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Experience the space, spirit and surprise of Box Butte County!

Click here to view our online video of Box Butte County

Located at the gateway to the Sandhills of the Nebraska Panhandle, Box Butte County offers a unique blend of history, progressive industry, agriculture and people devoted to the betterment of their community.

 

 

 

With belief in the time-tested qualities of hard work, honesty, courage and neighborliness, our county is blessed with a variety of community and economic development opportunities.

 

 

 

 

     
   
 
   
  By Mark Dykes
Alliance Times Herald
Asst. Managing Editor

ALLIANCE- On Friday afternoon, a day marking Box Butte Development Corporation Executive Director John Olafson's 68th birthday, Olafson announced his retirement.

Though the announcement was made yesterday, Olafson explained that his retirement would not be effective until May 31. However, he said, after his retirement he plans to stay on with BBDC - no later than the end of 2010 and create a smooth transition for whoever is chosen.

Olafson said the summer months are a time when families are moving, and it's a good time to look for BBDC's next director.

Regarding his past nearly five years with BBDC, Olafson said he is proud of what the staff and the board have done. He pointed out that their hard work will come to fruition during the Nebraska Diplomats 2010 Business and Industry Recognition Day on Friday, May 14. The day begins with an optional tour of the BNSF Alliance terminal at 11:15a.m., but the majority of events will be at the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center beginning with registration at 11:45 a.m.

As part of the museum events, there will be a proclamation reading from Governor Dave Heineman, and the Alliance City Council's acceptance of Alliance's recognition as a Certified Economic Development Community.

Brenda McDonald, president of the BBDC Board of Directors, explained that becoming a Certified Community was a three-year process, involving things such as housing and labor studies, and identifying sites and buildings available for development.

Being certified, she said, allows the community to be more marketable. For example, she said, Alliance would be presented, at meetings such as an upcoming one in Chicago, to industries that are looking ot relocate.

Olafson added that the Department of Economic Development has done a mock presentation for industries looking to relocate and Alliance is ready "to put its best foot forward".

Becoming a Certified community was a big goal for Olafson when he first came to BBDC, and he was pleased to see that goal accomplished. He added that work is being done to help Hemingford become a Certified community as well.

Looking ahead, Olafson plans to stay in the area and has "no plans to leave the good life of Box Butte County."
 
     
 

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