Presented by The Pierce Economic Development Committee
April 12, 2004 - City of Pierce
Outline
1. Successful Community Projects
2. General Community & Economic Development Strategy
3. Process Summary – What we have done so far
4. Statement of Purpose, General Intent, & Goals
5. Participating Parties Involved with Economic Development
6. Positive & Negative Attributes of the Community
7. Business Inventory
8. Vacant Buildings & Lots
9. Acceptance of Document
SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY PROJECTS
The City of Pierce and the Pierce Community have been successful over the past several years completing several projects that have made Pierce an attractive place to live and to raise a family. The City has conducted two strategic planning sessions over the last seven years where a group of interested citizens addressed community and economic development needs. The majority of the goals identified have been met.
All of these projects have in some way or another effected economic development whether it be increasing the available housing stock, or obtaining grant dollars to be used to subsidize low to moderate income property owners paving assessments.
-In 1999, the City of Pierce partnered with Hadar & Hoskins to receive a CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Grant in the amount of $300,000 to rehab low to moderate income property owners homes
-In 1999, the Willow Ridge Subdivision was created where twelve lots were annexed into city limits
-In 2000, eleven blocks of paving were completed throughout town
-In 2001, the Willow Wood Subdivision was created where three housing lots were annexed into city limits
-In 2002, thirty-four blocks of paving were completed within the Southwest part of Pierce. The City of Pierce received a CDBG Public Works Grant in the amount of $250,000 to be used to subsidize low to moderate income property owners paving assessments
-In 2002, the Lied Pierce Public Library was constructed. No tax dollars were used to construct the building.
-In 2003, the City of Pierce zoning regulations were updated, and the City’s comprehensive plan was adopted
-In 2003, the Five Star Addition was created opening up thirteen potential housing lots
-In 2003, the Willow Ridge Phase II Subdivision was created where seven housing lots were annexed into city limits
The City and community leaders have taken great pride in what they have accomplished over the last few years. In the future, they want to continue to make progress with completing community projects, and making Pierce a desirable location for economic development.
GENERAL COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
The City of Pierce community and economic development strategy involves building on our strengths to promote existing business and the retention of jobs; and to recruit new business and jobs to the community. The principal strategy is to increase our tax base, marketing the assets that we have, striving to retain the people that we have, and to recruit new people to live here. In the process of implementing our strategy, the participating parties want to build a consensus among community members as to what is in the best interests of Pierce in terms of economic development. The Pierce Economic Development Committee and other participating parties aim to assess what they currently have for businesses, and what businesses they are lacking that will fit the community’s makeup.
The participating parties involved with economic development realize that business recruitment is a very competitive undertaking. We feel it is necessary to be well prepared and “business ready” for any type of business that might want to locate in Pierce. This is essentially the purpose of this document. Since the formation of the Elkhorn Valley Economic Development Council, the community leaders feel it is necessary that Pierce as a member of the EVEDC be as prepared for business recruitment as the other leading communities that are participating in the four county regional effort.
PROCESS SUMMARY
The Mayor and City Council’s intention for setting up the Committee was to conduct some strategic planning sessions for what specific goals Pierce should have for economic development. After establishing these goals, the Committee would then form an economic development plan. The Committee held six meetings over a six-month period discussing what Pierce needs are for economic development.
The Committee discussed alternative financing vehicles Pierce could use to assist in their economic development efforts. One example is exploring the possibility of trying to pass a sales tax used strictly for economic development activities (LB 840).
The initial number one goal of the Committee was to address the condition of Main Street. The Committee conducted a downtown assessment where Committee members physically walked the downtown area noting improvements that needed to be made. The Main Street improvement project has since been turned over to the Chamber of Commerce. The Committee will try to offer ongoing support of the Chamber with this project as much as possible.
Another discussion topic centered around what kinds of businesses are needed in Pierce. Examples included a greenhouse, a microbrewery, and a call center. All of the Committee members agreed that Pierce needed a kind of business that was unique to the area that would be able to attract people to town. Other discussion topics were the types of housing needed in Pierce, and what needs to be done to take advantage of the tourism attractions.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE, GENERAL INTENT AND GOALS
After defining exactly what economic development is and how it relates to the City of Pierce, Nebraska, the general intent is to implement an economic development program with the purpose and goals of which will be; to create jobs, business retention, recruiting new businesses to town, and trying to facilitate the expansion of current businesses.
The immediate short-term goal is to try to retain the existing businesses that we have in Pierce. In particular, there will be an emphasis on keeping our Main Street vital and the downtown buildings occupied. Another short-term goal is to try to encourage existing businesses to expand if they are willing to do so. The community leaders involved with economic development can meet with potential business owners who are considering expanding their businesses trying to encourage their efforts, and to keep the lines of communication open.
Another short-term goal is continue to work with the Elkhorn Valley Economic Development Council on marketing our assets as a community hopefully recruiting new business to Pierce and the surrounding area. We would like to target those businesses that may want to relocate or start up a business in Northeast Nebraska. Community leaders need to work with the EVEDC to identify what types of incentives would work to attract potential businesses that may want to locate in Pierce.
The City of Pierce adopted a comprehensive plan in 2003. Within the comprehensive plan is a future land use plan identifying the zoning districts for industrial and manufacturing type businesses. It is the intention of this plan for future economic development and growth to conform with the city’s current zoning regulations, and the future land use plan. One immediate goal identified is to initiate contact with one of these property owners owning land west of town discussing the possibility of having an option to buy the property if a prospective business would want to locate there, or if a spec building were to ever be constructed. The property would then be posted on the City’s web site, and advertised by the Elkhorn Valley Economic Development Council.
The long-term intention is to pursue Nebraska Legislative Bill 840, the Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act of using sales tax monies for economic development. The City of Pierce currently does not have a sales tax. Community leaders recognize the City of Pierce will need an alternative source of revenue to create and sustain economic development activities within the realm of eligible activities defined by law.
PARTICIPATING PARTIES
On April 7th, 2003, the Pierce City Council approved the organization of the Pierce Economic Development Committee. The Committee consists of the following members:
Arnie Venteicher
Kelly Heath
Gerry Picek
Mike Wichman
Todd Wragge
Letha Shimerka
Linda Pedersen
Rick Higgins
Ken Peekenschneider
Linda Peekenschneider
Sue Bachman
Doug Haas
Tom Meyer
Karen Meyer
The Committee is made up of residents, business owners, and Chamber of Commerce members who really care about their community and want to see Pierce prosper in the future. The Committee’s primary objective is to develop an economic development plan for the City of Pierce. Once the plan is developed, the Committee’s responsibilities will then be to implement the plan itself, research the positives and negatives if a prospective business wanted to locate here, work with the City Administrator on responding to a request for proposal, facilitate existing business expansion, and to serve as an unbiased discussion panel for community projects such as a high school expansion, a proposed sales tax, or a new baseball/softball complex.
In the process of developing an economic development plan, members of the Pierce Business Association (PBA) will be working together with the Pierce Economic Development Committee. The Pierce Business Association made up of business owners in Pierce who have agreed to exploring the possibility of seeking 501 C6 Federal status, and possibly changing their name to the Pierce Economic Development Foundation. This organization will serve as the finance vehicle for pursuing donations, or outside grant funding to be used for economic development activities.
The Elkhorn Valley Economic Development Council will also be participating in helping with the implementation of the Pierce Economic Development Plan. The EVEDC is funded by sixteen communities throughout Pierce, Antelope, Madison, and Stanton counties. The EVEDC can assist the Pierce Economic Development Committee in the following ways:
1) Assisting existing businesses in the community in a variety of ways including marketing, business planning, and succession planning, 2) Marketing existing buildings and industrial sites in the Pierce community through the EVEDC advertising campaign, on the web site, and in a publication to be finished in 2004, 3) Attending the meetings of the Pierce Economic Development Committee to assist in planning, provide latest information on incentives, grants, programs, provide assistance in hosting prospects, and helping out with keeping the City’s economic development program focused, 4)One on One work with local entrepreneurs to bring their business ideas to fruition. You can contact the EVEDC by calling (402) 371-8142.
Pierce is a participating member of the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District based out of Norfolk. The District helps communities with their community and economic development efforts. They also help provide long-term capital for expansion of businesses or industries which would otherwise be denied such access to capital. They offer a wide range of loan programs for current and start up businesses. They also aid cities with filling out grant applications. For more information about the District, please visit their web site at www.nenedd.org or call (402) 379-1150.
The Pierce Chamber of Commerce is an organization consisting of businesses and community members working together to promote the tourism, commercial, financial, industrial, and civic interests of the community. Some of the annual events sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce include an annual home show, an Employer/Employee Banquet, two Holiday open houses for community businesses to promote shopping locally, and organizing the Jaze Daze Alumni Weekend festivities. One additional activity the Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring in 2004 is a lunchtime learning seminar to educate local business on marketing, customer service, new business technology, local tourism interests, and tax tips.
The City of Pierce and the Pierce City Council will continue to support the efforts of the Pierce Economic Development Committee and the Pierce Business Association involving economic development. They will be researching and discussing the possibility of offering incentives to prospective businesses that may want to locate in Pierce. The City may be able to pay for the infrastructure costs to extend or update electrical, water, and sewer to any areas within or just outside city limits currently without the necessary utilities.
POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES
Quality of Life:
The City of Pierce is a growing community with a population of 1,774. The City’s population has increased by 159 persons since the last census was taken in 1990. This rate of growth indicates people are attracted to what Pierce has to offer as a community. People from Norfolk and other larger communities have decided to move to Pierce because of its small town feeling, and the smaller school system. They are attracted to Pierce because it’s a nice and safe place to raise a family.
Location:
Pierce is located in Northeast Nebraska fifteen miles northwest of Norfolk along Highway 13, or 53 miles south of Yankton, South Dakota just off of Highway 81. Highway 13 connects Highway 81 and Highway 20. Pierce is located two miles north of Willow Creek State Recreation Area. Pierce is the County’s seat.
New Housing Availability:
There are three new housing subdivisions consisting of around twenty lots for sale with access to City utilities. There are also several 2.5 acre lots surrounding city limits available for building.
Housing Contractors:
Pierce has a unique advantage of having four experienced private building contractors in the area that can build a custom new home (SEE Business Inventory).
Tourism:
Pierce offers several attractions for visitors to enjoy. Within city limits is beautiful Gilman Park known for its Statewide Arboretum. Also, within Gilman Park is the Pierce County Historical Museum open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Three miles west of town is Cuthills Vineyard, Nebraska’s First Licensed Winery. The Vineyard hosts a Wine & Wings festival which attracts thousands of visitors each August. Also, two miles away from Pierce is Willow Creek Recreation Area which covers 1,600 acres and offers camping, fishing, boating, swimming, and water skiing. For more information about our tourism attractions, visit the community’s web site at www.piercenebraska.com
Education:
- Pierce High School built in 1996.
- Pierce Elementary School last addition built in 1982.
Pierce Public Schools has a PreK-12 student population of 730 in a public school district that encompasses over 200 square miles. The district operates separate elementary and high school state of the art attendance centers, both located in Pierce. The district provides a comprehensive program of instruction, supplemented by a wide range of co-curricular activities. The School is very proud of its core/elective and extra curricular programs, and the students perform well on local, state, and national assessments.
Pierce has a private school, Zion Lutheran (Preschool – 8th Grade) with a current enrollment of 84 students and six full-time teachers. Zion Lutheran School, now in its 100th year, was established to assist parents in the Christian training and educating of their children. Zion’s state certified teachers provide a quality, Christ-centered program of education for the children of Zion and for the children of the Pierce community.
- Northeast Community College (15 miles away; Norfolk, NE)
- Wayne State College (30 miles away; Wayne, NE)
Infrastructure:
1 Communications
- Pierce Telephone Company (locally owned)
a. Telephone
b. Internet – Broad Band High Speed Access
c. Fiber-Optics
d. Capability of meeting any distribution needs
-Cable One
a. Cable Television b. Internet – Broad Band High Speed Access
c. Fiber-Optics
2 Water
- Water Tower constructed in 1972
- Three Quality Wells (All wells have been upgraded in the past three years)
- Water Mains 4” or Bigger
- Pumps 1,330 Gallons/Minute
- Max. Capacity 1.9 Million Gallons/Day
- Static Pressure is 74 psi
- Residual Pressure is 83 psi
3 Sewer
- Four Cell Lagoon System – 600,000,000 Gallon Storage
- Three Lift Stations – Meets all State NPDES Standards
- 12” Main – 4,800 ft.
- 10” Main – 800 ft.
- 8” Main – 24,800 ft.
- 6” Main – 7,600 ft.
4 Electricity
- Electric system is City owned and operated
- Electricity is purchased from the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska
- New Substation built in 2000
- Substation capacity is 7200/12470 serviced by 69 KV line
- City services rural area west of town to Village of Foster
5. Natural Gas
- The pipeline servicing Pierce is owned by Kinder Morgan
- Aquila is the retail supplier of natural gas based out of Norfolk
- The community is served by a 4” line at 40 pounds of pressure.
- An average value of 1,000 BTU is available for residential, commercial, and industrial customers for base and peak use on a firm basis.
- Interruptible service is available for customers with alternate fuel capability.
- Aquila assists large volume users with customized services tailored to their specific needs.
Churches:
- Christ Lutheran Church
- St. John’s Lutheran Church
- St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
- United Church of Christ
- United Methodist Church
- Zion Lutheran Church
Fire/Rescue:
The City of Pierce has a strong volunteer base. This is evident with the City’s superior fire and rescue personnel. The Fire & Rescue departments take great pride in their services and possess the adequate training for any kind of an emergency.
Services:
1. Dentist
2. Medical Doctor
3. Physicians Assistant
4. Physical Therapist
5. Prescription Drug Delivery
6. Veterinarian
8. Grocery Delivery
9. Fire (40 Volunteers), Rescue (25 EMT’s), City Police (3 Full-Time Officers)
NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES
Mobile Society: The proximity of Pierce to a first class city (Norfolk) is that it is difficult to have citizens spend their money in Pierce that work in Norfolk.
Floodplain: Pierce is limited in which direction it can grow. For the most part, the City can only grow to the northwest and west because of the dike located to the north and east of town, and Willow Creek located to the south of town.
Property Taxes: Due to the city’s growth over the last twenty years and the close proximity to Norfolk, property taxes are higher in Pierce compared to surrounding communities such as Plainview and Osmond.
Housing Costs: One negative attribute of the community is the lack of moderately priced housing in the community. The housing market in Pierce compares favorably with Norfolk.
Rental Housing: There is an inadequate supply of quality rental housing in Pierce. Besides the trailer court, there is only one apartment complex which is available for rent. The two other apartment complexes are available only for those persons who qualify as lower to moderate income. There are a minimum number of homes and duplexes throughout town that are available for rent.
I as a member of the Pierce Economic Development Committee and Pierce Business Association accept the Pierce Economic Development Plan as an official document of the City of Pierce. I feel it is a good representation of the community’s needs and aspirations involving economic development activities. I with the rest of the Committee will strive to implement the Plan keeping the Pierce community’s best interests in mind. I understand this document will be given to prospective businesses or persons that may want to locate in Pierce.
Sue Bachman
Doug Haas
Kelly Heath
Rick Higgins
Karen Meyer
Tom Meyer
Linda Pedersen
Ken Peekenschneider
Linda Peekenschneider
Gerry Picek
Letha Shimerka
Arnie Venteicher
Mike Wichman
Todd Wragge
Approved by the Pierce City Council on April 5, 2004.
Kelly Heath, Mayor
Bob Bates
Bud Druyor
Tom Maas
Shannon Stuchlik
