Last week in Sidney, the Valentine Economic Development Board submitted a bid to host the 2022 Nebraska Economic Developers Conference in Valentine. Valentine has hosted the event previously in 2005, 2009 and 2014. The association has over 200 statewide members representing economic development groups, chambers, cities and support agencies. Typically, there are between 125 and 150 attendees at each conference held across Nebraska. Valentines bid for 2022 competed against Kearney, Ashland and South Sioux City. The association board of directors voted to award the conference next spring to Valentine. Tentative dates will be the middle of May. A large part of the success of the bid was work done by Breanna Wirth, an Americorp Fellow serving with economic development in Valentine.
A reminder to businesses, the Façade program is still open to Valentine businesses who would like to improve the visible front of their buildings. Valentine ED will grant up to $8,000 for a business to paint, replace windows, new awnings and other upgrades. The maximum is 50% of the total cost. Contact Mike Burge at 402 376 6842 for details.
With Valentines Main Street scheduled for construction in the spring of 2022, businesses that would like to request help with signage for rear of building should contact economic development.