Dear BBDC Readers,
I am happy to be writing you from my desk at Box Butte Development Corporation. It has been a wonderful first full year serving as the executive director at BBDC, where I have learned so much, collaborated with our community partners, worked to develop housing, and connected businesses with resources.
Watching our community invest in the work we do here through a variety of means has kept me inspired over the past year. This inspiration has helped in BBDC’s major accomplishments in the past 12 months by these numbers:
– $1 Million – That is the total in our Rural Workforce Housing Fund, now available for local development. In the last year the state released these funds to BBDC and we have already funded our first project that is almost ready to hit the market!
– 35% – That is how much the local childcare gap has been reduced. Through our Communities for Kids initiative, we are building stronger connections among providers and driving efforts to expand both the quantity and quality of care.
– 225 Students & 31 Businesses – That is the impact of last fall’s Alliance Career Cabs, an exciting partnership with Career Connections of Western Nebraska. We are proud to engage youth across the Panhandle and help build the future workforce. We also hosted a job fair with Alliance High School and participated in several other workforce retention activities.
– $861,800 – That is the amount we have helped entrepreneurs and small businesses secure this year through tools like the City of Alliance’s LB840 Plan, PREMA’s Revolving Loan Fund, our Downtown Façade Program, and the Rural Workforce Housing Fund.
These are amazing triumphs I hope to continue and improve while expanding our approach in the 12 months to come.
I am inviting you to start or continue your investment in our community and help with BBDC’s continued efforts. Through this investment, you can play an active role in advocating for the growth and prosperity of Box Butte County. This is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family! Your investment will help provide essential private funds that serve as a launching pad for BBDC to engage in development projects and supporting activities. It ensures BBDC’s participation in vital activities that will help our community thrive. Not only does your contribution help with the bigger picture of success, but you also receive tangible benefits through your investment and membership including:
- Voting Rights at Annual Meeting in November each year
- Eligible for Board of Director Seat
- Receive Monthly E-Newsletter AND advertise in Monthly E-Newsletter (send us announcements to be included)
- Social Media Shares i.e. events, job postings, updates
- Advocating to GROW Box Butte County Businesses & Start-Ups
- Youth Engagement, Career Days, and assist with Job Postings
- Advocate for Quality Child Care options
- Back the rehab, resale, and building of housing via our Rural Workforce Housing Fund
Having a BBDC membership impacts the future health and growth of our county. I hope you join me in championing Box Butte County. Know that you play a critical role in positive change.
Thank you so much,
Hannah Robinson