preschool teacher are on staff. Additional services squirrels, and rabbits provided include holiday celebrations, nutritious Racquetball/ — One court meals, field trips, library visits, transportation to Handball Courts head start, swimming lessons, and little Bluejays. Sand Volleyball — Three courts Trips are taken to the park, Seneca Sunrise, and Skating — Roller skating in city other community resources. auditorium and skate park Re c r e a t i o n Swimming — Municipal pool with bathhouse Ravenna has five city parks covering seven acres. Park facilities include swimming pool; picnic Tennis — One paved and lighted areas; tables and benches; playground equipment; court sand volleyball courts; three ball parks; tennis Theaters — Within 35 miles - 38 - City Park

Skateboard Park

Swimming Pool

- 39 - Ravenna Golf Course

Ballfield

Ravenna Veterans Memorial Wall

- 40 - Annevar (Ravenna spelled backward) is held lake was cleaned and stocked with game fish and annually for four days in June. This celebration, a new handicapped fishing dock was constructed. drawing more than 6,000 people, is complete The area features picnic tables, playground with midway, barbecue, demolition derby, sand equipment, rest rooms, camping, and overnight volleyball, 3 on 3 basketball, kiddie games, trailer parking as well as fishing and boating Annevar queen contest, princess and prince facilities. contest, tractor pull, float and kiddie parades, teen dance, quilt show, flower show, frog hop, Nebraska Highway 2 from Grand Island through and turtle races. Ravenna and west to Alliance was designated as the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway. This Summer recreation programs include Legion 275‑mile byway is one of nine Nebraska scenic Baseball, boys’ baseball, girls’ softball, men’s byways. slow-pitch softball, golf leagues, bowling leagues, weight lifting, Red Cross swimming lessons, Cultural Activities canoeing and tubing, and trail rides along the Cultural activities are provided by Friends of the rivers and through sandhill pastures. Library, Quilters Guild, and Ravenna Historical The Senior Citizens Center offers various Society. activities, including exercise class, bridge club, bingo, art/craft class, cards, and monthly blood Ho u s i n g pressure clinics. Noon lunches are provided at the New Construction center and for home delivery. The center is also available for rent to the public. Thirteen new homes were constructed in 2006, 2007, and 2008 and it is estimated two will be Bluejay Headquarter Youth Center, financed built in 2009. entirely by grants and local fund-raising, is open to students grades 5 through 12 on school The city of Ravenna received a grant for six new days. The youth center has a student study area homes to be built and down payment assistance with Internet access, big screen TV with theater be given to purchasers. Community Development surround sound for movies, audio electronics for Block Grant funds were also received to assist music and dances, pool table, ping pong table, homeowners with housing rehabilitation. foss ball table, and air hockey table as well as table-top board games and vending machines. Ravenna Housing Market (as of 12/1/08): Special weekend events are planned by the Youth Advisory Board and director. Number of Homes on the Market Single Family - 21 Ravenna Veterans Memorial Wall was Avg. Selling Prices (New and Existing) constructed in 2004 to honor those who served in Single Family Home the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast 2,500 sq. ft. ‑ 3 bedroom $168,900 Guard, and National Guard or Army Reserves. The inscription on the center granite reads, “All 1,600 sq. ft. ‑ 3 & 4 bedroom $113,700 gave some and some gave all.” Individual bricks 1,000 sq. ft. - 2 & 3 bedroom $77,400 bearing the names of service men and women Number of Single Family Homes surround the center granite. for Sale by Price (New and Existing) Less than $100,000 12 A statue of John Pesek, world champion wrestler from Ravenna, is located downtown. The statue $100,001–$150,000 7 was funded by $1,500 donations and a matching $150,001–$200,000 2 grant from the Nebraska Arts Council. The bank Rentals basement was dedicated in his honor. Apartment - 2 bedroom $350–$450 Buffalo County Recreation Area and Lake, Apartment Vacancy Rate 0% one mile east of Ravenna, covers 100 acres. The - 41 - Low Cost and/or Retirement Housing Assisted Living

Carriage House Apartments is comprised of Seneca Sunrise LLC, opened in 2001, is licensed four 2-bedroom units. by the state of Nebraska for 50 people and is Medicaid waiver certified. Locally owned and The Grand Manor, a 19-unit, low-cost housing operated, licensed medication aides are on staff facility, was built in 1971. The facility, with 24 hours a day. The facility offers assisted and 5 two-bedroom and 14 one‑bedroom apartments, independent care with registered and licensed was upgraded in 2007. practical nurses. Gressley Apartments was constructed in 1967 with seven apartments. Each apartment contains Fi n a n c i a l 720 square feet. As of December 31, 2008: Ravenna Village Apartments, constructed in 1996, has eight 2-bedroom units. Capital Name Accounts Deposits Loans A Housing Task Force Committee was established ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ thousand dollars ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ in 2007 to assess the housing needs in Ravenna Town and Country Bank and to consider the various options available to $10,879 $77,098 $65,418 meet those needs.

Town & Country Bank

- 42 - Carriage House Apartments

Grand Manor

Gressley Apartments

Ravenna Village Apartments

Seneca Sunrise LLC

- 43 - Bluejay Headquarters Youth Center

Annevar

New Housing Development

Little Angles Child Care Center

- 44 - Co m m u n i t y Se r v i c e s

Pr o f e s s i o n a l

Attorneys...... 1 Auctioneers...... 1 Certified Public Accountants...... 1 Chiropractors...... 1 Dentists...... 1 Medical Doctors (practicing in Ravenna) —family practitioners...... 1 Nurse Practitioners...... 1 Nurses, Registered...... 3 Optometrists...... 1 Pharmacists...... 1 Veterinarians...... 1

Bu s i n e s s a n d Co m m e r c i a l

Accounting/Bookkeeping Agencies...... 2 Agricultural Implement Dealers...... 2 Antique Shops...... 1 Appliance Stores...... 1 Auto Pars & Supplies...... 1 Auto Repair & Service...... 2 Automobile Dealers...... 1 Automobile Renting & Leasing (limo rental)...... 1 Bakeries...... 1 Banquet Facilities, Halls & Auditoriums...... 1 Beauty Salons & Barber Shops...... 7 Bed & Breakfast...... 2 (10 rooms) Carpet & Rug Dealers...... 1 Caterers...... 1 Child Care Services...... 1 Contractors—building...... 1 —carpentry...... 1 —concrete...... 1 —electric...... 1 —excavating...... 2 —flooring...... 1 —general...... 1 —heating & air conditioning...... 1 —plumbing...... 1 —remodeling & repairing...... 1 —roofing...... 1 Convenience Stores...... 2 Discount Stores...... 1 Drug Stores...... 1 Farm/Ranch Supplies...... 3 Fertilizers...... 1 - 45 - Floral Shops...... 2 Garbage Collectors...... 1 Gift Shops...... 5 Grain Dealers...... 1 Grocery Stores...... 1 Hardware Stores...... 1 Health Clubs...... 1 Insurance Companies...... 3 Landscaping Equipment & Supplies...... 1 Lawn Services...... 2 Machine Shops...... 1 Meat Lockers...... 1 Motels...... 1 (5 rooms) Nurseries & Garden Centers...... 1 Photography Studios...... 1 Preschools...... 2 Real Estate Firms...... 1 Restaurants...... 5 Service Stations...... 3 Specialized Shops (plastic molding)...... 1 Television & Radio Repair Shops...... 1 Tool & Die Makers...... 1 Variety Stores...... 1 Welding Shops...... 1 Winery & Wine Tasting...... 1

Agricultural Scenes

- 46 - Ag r i c u l t u r e & Ra w Ma t e r i a l s

Ag r i c u l t u r e

2007 Statistics Buffalo County State of Nebraska Number of Farms 949 47,712 Land in Farms (acres) 612,171 45,480,358 Average Size of Farms (acres) 645 953 Market Value of Agricultural Products Sold $259,674,000 $15,506,035,000 Market Value Per Farm $273,629 $324,992 Total Acres Irrigated 269,141 8,558,559 Percent of Farmland Irrigated 44.0% 18.8% Five‑Year Average Production of Leading Crops (2003–2007) Hay Alfalfa (Dry) 116,094 tons 4,546,200 tons All Wheat 452,360 bu. 71,778,000 bu. Corn for Grain 33,014,760 bu. 1,272,880,000 bu. Oats 39,480 bu. 3,751,000 bu. Sorghum For Grain 117,040 bu. 25,568,000 bu. Soybeans 3,601,680 bu. 215,393,000 bu. Five‑Year Average Livestock Population (2004–2008) All Cattle 105,600 6,470,000

During the past five years, Buffalo County ranked in the top ten counties in the production of corn for grain and alfalfa hay.

Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2002–2007 2007 Census of Agriculture

Ra w Ma t e r i a l s George Spencer Vineyard was established near Gibbon in 1998. Four varieties of grapes are Sand and gravel, non‑metallic minerals, are grown and transported to Cuthills Vineyard and available in commercial quantities; however, Winery in Pierce, Nebraska, to be made into metallic minerals are not found in the Buffalo wine. County area. Gibbon has a large source of beef and turkey Alfalfa, grown in the area, is shipped in powder products from the primary processing state. and pellet form to other areas for use in various types of commercial feed.

- 47 - Cl i m a t e

Te m p e r a t u r e , Pr e c i p i tat i o n , a n d Hu m i d i t y

AVERAGES Temperature Precipitation Humidity* Rain Snow Month Min. Mean Max. (Inches) (Inches) Morning Afternoon January 11.6 24.2 36.6 0.45 4.6 77 65 February 15.3 27.9 40.5 0.65 5.4 78 63 March 24.7 38.0 51.3 1.38 4.7 79 59 April 36.5 50.4 64.2 2.43 1.2 79 53 May 47.3 60.7 74.1 3.59 0.2 82 56 June 57.5 70.6 83.7 4.21 0.0 82 54 July 62.7 76.1 89.5 3.24 0.0 84 57 August 60.9 74.4 88.0 2.87 0.0 86 58 September 50.7 65.1 79.5 2.25 0.0 84 55 October 37.8 52.8 67.8 1.55 0.7 79 51 November 24.6 37.8 51.0 0.92 2.7 80 60 December 15.1 27.3 39.4 0.60 4.7 79 65 Annual 37.1 50.4 63.8 24.14 24.3 81 58 *Recorded at Grand Island Weather Station

Fr o s t Da t a

Average date of spring freeze probability...... May 8 Average date of fall freeze probability...... September 28 Average length of freeze free season probability...... 143 days Average number of heating degree days based on 65° Fahrenheit...... 6,315 Average number of cooling degree days based on 65° Fahrenheit...... 1,036 Wind speed in miles per hour (annual average)...... 12 Prevailing wind direction (annual average)...... South Source: High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska, 1948–2007, www.hprcc.unl.edu

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