Ord and Valley County has so much to offer in the way of history, heritage, culture and character. A great deal of work has been done to bring new businesses to the downtown, support the community with quality health care, invest in education for future generations and develop safe and healthy neighborhoods. Local leadership plans to take that activity to the logical next step and prepare an ambitious plan to revitalize the downtown, activities and businesses operating not only in Ord but also across Valley County.

Sponsored by the Valley County Economic Development Board, with the help of Professor Kim Wilson of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Landscape Architecture Program and Sandy Scofield of the UNL Rural Initiative, an effort is planned for this fall to do just that. With the help of eight planning and architecture students, local leadership will be looking at ways to tackle local challenges and continue down a path of community and economic development excellence.

The semester-long project gives the UNL students hands-on experience and locals receive results in the form of a framework plan for Ord and Valley County. This holistic approach is not going to be something that collects dust on the top shelf. The outcome will be full of ideas for community improvement projects, methods to involve the citizenry, a variety of approaches to consider and suggestions based on community input.

It all begins September 7-8 when the UNL students arrive in Ord for two days. They will be looking for input in the form of an engaging small group session. VCED wants to include all levels of organizations (official and loosely organized), all ages, socio-economics, businesses, potential investors, entrepreneurs, new comers, students. Anyone who cares about how Ord and Valley looks now, and will look like 10, 20 or 50 years from now is welcome and encouraged to attend an input session. The session will be held the evening of Thursday, September 8th , from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Central Community College Ord Learning Center, 1514 K Street. Refreshments will be provided.

Make plans now to join us. Be included in our future! We want your input, involvement, and innovative ideas. For more information call Caleb Pollard, Executive Director, Valley County Economic Development at (308) 728-7875.