A ground breaking was held yesterday in Valentine on the first housing project initiated by the Valentine Economic Development Program.

In 2017 the Nebraska legislature reallocated approximately $7 million in housing funds to create the rural workforce housing funds.

The city of Valentine voted to partner with Central Nebraska Housing and Economic Development through a commitment of $100,000 from Valentine LB840 funds, created by sales tax revenue. $100,000 was matched from the Rural Workforce Housing Grant and another grant from Nebraska Investment Finance Authority brought the total fund to almost $300,000.

The funds were offered to local contractors for new quality affordable home construction and rehabilitation of existing housing. Dick Clark Construction of Valentine was awarded funding to help with construction of a new 1,400 square foot home in the City’s third Addition. The home will have a finished main floor with unfinished basement. Sandhills Home Improvement of Valentine was also awarded funding for a rehab project.

Representatives of The City of Valentine, Valentine Economic Development, Central Nebraska Economic Development and Dick Clark Construction held a ceremonial ground breaking Monday afternoon at the construction sight in Northeast Valentine.