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September 1, 2023

September Chamber Spotlight- The Golden Husk

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Arts and culture are an importance piece to the vitality of a community, no matter the size.  They provide a source of entertainment for residents and attraction for visitors, ultimately serving as a contributor for the overall quality...

July 3, 2023

July Chamber Spotlight- Hey Honey Boutique

Blog

Starting and owning a business is not an easy task.  There can be many bumps in the road that could make you question your decision to become an entrepreneur.  Sometimes, it takes great strength and perseverance to...

January 30, 2023

Local Pharmacy or Online: Safety vs. Risk

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Written by Kate Wolf for The Ord Quiz. Originally Published in The Ord Quiz: Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Vol. 142, No. 4 The concept of online pharmacies and the active sale of medications have become very popular over the past 20...

November 8, 2022

2022 Local Holiday Shopping Guide

Blog

It’s holiday shopping time! Whether you’re looking for gifts for friends or family, local area business have just what you need. Shopping local has never been more important. Instead of traveling to the big cities, check out the...

June 2, 2022

June Chamber Spotlight- Hackel Construction

Blog

When you think of someone who works in the construction industry, what are some standard characteristics that come to mind?  Handy? Loves the outdoors? Hardworking?  Where does effective communicator fall on your...

May 11, 2022

May Chamber Spotlight- The Florette

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The history that lies within a town is what can set it apart from the rest.  The buildings, the stories, and the characters of past years, all contribute to the legacy and vibrancy of a community.  Sometimes, the...

April 18, 2022

Quarterly Report- April 2022

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Childcare, Business Retention/Expansion/Transition, Housing and Tourism are four areas of focus determined by the Valley County Economic Development Board at their 2021 Strategic Planning Session.  The April 2022 Quarterly Report...

April 1, 2022

April Chamber Spotlight- Elev8 308

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Imagine starting a new business.  The idea sounds a little scary but may not if that business involves doing something you love.  Now, imagine starting that business in a community more than a three-hour drive from...

January 24, 2022

New Business Owner Chooses to Do Business in Ord

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As you make your way through downtown Ord, you’ll notice a lot of new activity at the corner of 16th and K Street. That’s because a new business is not only up and running, it’s thriving. Vehicles fill the parking lot, customers pop in...

January 18, 2022

Quarterly Report – January 2022

Blog

Childcare, Business Retention/Expansion/Transition, Housing and Tourism are four areas of focus determined by the Valley County Economic Development Board at their 2021 Strategic Planning Session. The January 2022 Quarterly Report...

August 2, 2021

August Chamber Spotlight- Popcorn County USA

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Sometimes the best way to reconnect with a memory is through our senses.  A simple smell or taste can take you right back to a special moment or fond memory.  The smell of a certain flower could take you back to...

July 1, 2021

July Chamber Spotlight – Shear Bliss

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After a long break from in person pampering, thanks to COVID, I’m sure we all have a newfound appreciation for the “bliss” we feel after a fresh haircut from a salon professional.   At home manicures, pedicures and hair...

June 21, 2021

Downtown Ord Alumni Weekend Passport

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The weekend of July 4th isn’t just about trying to create the best backyard barbeque or avoiding burning your fingers on a firecracker, it’s also about coming together.  It could be coming together as a family, as...

June 1, 2021

June Chamber Spotlight – The Ord Locker

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When it comes to picking the best cut of meat, “I’d rather take the butcher’s word for it.”   Whether you recognize that quote or not, most of us would agree that meat lockers are not only important to local ag producers, but...

May 28, 2021

Valley County Welcomes Rural Fellow Interns

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Valley County is lucky to be one of several communities across the state of Nebraska to host interns through Rural Prosperity Nebraska.  Please welcome Clare Umutoni & Kaylee Burnside! Here’s what Clare has to say about...

May 28, 2021

Area Businesses Come Together

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The Ord Area Chamber of Commerce was thrilled to host the first ever Downtown Coffee Connections gathering on May 20, 2021 at Jubilee Events & Catering in Downtown Ord.  Approximately 25 business owners, employees,...

December 28, 2020

Labor Substitue List

Blog

The Ord Area Chamber of Commerce is expanding their assistance to area businesses with a Labor Substitute List.  Finding individuals who are looking for low hour, part-time, seasonal or temporary job positions can be...

December 15, 2020

VCED Accepting Bids for Property Demo

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Public notice and invitation is hereby given by the Valley County Economic Development (VCED) Board of Directors to submit sealed proposals for furnishing all permits, equipment, transportation, tools, materials, labor and skills...

November 24, 2020

Holiday Shopping Store Hours

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The Holiday shopping season is upon us, which means area businesses are extending their hours to allow everyone more time to purchase their holiday gift items. Here is a look at some area business store hours for the holiday season:...

November 13, 2020

2020 Local Holiday Shopping Guide

Blog

It’s holiday shopping time! Whether you’re looking for gifts for friends or family, local area business have just what you need. Shopping local has never been more important. Instead of traveling to the big cities, check...

October 29, 2020

Snowball Drop goes Virtual in 2020

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Coronavirus has taken away several community events this year, but it will not take away the opportunity to win Snowball Savings! The 2020 Snowball Drop will be a virtual event. This is good news for community members out of town for...

October 1, 2020

CinTrese Boutique – October Chamber Spotlight

Blog

“Nothing sparkles like a diamond from CinTrese Boutique.”  For almost 6 years, CinTrese Boutique has been providing the community with a variety of retail items to purchase.  Tucked in the northwest corner of the downtown square,...

September 15, 2020

VCED Seeking Proposals for Property Redevelopment

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Valley County Economic Development (VCED) seeks proposals from qualified developers to purchase and redevelop the property at 100 N. 15th Street in Ord, Nebraska. The preferred use is commercial retail or office space. Proposals should...

August 24, 2020

VCED & Chamber Welcome New Program Coordinator

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Valley County Economic Development (VCED) and the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce have welcomed Katie Walmsley as the organizations’ new Program Coordinator.  “I am so excited to not only be working as the Program Coordinator for the...

August 1, 2020

Shear Bliss – August 2020 Chamber Spotlight

Blog

On the northwest corner of the downtown square in Ord, you’ll find bliss in the form of a fresh haircut or a new style, a shiny new manicure or pedicure and the bliss that goes along with being pampered at Shear Bliss. The Shear Bliss...

July 1, 2020

The Golden Husk – July 2020 Chamber Spotlight

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Whether it’s an opera, community theatre, concert or movie showing, the historic theatre in downtown Ord has served as a gathering space for the regional area since it was built in 1930. The Golden Husk’s name is derived from the...

May 15, 2020

Help Give Valley County Businesses a Boost

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Twenty-six Valley County businesses are participating in the 47 County Business Boost program, an initiative designed by Valley County Economic Development, Ord City Council and the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce to assist businesses in...

April 15, 2020

Valley County Together – COVID-19 Resources

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Representatives from the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce, Valley County Economic Development, City of Ord, Valley County Community Foundation Fund, Valley County Tourism, Ord Public Schools and Valley County Health System are...

April 3, 2020

COVID-19 Toolkit for Small Businesses

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As of April 14, 2020 Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has compiled information pertaining to Business & Industry and COVID-19 from resources including: Nebraska Department...

March 17, 2020

City of Ord Press Release Regarding COVID-19

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 17, 2020 ORD, NEBRASKA-In response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, the City of Ord has been monitoring various governmental agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Center for Disease...

March 2, 2020

Ag Pro Insurance – March 2020 Chamber Spotlight

Blog

Agriculture has been the foundation of Ag Pro Insurance since Steve Vech sold his first crop insurance policy in 1975 but the company has grown to offer a more diverse selection of insurance products since then. Steve’s first insurance...

February 28, 2020

VCED Seeks Candidates for Executive Director Post

Blog

Valley County Economic Development (VCED), a county-wide economic development organization located in Ord, NE, is looking for its next Executive Director. Big picture: Under the direction of the VCED Board, the Director coordinates all...

February 5, 2020

2020 Local Valentine’s Day Shopping Guide

Blog

Share the love with not only your Valentines but with local businesses and organizations as well! Grab some great Valentine’s Day gift ideas below or download the 2020 Local Valentine’s Day Shopping Guide. #1 FLOWERS The...

January 14, 2020

Apply Today for Ord Home Rehabilitation Funds

Blog

Are you tired of letting your energy prices leak through your doors and windows? Does your home need some TLC through repairs and improvements? Need to improve access to areas of your home? If so, the City of Ord may be able to help....

December 13, 2019

City Accepting Bids for Personal Property

Blog

The Community Develop NOTICE OF INVITATION TO SUBMIT BIDS The Community Development Agency of the City of Ord, Nebraska (“CDA”) is accepting sealed bids for the purchase of all personal property and equipment in the old Ord Quiz...

December 13, 2018

Shopko Rapid Response Team Formed

Work in Ord

One week ago, Wisconsin-based Shopko announced the planned closure of at least 39 stores around the U.S. Unfortunately, Shopko Hometown Ord is on that list. According to Shopko spokeswoman Michelle Hansen, the company reviewed the...

August 9, 2017

Student-Business Connections

Work in Ord

Local businesses have an important opportunity to help grow our community and retain valuable human capital. We all play a role. Parents and family members, teachers and guidance counselors, friends and neighbors. The support and...

February 20, 2014

Ord Does it Again!

Live in Ord, Work in Ord

The City of Ord, which pioneered one of the first and few programs of its kind in the country, has now become the first community on the list to earn re-certification approval for a second time. The program is the Nebraska Economic...

June 24, 2013

Valley County Introduces Dynamic Leadership Development Academy

Give to Valley County, Live in Ord, Play in Ord, Work in Ord, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

SynoVation Valley Leadership Academy (SVLA) is a new, dynamic leadership development program that will go far beyond the basic civic engagement and leadership awareness topics.  SVLA combines three grand strategies to help participants...

February 5, 2013

Economic Development Fund Update

Work in Ord

November sales tax receipts for the Ord city sales tax program for economic development are reported below. Sales tax receipts for the economic development fund are available for a variety of uses including low interest loans for...

March 21, 2012

How can you support your community?

Live in Ord

Did you know you can support your favorite local organizations with as little as $100 a year? The Valley County Community Foundation Fund, an affiliated fund with the Nebraska Community Foundation, supports community betterment through...

November 3, 2011

Making Business Succession Happen

Work in Ord

Fifty-two percent of existing business owners will leave their business in just ten years or less, according to statistics provided by Gallup. If you look around Valley County and consider that the average age here is 45, that number...

May 16, 2011

Volf Joins VCED

Work in Ord

(Ord, NE) – Kristina Volf of Ord has joined Valley County Economic Development as Business Development and Marketing Specialist. Kristina is a 2011 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Business Administration...

November 22, 2010

Gems in the Valley

Play in Ord

A cold November Saturday is one of those days just looking to be seized by the horns and enjoyed.  Carpe diem, right?  In Nebraska, weather dictates what you can and cannot do many times, but thankfully one of my favorite activities...

November 8, 2010

Importance of the Rural Grocery Store

Live in Ord

Our friends over at the Center for Rural Affairs has a critical report released last week that highlights the importance of rural grocery stores to rural citizens. Count me as one who believes in this message and also as one who feels...

November 5, 2010

News from the Valley

Live in Ord, Play in Ord, Work in Ord

Happy Friday! We have a lot of valuable information for you this month as we cover a lot of ground (literally) in the November Area Chamber Economic Development Report.  You can download the report here. In this month’s issue, you’ll...

October 15, 2010

New Technology Business Coming to Ord

Work in Ord

(Ord, NE) – Technology First of Atkinson is pleased to announce it will be opening a new business in Ord, Nebraska.  Tech 1st is owned by former Ord resident Dave Fredrick.  Dave’s enthusiasm shows as he brings his business to Ord: “We...

August 31, 2010

Good news keeps rolling in

Work in Ord

In the September economic development report, we’ll examine the June 2010 sales tax receipts that show a trend of month-in, month-out retail growth.  We’ve surpassed our 2009-2010 allowable sales tax collections (.4 of 1%...

August 12, 2010

The Benefits of Buying Locally

Live in Ord, Work in Ord

Think Local – Buy Local – Be Local!  As a follow-up for our Buy Local campaign, The ORD Option, we’re offering some insight into the purchasing power of buying locally.  Spending dollars in our community can have some seriously...

June 18, 2010

Raising entrepreneurs

Live in Ord, Work in Ord

TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is a fantastic website (and movement) that provides some seriously in-depth and entertaining discussions on a variety of issues.  Below is a great talk about raising kids to be entrepreneurs. ...

June 3, 2010

Wind in the Valley

Work in Ord

Today, our partners at Nebraska Public Power District will helping us understand the factors that play into wind power development in Valley County, along with our friends from the surrounding counties.  This effort is the product of...

June 1, 2010

ExtraORDinary Days Recap

Live in Ord, Play in Ord

Thank you to everyone who made this year’s ExtraORDinary Days a success.  The beautiful weather and abundant community participation made for an excellent event.  Below are the results for several activities.  Rubber Duck Race:  1st...

May 24, 2010

Health Care Reform

Work in Ord

While we’re not going to get wrapped up in the politicking of the Health Care Reform Act, we *are* working with Congressman Adrian Smith‘s office to inform local businesses of the impact of the new legislation.  Those...

May 19, 2010

Tracking economic growth

Work in Ord

One of the fun things about my job is when I get to study local, statewide and national drivers of local economic growth, and then seek to understanding the leading indicators that show that very growth in our area.  We’ve said...

May 7, 2010

Tapping a $46 million market

Play in Ord

(Ord, NE) – Upcoming workshops in Red Cloud, Ord and Ogallala aim to help ag producers, land owners, businesses, local governments and individuals tap an emerging market valued at over $46 million.  Jim Mallman of Watchable Wildlife,...

May 4, 2010

Learning from Success

Work in Ord

Fast Company has a great blurb about learning from success versus failure.  In it, Alex Bogusky, co-chairman of Crispin Porter + Bogusky, talks about the implications of learning from failure and the culture of fear that it breeds. ...

April 29, 2010

Microfinance works

Work in Ord

The Globe and Mail out of Toronto has a great read today on the importance of microfinance.  As many of you know, microfinance is the engine that has driven our growth for 10 years in Ord and Valley County.  Nearly a full third of our...

April 27, 2010

Rural economy gaining jobs

Work in Ord

The Daily Yonder has an interesting post about the latest rural economy job gain.  Ord and Valley County clock in with slight job gains in February 2010.  Rural Nebraska as a whole saw strong growth.  The Yonder reports: “In...

April 22, 2010

Breaking ground at OHS

Live in Ord

Our pals (thanks Jen) over at Ord High sent along video from yesterday’s groundbreaking for the $9.8 million renovation and new building project.  We posted about the event last week here, and you can read details on the...

April 8, 2010

National effort recognizes local business

Work in Ord

Waaay back in October, we mentioned that Brad and Gina Babb of Sandhills Glass and Garage Doors were recognized by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity as an exemplary model for their use of microfinance to grow their business....

April 6, 2010

Changes to a local financing program

Work in Ord

Last night, City Council approved changes to our Valley County Business Corridor Microloan pool that drops the 4% interest rate to 0%. That means you, the Valley County business owner, can get up to $10,000 at 0% interest for property...

March 30, 2010

Now hiring

Live in Ord, Work in Ord

Valley County Economic Development is seeking applicants for a 2010 summer marketing intern. The position will be designated as contract labor and will be approximately 32 hours/week. Pay is commiserate with experience. Current college...