Crawford Community Guide - Nebraska Public Power District
Transcription
Crawford Community Guide - Nebraska Public Power District
Crawford N E B R A S K A COMMUNITY GUIDE crawfordnebraska.net 2 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E The Table of Contents and section headings are hot linked within this Community Guide. Clicking on the section headings will return you to the Table of Contents. ABOUT The following pages contain basic information about Crawford, Nebraska. This information was compiled by the city of Crawford, Crawford Public Schools, Nebraska Northwest Development Corporation, and Nebraska Public Power District in order to promote community development and quality of life. Crawford N E B R A S K A Crawford is located in the scenic Pine Ridge escarpment in Northwest Nebraska. It is home of Fort Robinson State Park, one of the most significant military forts of the mid‑1800’s. Surrounded by the Red Cloud Buttes and Crow Butte, the stunning scenery and rough landscape make the area a vacation destination. Agriculture is the Contacts primary industry and adds the cowboy flavor to the rustic downtown Deb Cottier, Executive Director Nebraska Northwest Development Corporation Chadron, Nebraska 69337 Office: (308) 432-4023 Cell: (308) 430-5959 Email: [email protected] nndc.chadron-nebraska.com appearance. 2013 U.S. Census Population Crawford Jane Dailey, Clerk City of Crawford Crawford, Nebraska 69339 Office: (308) 665-1300 Email: [email protected] crawfordnebraska.net Dave Nixon, Mayor City of Crawford Crawford, Nebraska 69339 Office: (308) 665-1300 Email: [email protected] crawfordnebraska.net Samantha Dyer, President Chamber of Commerce Crawford, Nebraska 69339 Office: (866) 665-1817 crawfordnebraska.us Rick J. Nelsen, CEcD Economic Development Manager Nebraska Public Power District Columbus, Nebraska 68602-0499 Office: (402) 563-5534 Cell: (308) 627-6746 Email: [email protected] econdev.nppd.com 985 Dawes County 9,088 Table of Contents 3Geography 19 4Economic Development 20Education 8Labor 30Community Services 10 Market Access 12Infrastructure 16Communications 17 Tax Structure 22 32 Local Government Quality of Life Agriculture & Raw Materials 34Climate C R AW F O R D ● N E B R A S K A Geography Location Crawford is located in western Dawes County, 60 miles from the Wyoming border and 20 miles from the South Dakota border. U.S. Highway 20 and Nebraska Highways 2 and 71 intersect in Crawford. The community of Crawford is 75 miles north of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and 285 miles northeast of Denver, Colorado. North Elevation Crawford is 3,675 feet above sea level. WYOMING SOUTH DAKOTA IOWA CRAWFORD MISSOURI COLORADO KANSAS 3 4 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E Economic Development Firms with retail sales tax permits in Crawford reported 2013 net taxable retail sales of $7,575,295, while Dawes County reported retail sales of $88,489,176. Economic Development Organizations Nebraska Northwest Development Corporation (NNDC) is a private, not for profit corporation funded by memberships from the cities of Crawford and Chadron, Dawes County, and business and government memberships. NNDC provides business assistance through consulting, expansion and retention activities, and a revolving loan fund. They also provide advocacy on issues, grant writing, administration, and act as a point of contact for any business looking to locate or expand in the county. The organization is funded by 50 business members, the cities of Crawford and Chadron, and Dawes County. Approximately 24 acres in and adjacent to Crawford are zoned for industry. Crawford’s Top Ten Nonmanufacturing Employers Employees Dawes County............................................58 Government Crow Butte Resources..............................50 Uranium development Ponderosa Villa..........................................49 Nursing home Crawford Public Schools..........................48 Education BNSF Railway Company...........................45 Transportation Crawford Livestock Market......................40 Livestock sales Fort Robinson State Park........................ 20* Recreation WESTCO.....................................................11 Bulk fuel, convenience store City of Crawford.........................................10 Government D & S Market................................................8 Grocery *plus 100 seasonal employees Crow Butte Resources Staff D & S Market C R AW F O R D Bighorn Auto Supply Charlie’s Garage Crawford Pharmacy ● N E B R A S K A 5 CENEX C‑Store Crawford Companion Animal Clinic & Pet Spaw Dairy Sweet 6 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E Dakota Ridge Herren Brothers True Value Horizon West Dental MJ’s Ranch House Heritage Seed Co. Hilltop Motel Kountry Loft Antiques NUPAC Construction C R AW F O R D Perennial Haus Art & Espresso Pine Needle Quilts Southside Cottage & RV Park Staab’s Drive Inn ● N E B R A S K A Phillips Mini Storage Rhonda’s New Waves Spiffy Car Wash Tommy’s Car Lot 7 8 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E Labor Nonfarm Wage & Salary Employment, Dawes County, 2013 Annual Average Professional & Business Services 2.8% Other Services 1.6% Information 1.5% Financial Activities 3.4% Unemployment Rate Annual Average 2013 Dawes County 4.0% Nebraska 3.9% United States 7.4% Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Goods Producing 6.2% 2006-2011 Percent Change Value Added Per Dollar Manufacturing Production Worker Wages Nebraska, Surrounding States & U.S. Total Government 34.2% Leisure & Hospitality 13.2% 25.0 20.8% 20.0 Education & Health Services 14.5% Trade, Transportation, 15.0 Warehouse & Utilities 22.6% 11.7% 10.0 Source: Nebraska Department of Labor 5.0 0.0 Dawes County Labor Supply Annual Average 2013 Dawes & Contiguous Counties* 10.2% U.S. Surrounding States Nebraska Surrounding states include data for states contiguous to Nebraska as a group, including Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Dawes County Non-farm wage and salary workers..................... 9,246 3,353 Total employment................ 14,033 4,861 Labor force population........ 14,613 5,065 ADDITIONAL POTENTIAL LABOR SUPPLY County high school graduates annually.................................................. 59 Commuting out of county (2011).............. 1,061 Unemployed........................................... 204 Total....................................................... 1,324 NOTE: Does not include estimated number of homemakers, seasonal & part-time workers, and workers who would shift from low‑paying jobs who could be expected to work for industry. *Contiguous counties include Box Butte, Sheridan, and Sioux Counties in Nebraska. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, www.census.gov Unionization Nebraska has a right to work provision in its constitution. In 2012, 6.0 percent of Nebraska’s wage and salary workers were members of labor unions compared to a national figure of 11.3 percent. Local Labor Unions BNSF Railway Company Standard Railroad Unions Crawford Public Schools Nebraska State Education Association Fringe Benefits Local industries estimate fringe benefits to range from 25 to 45 percent of wages. C R AW F O R D ● N E B R A S K A 9 Average Hourly Earnings for Production Workers, 2012 U.S. Average NEBRASKA California Colorado Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Michigan Minnesota Missouri Pennsylvania Wisconsin $16.64 $19.08 $20.20 $25.13 $19.17 $18.50 $17.41 $18.46 $20.71 $19.19 $18.05 $18.26 $18.05 0 $5 $15 $10 $20 $25 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) Average Annual Unemployment Insurance Contribution Per Covered Employee, 2012 U.S. Average NEBRASKA California Colorado Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Michigan Minnesota Missouri Pennsylvania Wisconsin $405 $335 $490 $531 $487 $326 $581 $302 $0 Source: $417 $227 $100 $200 $300 $676 $583 $556 $400 $600 $500 $700 $800 Values calculated by Ken Lemke, Nebraska Public Power District, from U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Average Employer Contribution Rates by State, 2012. http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov Wage Sampling: Hourly wage rates for various occupations, Panhandle Region, Nebraska 10th Standard Occupational Code Title Percentile Accountants and Auditors 17.17 Computer Programmers* 20.40 Registered Nurses 22.20 Retail Salespersons 8.22 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical 9.26 Customer Service Representatives 9.35 Office Clerks, General 8.26 Assemblers and Fabricators, All Other 8.49 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand 9.16 Machinists 10.65 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers 9.20 Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters 10.94 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers 12.07 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators 9.96 Electricians 11.79 Tool and Die Makers* 15.25 50th Percentile 23.47 35.34 28.77 10.50 13.36 13.07 10.89 10.96 11.80 14.71 13.63 15.58 18.09 12.24 19.13 22.74 90th Percentile 39.81 56.62 36.94 15.72 18.37 18.96 15.68 16.25 17.32 20.97 25.01 20.29 27.64 17.26 29.28 30.04 *Wage information taken from Nebraska Statewide Source: Nebraska Workforce Development, Occupational Employment Statistics Program, Fourth Quarter 2014 Workforce The Nebraska Department of Labor serves employers and job seekers across Nebraska through its “One‑Stop Career Centers” located across the state. Services for employers include employee recruitment and screening, posting job openings, tax credit information, and labor market and labor law information. Job seekers can find a full array of employment and training related services including on‑site services provided by a network of mandatory Workforce Investment Act partners. The nearest One‑Stop Career Center is located in Alliance, 58 miles southeast from Crawford. To learn more about these and other services, visit https://neworks.nebraska.gov. 10 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E Market Access Highways Crawford is located at the intersection of US Highway 20 and Nebraska Highway 2. It is 100 miles west to Interstate 25, 120 miles north to Interstate 90, and 134 miles south to Interstate 80. Bus Lines Crawford Public Transportation provides service in the community. Trucklines More than 13,500 licensed motor carriers with worldwide connections are based in Nebraska and serve businesses throughout North America. Area trucking companies include Connell Trucking in Crawford; Larry Johnson Trucking, Chadron; Nebraska Transport Company, Alliance; and Brown Transfer, Scottsbluff. The following trucking map is based on North Platte, Nebraska, 231 miles southeast of Crawford. Crawford Public Transportation Air The Chadron Municipal Airport, 25 miles northeast of Crawford has two daily commercial flights available from Great Lakes Airlines to Denver, Colorado. The airport has two hard‑surfaced runways (6,000 feet and 4,000 feet). The latitude at the airport is 42‑50‑15N and the longitude is 103‑05‑43W. Services include instrument landing system, fuel, storage, and aircraft maintenance. Nearest Commercial Air Service Chadron Municipal Airport Chadron, Nebraska..................... 25 miles, 24 minutes Source: Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Legal Trucking Distances from North Platte, Nebraska [maps]. 2014. 1:26,000,000; generated by Melissa Trueblood; using ESRI Business Analyst Desktop 10.2.1 Software and Data. Western Nebraska Regional Airport Scottsbluff, Nebraska.................. 78 miles, 83 minutes Rapid City Regional Airport Rapid City, South Dakota........ 125 miles, 122 minutes Water Barge service is not available near Crawford. C R AW F O R D Rail The BNSF Railway Company serves Crawford with approximately 35–50 freight trains daily, of which 90 percent are coal. For further information regarding BNSF Railway Company, visit www.bnsf.com. Nebraska Northwestern Railroad also serves Crawford with one freight train every two weeks. BNSF coal train coming from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming Photo Courtesy of BNSF Railway Company ● N E B R A S K A 11 12 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E Infrastructure Nebraska Highlights Energy costs are often a considerable part of any business’ operational budget. These costs can vary greatly between states, but in Nebraska (the only state in the nation where all electric utilities are publicly owned) electric costs are passed to consumers at low, cost-of-service rates. As a result, the state claims industrial rates well below the national average. Nebraska electric utilities are able to offer low rates, in part, because they draw from a balanced and efficient “mix” of generation resources. This mix includes coal, natural gas, oil, diesel, and methane along with carbon‑free generation, like nuclear power, wind power, and hydropower. Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is the state’s largest electric generating utility in terms of chartered territory, which includes all or parts of 86 of Nebraska’s 93 counties. NPPD relies upon nine major generating facilities, more than 5,000 miles of high‑voltage power lines, approximately 260 substations, and thousands more miles of distribution lines. Because the system is interconnected to electrical grids in other states, NPPD works with regional utilities and industry entities to ensure power is delivered safely and dependably to Nebraskans. NPPD has a new wholesale Economic Development Rate (EDR) for qualifying projects. To be eligible for the new, low EDR, a project must be a customer of NPPD’s Retail Division or an NPPD wholesale customer, generate a new or additional electric load of at least one megawatt, have a minimum monthly load factor of 60 percent, and end‑use customer enters into a written agreement with the State or any political subdivision to provide an economic development project pursuant to state or local law. NPPD is the state’s leader in generating electricity with renewable resources. NPPD owns and operates three hydropower facilities and a 36‑turbine, 60‑megawatt wind energy facility. NPPD has invested millions in the state’s development of wind power during the past 13 years. Knowing that it would be more economical for ratepayers, NPPD recently signed 20‑year, multi‑million‑dollar agreements with private wind developers to purchase power generated from community‑based, wind‑powered generation facilities. In addition, NPPD continues to explore other opportunities to add more wind power to its generation portfolio in the next ten years. With a proven not‑for‑profit power system, strong infrastructure, a commitment to renewable energy, and a plan for meeting customers’ needs well into the future, Nebraska’s public power utilities help make Nebraska an excellent location for industries. Natural gas in Nebraska is also attractive to industry for service, supply, and price. A gas‑producing state, Nebraska is close and well‑connected by pipeline to the major gas fields of the central and southern plains. The state’s average cost of industrial gas is less than both the regional and national averages. The pipelines of two major companies, Northern Natural Gas and Kinder Morgan, provide an ample supply of natural gas to most areas of Nebraska. Depending on usage requirements, natural gas is offered both on a “firm” and “interruptible” basis. NPPD’s Sources of Energy - 2013 (All resources owned or purchased) Beatrice Power Station Cooper Nuclear Station Gas & Oil 0.8% Gerald Gentleman Station Ainsworth Wind Facility Hydro 2.5% Coal 56.6% * Purchases 5.5% Wind 4.6% Nuclear 30.0% * Purchases = 4.3% WAPA @ 795 Gwh 1.2% Others @ 212 Gwh C R AW F O R D Nebraska’s Energy Costs Are Among The Lowest In The Nation ● N E B R A S K A 2013 Average Retail Price of Energy Costs Residential Electric Natural Gas (Cents per Kilowatt Hour) (Dollars per Thousand Cubic Feet) Commercial Industrial Residential Commercial Industrial U.S. Average 12.12 10.29 6.82 10.32 8.08 4.64 NEBRASKA 10.31 8.62 7.22 8.39 6.49 4.72 California 16.39 14.57 11.17 9.92 7.81 6.57 Colorado 11.87 9.87 7.22 7.82 7.25 5.90 Illinois 10.25 7.88 5.73 8.20 7.57 6.00 Indiana 10.84 9.48 6.59 8.43 7.59 6.54 Iowa 11.15 8.47 5.66 8.99 6.97 5.43 Kansas 11.56 9.54 7.07 10.19 9.10 4.85 Massachusetts 15.73 14.51 13.09 13.60 11.29 10.31 Michigan 14.59 11.07 7.78 9.09 7.82 6.97 Minnesota 11.94 9.53 7.06 8.19 6.86 4.94 Missouri 10.52 8.72 6.14 10.88 9.00 8.19 New Jersey 15.72 12.80 10.71 10.89 9.55 8.19 New York 18.84 15.23 6.29 12.49 7.98 7.44 Ohio 11.91 9.38 6.10 9.46 6.20 6.14 Pennsylvania 12.82 9.26 7.00 11.58 10.15 9.21 Texas 11.37 8.03 5.93 10.50 7.25 3.92 Wisconsin 13.70 10.84 7.54 8.65 7.07 6.02 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2013 Annual Crawford Utilities Electricity Crawford is provided retail electric service by Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD). Service is supplied by a 34,000‑volt feeder from a 115,000‑volt substation located east of Crawford The substation consists of three 1,000 kVA, 34.5/4.16 transformers. The system is connected to NPPD’s statewide grid system. Residential Service Customer Charge: Summer Winter 10.61¢ 8.67¢ per kWh for the first 750 kWh used per month 10.61¢ 6.23¢ per kWh for all additional use General Service Base Electric Rates (effective 1/1/13) Summer bills run from June–September. Winter bills run from October–May. Customers who are served from distribution facilities for which NPPD has a Lease Payment or Debt Service obligation and/or a Gross Revenue Tax obligation will have the Base Rate adjusted to include such obligations. All rates are subject to application of a Production Cost Adjustment (PCA) and Base Rate adjustments. All minimum billings include the customer charge. $19.00 per month Customer Charge: Single Phase $21.00 per month Three Phase $26.00 per month Summer Winter 11.16¢ 9.23¢ per kWh for the first 1,000 kWh used per month 11.16¢ 8.00¢ per kWh for all additional use 13 14 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E General Service Demand Customer Charge: Single Phase $100.00 per month Three Phase $115.00 per month Summer Winter 12.58¢ 9.45¢ per kWh for the first 200 kWh per kW of demand used per month 4.58¢ 3.62¢ per kWh for all additional use Commercial Electric Space Heating Customer Charge: Single Phase $57.00 per month Three Phase $66.00 per month Summer Winter 12.57¢ 9.03¢ 4.65¢ 3.66¢ per kWh for the first 200 kWh per kW of demand used per month per kWh for all additional use High Tension Service Customer Charge: $425.00 per month Demand Charge: Summer Winter $14.40 $10.65 per kW of billing demand Energy Charge: Summer Winter 4.48¢ 3.69¢ per kWh for all on‑peak energy 3.84¢ 2.95¢ per kWh for all off‑peak energy High Tension Service and General Service Demand rates are subject to various adders and discounts depending upon the customer’s requirements, metering, etc. NPPD has off‑peak and load management rates available to qualifying customers. Prospective customers should contact Nebraska Public Power District, (877) 275‑6773, www.nppd.com, for further information regarding electric rates and service. Natural Gas Natural gas is supplied to Crawford by SourceGas Distribution, LLC, through a 3‑inch transmission pipeline with an operating pressure of approximately 550–600 pounds per square inch. SourceGas is the retail distributor of natural gas within the community, serving approximately 500 residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Choice Gas is available to natural gas customers in Crawford. Natural gas is available for residential and commercial uses. Availability of natural gas for industrial uses is subject to individual situations. As specific requirements of an industrial prospect become available, information on gas service availability and applicable rates can be obtained from SourceGas’s Service Center at (800) 563-0012. Other Fuels LP Gas & Oil LP gas and oil is available for residential and commercial uses from WESTCO in Chadron, 25 miles northeast of Crawford. Water The municipal water system in Crawford is supplied by two wells, which have an average depth of 100 feet. The system, serving the entire city, has a combined pumping capacity of 155 gallons per minute and an overhead storage capacity of 1,750,000 gallons. The average daily demand is 250,000 gallons, and the historic peak daily demand is 1,000,000 gallons. The system has a maximum capacity of 2,473,000 gallons per day. The static pressure is 58 pounds per square inch and the residual pressure is 25 pounds per square inch. The city’s wells produce up to 1,500,000 gallons of water per day. The water table has not changed significantly in the past five years. The quality of water in Crawford does not necessitate a water treatment plant. C R AW F O R D Water Rates (effective 8/27/2013) A water turn‑on fee of $35–$70 is charged. A tapping fee of $700–$1,000 is charged for new water services. Metered Rate: Residential, Commercial & Industrial ● N E B R A S K A Sewerage Crawford has a municipal sanitary sewerage system and a surface flow storm sewer system. The activated sludge treatment plant was built in 2014 and has a daily capacity of 750,000 gallons and an average daily flow of 200,000 gallons. Sewer-Use Charges (effective 7/23/2013) A sewer permit and inspection fee of $35–$70 is charged for new service. Meter Size Readiness to Service Charge per Month 5/8" and 3/4" $ 22.00 1" $ 39.50 1 1/2" $ 57.00 2" $ 82.00 2 1/2" $109.50 3" $124.50 First 15,000 gallons or less $50.00 per month 4" $162.00 Over 15,000 gallons $1.50 per 1,000 gallons Minimum Bill: $50.00 per month Residential $50.00 per month for single family residence Commercial & Industrial Water Charge: $1.85 per each 1,000 gallons used Minimum Bill: Readiness to Service Charge Bulk Rate: Residential, Commercial & Industrial $5.50 per each 1,000 gallons used Minimum Bill: $5.00 per month 15 Solid Waste Disposal Privately owned waste removal services are available from Stumpf Santitation in Crawford. Wastes are hauled to a landfill owned by Solid Waste Agency of Northwest Nebraska (SWANN) in Chadron, 25 miles northeast of Crawford. Solid Waste Removal Rates (effective 2010) Residential $22.10 per month per living unit Commercial & Industrial Small container $31.72 Large container $98.00 Base fees include weekly pick‑up Crawford Wastewater Treatment Plant Recycling Recyclables are taken to various Solid Waste Agency of Northwest Nebraska (SWANN) locations. Items accepted include glass, paper, aluminum, batteries, and tires. 16 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E Communications Nebraska is the first state to be served totally by digital switching, and continues to be served by one of the nation’s most advanced telecommunications networks. Telecommunications Newspaper Weekly newspapers delivered in Crawford include the Crawford Clipper/Harrison Sun with 1,200 subscribers and the Chadron Record with 2,000 subscribers. Daily papers delivered to retail outlets are the Scottsbluff Star‑Herald and the Rapid City Journal. Telecommunications services in Crawford are provided by CenturyLink. Internet Internet providers in Crawford include CenturyLink, Mobius Communications, Allo Communications, and Nebraska Technology & Telecommunications (NT&T). Post Office The U.S. Postal Service in Crawford provides house‑to‑house delivery service and has one mail receipt and one dispatch daily. Crawford Clipper/Harrison Sun Radio Stations Carrying Local News Call Letters U.S. Post Office Package Delivery Service Federal Express, United Parcel Service, and the U.S. Postal Service provide package delivery services in the Crawford area. Frequency Location KCSR-AM 610 KHz Chadron KBPY‑FM 107.7 MHz Chadron KQSK-FM 97.5 MHz Chadron KCNB-FM 94.7 MHz Chadron Television Stations Carrying Local News Call Letters KDUH Channel Location 4 Scottsbluff C R AW F O R D ● N E B R A S K A 17 Tax Structure Nebraska Highlights ●● Nebraska assesses income tax based upon the amount of federal taxable income ●● No state property tax ●● No inventory tax ●● No personal property tax on intangibles ●● No sales tax on: ○○ raw materials when used as ingredients or component parts in manufacturing operations ○○ sales of energy for processing or manufacturing purposes ○○ water used exclusively in manufacturing and processing ○○ qualified agricultural machinery and equipment ○○ manufacturing machinery, equipment, and related services ●● Sales and use tax refunds are available on qualifying air and water pollution control equipment ●● Sales and use tax refunds are available on property qualifying for certain investment incentives The Nebraska State Government is financed by an individual income tax, corporate income tax, 5.5 percent sales and use tax, corporate occupation tax, and selective excise taxes (liquor, tobacco, motor fuels, etc.). Local governments are financed primarily by property taxes, although some cities and counties collect a local option sales tax of between 0.5 and 2.0 percent. Property taxes are levied against real and personal property by local political subdivisions such as counties, cities, school districts, fire districts, etc., to provide for local services. All real property except agricultural land is assessed at actual or market value. Agricultural land is assessed at 75 percent of actual value. Personal property is assessed at net book value. Tax rates are expressed in dollars and cents for each $100 of actual value. Market value is determined by each county assessor through professionally accepted mass appraisal methods, which include, but are not limited to: ●● Comparison with sales of real property of known or recognized value, taking into account location, zoning, current functional use, and other statutory guidelines (sales comparison approach) ●● Earning capacity of the real property (income approach) ●● Cost less depreciation (cost approach) Nebraska Tax Incentives Nebraska’s performance‑based tax incentive programs demonstrate the state’s commitment to creating a favorable business environment for your business expansion or location. Known collectively as the “Nebraska Advantage Package,” this multi‑tiered program provides investment credits, wage credits, sales tax refunds based on investment and job creation in Nebraska. Qualified companies, large and small can take advantage of these benefits. For more information on the qualifications and potential benefits available to your company contact the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, (800) 426‑6505 or visit www.neded.org. 18 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E 2014 Actual Valuation City of Crawford, Nebraska Real Estate Crawford 2014 Tax Rates Personal Property $2,196,350 Fire District $0.028873 Natural Resource District $0.020416 Educational Service Unit $0.016632 Agricultural Society $0.004187 Community College $0.100533 County $0.363898 $28,944,325 School District $0.981695 City $0.500000 Total: $2.016234 (dollars and cents per $100 of actual value) Total: $31,140,675 Local Bonded Indebtedness City General Obligation Bonds (as of 10/1/2014) $809,249 County Bonds (as of 6/1/2014) $604,882 Crawford City Hall C R AW F O R D ● N E B R A S K A 19 Local Government Crawford, a second‑class city, has a mayor‑council form of government elected by popular vote for two- and four‑year terms respectively. The 2014–15 actual budget is $4,639,257. Dawes County has three precincts and is governed by three county commissioners, who are elected by popular vote for four‑year terms. The actual county budget for 2013–14 was $4,144,853. The county belongs to the Panhandle Area Development District along with 11 other counties. Fire Protection Fire protection is provided to the city by a 40‑member volunteer fire department; 12 members are certified emergency medical technicians. The Crawford Volunteer Fire Department provides protection outside the city limits to rural customers in conjunction with the Rural Volunteer Fire Department serving 760 square miles. Crawford has one fire station and 76 fire hydrants. The fire insurance classification inside the corporate limits is 6; outside it is 9. Annual expenditures for the last three years averaged $100,000. 2012 Crime Rates (per 1,000 population) Violent Crimes Property Crimes Dawes County 1.2 19.4 Nebraska 2.6 27.5 U.S Total 3.9 28.6 Source: www.ncc.state.ne.us State Patrol Troop E of the Nebraska State Patrol is headquartered in Scottsbluff, 75 miles southwest of Crawford. Streets Crawford has 12 miles of streets; 9 miles are hard‑surfaced with concrete. No local load restrictions are enforced. One hundred percent of the streets have curbs and 75 percent have sidewalks. Building Regulations The Uniform Building Codes are enforced in Crawford. Planning Crawford has a five‑member planning commission. Members are approved by the City Council to serve three‑year terms. Crawford Volunteer Fire Department Law Enforcement The Comprehensive Plan for Crawford was prepared in 1998 by Panhandle Area Development District, Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The plan is under review for a revision in 2015. The city of Crawford contracts with the Sheriff’s Department for patrol and protection. Annual expenditures for police and fire protection for the last three years averaged $218,000. Sheriff The Dawes County Sheriff’s Department has three sworn officers and six support personnel. Standard equipment is utilized by the sheriff’s department. Regular patrol by the sheriff’s department is provided to existing area industries. Dawes County Sheriff’s Department 20 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E Education Crawford Public School System Type of School Students Elementary (Pre‑K) Teacher/Pupil Ratio Computer/Pupil Ratio 23 1:12 1:2 101 1:14 1:2 Middle School (7–8) 35 1:7 1:1 High School (9–12) 71 1:7 1:1 Elementary (K–6) School District No. 23‑0071 in Dawes County covers 286 square miles and has a 2014 actual valuation of $228,021,145, with an actual valuation per student of $991,396. This Class 3 school is accredited by the Nebraska Department of Education. The 2014–15 school operating expenses totaled $3,984,568, with an average cost per pupil of $15,276. Several of Nebraska’s universities are ranked as national leaders at making quality education affordable. Colleges & Universities Frequently Attended by Crawford High School Graduates Miles Report Card 2013–2014 ACT Test Composite Nebraska 21.7 National 21.0 Source: Nebraska Department of Education Chadron, NE 25 Chadron State College Scottsbluff, NE 75 Western Nebraska Community College Torrington, WY 104 Eastern Wyoming Community College Educational Service Unit Rapid City, SD Educational Service Unit 13 (ESU), with locations in Chadron, Scottsbluff, and Sidney, serves 11 counties including Dawes County. ESU 13 provides vocational/tech prep programs. Distance learning, physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy are available. Spearfish, SD Higher Education An abundance of public colleges and universities are available in Nebraska. There are also a number of community colleges as well as private colleges and trade schools. A large number of degree programs are available and some institutions offer courses and workshops specially tailored to meet specific training needs of industry, education, and business. 121 School of Mines 171 Black Hills State University Laramie, WY 210 University of Wyoming Kearney, NE 328 University of Nebraska – Kearney Milford, NE 409 Southeast Community College Lincoln, NE University of Nebraska - Lincoln 424 C R AW F O R D Crawford Elementary School Crawford Middle / High School ● N E B R A S K A 21 22 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E Quality of Life Health Care Hospital Nursing Home Ponderosa Villa The Chadron Community Hospital, 25 miles northeast of Crawford, is an acute care facility with 25 beds. Services include 24‑hour emergency room, surgery, radiology, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, laboratory, home health and hospice, assisted living, occupational and speech therapies, Community Health Resources, dialysis, and IV therapy. 35 beds Assisted Living Ponderosa Villa 18 units Special clinics at the hospital include: audiology, bariatric, cardiology, echocardiogram, ENT, internal medicine, nephrology, neurology, OB/GYN, orthopedics, pacemakers, pathology, and urology. Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, 75 miles southwest from Crawford, is an ancillary facility utilized by Crawford patients. Clinics Legend Buttes Health Services in Crawford is open Monday through Friday with visiting physicians from the Chadron Medical Clinic. Ponderosa Villa Low Cost Housing Ponderosa Settlement 21 units Legend Buttes Health Services Rescue Squad The Crawford Volunteer Fire Department, with two ambulances, has 40 volunteer members and 1 support personnel; 12 members are certified emergency medical technicians. They provide first responder service and transport to other facilities. Ponderosa Settlement C R AW F O R D ● N E B R A S K A Library The Crawford Public Library contains 15,150 volumes and has an average annual circulation of 13,400. The library has periodicals, CDs, DVDs, and five public computers with Internet access, and Wufoo available. Activities include story hour, senior reading program, and summer reading program. Congregational Church Crawford Public Library Churches Denomination ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● Bethlehem Lutheran Church Catholic Christ Community Congregational Lutheran Methodist Seventh‑Day Adventist Methodist Church St. John’s Catholic Church Christ Community Church Seventh‑Day Adventist Church 23 24 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E Recreation There are two parks in Crawford covering 60 acres. Crawford City Park has a rodeo arena, park pavilion, playground, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, shelter, tables, camping, rest rooms, disc golf, airsoft field, and motocross course. Peabody Hale Park has a swimming pool, picnic area with tables, playground, baseball diamond, community center, and rest rooms. Legend Buttes Golf Course is a nine‑hole, award winning public course. Built next to the stunning Red Cloud Buttes, the grass greens and tee boxes offer spectacular scenery. A full service clubhouse is also available. Hunting - Crawford is known as the Big Game Capital of Nebraska because of the available hunting options. Elk, deer, and antelope seasons bring hundreds of hunters to the region to take their trophies on thousands of public acres. They hunt with bow and arrow, muzzle loaders, and traditional rifles. Wild turkeys are also in season twice a year. Between the national forest and grasslands, state and conservation easement property, private landowners, and outfitters, the Crawford area is home to some of the best hunting in Nebraska. There is even a limited Big Horn Sheep season which brings notoriety to the region. Fort Robinson State Park is located three miles west of Crawford with more than 22,000 acres of exquisite Pine Ridge scenery, compelling old west military history, lodging, activities, scenic camping, and the park’s own buffalo and longhorn herds. This was the site of the 1879 Cheyenne Outbreak and the death of famed Sioux Chief Crazy Horse. The State Historical Society operates a museum and many restored or reconstructed exhibit buildings to interpret the Fort’s history. The University of Nebraska operates the Trailside Museum, which interprets the geology and natural history of the region. The park has all outdoor amenities, horseback riding, open‑air jeep rides among the buttes, professional summer theater, fishing, crafts, swimming, and a restaurant. The park is open year‑round with activities from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Hudson‑Meng Bison Bonebed - The Pine Ridge of Nebraska holds one of the most important Paleoindian (the first documented Americans) archaeological sites yet discovered anywhere on the Great Plains, the Hudson-Meng site, located in a small sheltered valley that served as an occasional home to several of the earliest cultures to live in this part of North America between about 10,200 and 11,200 years ago. The natural resources of the valley—flowing spring, wooded groves, and vast surrounding grasslands—attracted both herds of bison and groups of hunter‑gatherers to the place for thousands of years. And the ways that people and bison interacted at the site has created an archaeological mystery about how people lived after the Ice Age. Discovered in 1954 during the construction of a stockpond, the site was originally excavated in the 1970’s and interpreted as the largest Paleoindian‑age bison kill site ever discovered, with as many as 600 animals having been taken in one hunt. Subsequent research during the 1990’s led to differing interpretations as archaeologists then suggested that the bison died from multiple events. Some theorized that the main portion of the bonebed may not represent a hunting site at all, but that the animals may have died during a natural event such as a raging prairie grass fire. Current researchers at the site, through the use of modern scientific techniques, are still attempting to solve the mystery! A visit to the Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center will allow you to view a contemporary archaeological excavation in progress. In 1997, a climate controlled enclosure was completed over the central portion of the bonebed, and the site is open to the public each summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day. When you visit, you’ll find interpretive displays, guided tours, and interactive science activities to help you understand why this is such an important discovery, and you are even encouraged to develop your own theories about what might have happened to the bison. The site is located northwest of Crawford in Nebraska’s Oglala National Grassland administered by the Nebraska National Forest, on the shoulder of the picturesque Pine Ridge, overlooking the Black Hills of South Dakota. As an added bonus, it’s only a few miles (or a short hike) to the moonscape of Toadstool Geologic Park. High Plains Homestead - An old‑west cowtown is slowly coming alive on the windswept prairie of northwest Nebraska, surrounded by rugged badlands and framed by trees of the beautiful pine ridge. Amongst the ruggedness and beauty, rejuvenate your spirit through a wide variety of activities that can only happen here and are only limited by your imagination. Some of the most popular activities include: family “get‑togethers” and group retreats for the day or overnight in the bunkhouse cabins, birding, geocaching, fossil hunting, horseback riding (bring your own horse), mountain biking, hunting of all kinds (turkey, deer, antelope and prairie dog), and great cowboy cookin’ at the Cookshack. Plus, every night, a front row seat to The Best Show in the Universe..., right off the front porch. Located north and a little west of Crawford, follow the signs off of Nebraska Highway 2. C R AW F O R D ● N E B R A S K A Crawford City Park Peabody Hale Park Community Building 25 26 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E Legend Buttes Golf Course C R AW F O R D Toadstool Park Geologic Park - The spectacular rock formations and unusual examples of the effects of water and wind over millions of years make the Toadstool Geologic Park Trail Hike a definite “must see” on any Western Nebraska road trip. The Park is in the Oglala National Grasslands and is in an area sometimes called the Nebraska Badlands. Many unusual geologic formations are visible and the park has yielded some scientifically useful fossil deposits, some of which are still evident as “tracks” in the rocks. Soldier Creek Wilderness Area - Soldier Creek Wilderness is located northwest of Fort Robinson State Park. Created by an act of Congress in 1986, the wilderness is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and covers an area of 7,794 acres within the Pine Ridge section of the Nebraska National Forest. The wilderness experienced a large wildfire in 1989, which destroyed almost 90 percent of the ponderosa pine forest, which today is slowly rebounding. The threatened bald eagle can be found here, as can white-tailed deer, mule deer, bobcats, coyotes and numerous other mammals. The region, which was originally established as a timber reservation for nearby Fort Robinson, was utilized by the U.S. Cavalry from the late 19th century through World War II for its excellent horse pastures along Soldier Creek. A series of trails pass two windmills that are still functioning, even though they are not maintained and are over 100 years old. A popular destination for horseback riding, the wilderness is the larger of the two federally-designated wilderness areas in Nebraska. Crawford Senior Center offers senior meals. Activities include cards, videos, and socializing. The RSVP Center has volunteer activities and socializing. The Historical Society Museum displays local community and business history, newspaper archives, and photos. Historical Society Museum ● N E B R A S K A Annual Celebrations June Intertribal Gathering Pow‑wow featuring competitive dancing from tribes of the Plains Indians, local vendors, kids activities, 5 and 10k walk/run Crawford High School Rodeo Crawford All Alumni Banquet Ride the Ridge Daylong trail ride by horseback in the Pine Ridge; open to public; bring your own horse July Fourth of July Professional rodeo, art show, parade, fireworks Peabody Hale Fiddle Contest Fiddle contest featuring dances, games, contests for several age groups, food Women’s Rodeo Rodeo events for women August Senior Pro Rodeo Professional rodeo for entrants over 50 September Northwest Nebraska Rock Swap Vendors buying, selling, and trading rocks and minerals December Historical Christmas at the Fort Recreation of Christmas dinner provided at Fort Robinson, served in the Fort headquarters building with period dress, decoration, and menu 27 28 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E Scenes from Crawford Parade Crawford Rodeo Miss Rodeo Nebraska Cattle Drive in Crawford Buttes & Horses Fireworks C R AW F O R D ● N E B R A S K A 29 Financial Institutions Housing ●● Security First Bank One new home was constructed in the past three years. The cost of new home construction averages $50 per square foot. Security First Bank New Housing Crawford Neighborhood 30 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E Community Services Crawford is a ranch community that offers necessities and more to the area families. Drawing on residents in a 30‑mile radius, Crawford is home to the largest livestock sale barn in the region, hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, and boasts the only uranium mine in Nebraska. The excellent school district attracts families who want to live in a small town that features personal attention. Contractors Professional Gravel.............................................................. 3 Attorneys..............................................................1 Auctioneers..........................................................1 Certified Public Accountants.................................1 Medical Dentists..............................................................3 Family Practice Physicians................................3 Nurses, Registered............................................4 Pharmacists.......................................................2 Veterinarians........................................................3 Business and Commercial Building............................................................ 2 Carpentry......................................................... 6 Concrete.......................................................... 1 Excavating....................................................... 2 General (commercial)...................................... 3 General (residential)........................................ 3 Heating & Air Conditioning............................... 1 Painting............................................................ 1 Plumbing.......................................................... 1 Remodeling..................................................... 6 Well Digging.................................................... 2 Convenience Stores........................................... 2 Copying & Duplicating Services......................... 1 Craft Stores........................................................ 2 Electric Motor Repairs........................................ 1 Farm/Ranch Supplies......................................... 1 Feed & Seed Dealers......................................... 1 Fertilizer Suppliers/Applicators........................... 1 Floral Shops....................................................... 2 Accounting/Bookkeeping Agencies.................... 1 Gift Shops........................................................... 4 Antique Shops.................................................... 2 Grain Dealers..................................................... 1 Apparel Stores Grocery Stores................................................... 1 Women’s.......................................................... 1 Hardware Stores................................................ 1 Appliance Stores................................................ 1 Insurance Companies........................................ 2 Auto Body Repair & Services............................. 1 Landscaping Equipment & Supplies................... 1 Auto Repair & Services...................................... 2 Laundromats...................................................... 1 Auto Supply Parts............................................... 1 Lumberyards...................................................... 1 Automobile Dealers............................................ 1 Meat Processors................................................ 1 Aviation Seeding & Spraying.............................. 2 Motels/Hotels........................................(37 rooms) 2 Bakeries............................................................. 2 Nurseries & Garden Centers.............................. 2 Banquet Facilities, Halls Auditoriums & Meeting Rooms........................ 4 Pet Boarding/Grooming Services....................... 1 Beauty Salons/Barber Shops............................. 3 Real Estate Firms............................................... 1 Bed & Breakfasts.................................. (12 rooms) 3 Restaurants........................................................ 6 Caterers.............................................................. 2 Service Stations................................................. 1 Child Care Services ........................................... 1 Variety Stores..................................................... 1 Pharmacies........................................................ 1 Welding Shops................................................... 2 C R AW F O R D Downtown Crawford ● N E B R A S K A 31 32 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E Agriculture & Raw Materials In 2012 Nebraska ranked third among the states in corn exports, third in total cash receipts from farm and ranch marketing, and fifth in agricultural exports. Nebraska’s farms and ranches utilized 45.5 million acres or 93 percent of the state’s total land area. Cash receipts from farm markets in 2012 contributed more than $24 billion to the state’s economy and 6.2 percent of the U.S. total. Food processing is the state’s largest manufacturing sector and foreign markets are important for many of the state’s manufacturers. Sources: Nebraska Agriculture Rankings - USDA ERS, USDA NASS; Food Processing Status - Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages The Ogallala Aquifer underlies 174,000 square miles in parts of eight states. The Ogallala Aquifer within Nebraska contains approximately 65 percent of the water in storage in the entire aquifer. With the implementation of more efficient irrigation systems and other water management measures, the Ogallala Aquifer will remain a valuable resource in Nebraska. Nebraska’s Rank Among States 1st... Great Northern Beans, Dry Edible, 2013 Cattle on Feed, Jan. 2014 Cropland Irrigated Acres, 2012 Popcorn, 2012 Red Meat Production, 2013 2nd... Light Red Kidney Beans, Dry Edible, 2013 Pinto Beans, Dry Edible, 2013 Bison, 2012 Cattle and Calves, All, Jan. 2014 3rd... Cash Receipts from Farm Marketings, 2012 Corn for Grain, 2013 Dry Edible Beans, All, 2013 Proso Millet, 2013 Nebraska’s Natural Resource Districts (NRDs) have responsibility for managing groundwater resources. The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources maintains responsibility for administration of surface water rights. In locations where groundwater and surface water are connected, the responsibility is shared among the NRDs and the state for achieving a sustainable balance between water supplies and water use. 4th... Beef Cows, All, Jan. 2014 Black Beans, Dry Edible, 2013 Land in Farms, 2013 On Farm Grain Storage Capacity, Dec. 2013 Off Farm Grain Storage Capacity, Dec. 2013 5th... Soybeans, 2013 WYOMING SOUTH DAKOTA Sugarbeets, 2013 6th... NEBRASKA Cropland, Total Acres, 2012 Hogs and Pigs, All, Dec. 2013 Principal Crops, Harvested, 2013 KANSAS Sorghum for Silage, 2013 7th... COLORADO Sorghum for Grain, 2013 8th... NEW MEXICO Hay, Alfalfa, 2013 OKLAHOMA Sunflower, All, 2013 9th... Hay, Other, 2013 TEXAS Corn for Silage, 2013 10th... Potatoes, Fall, 2013 Source: Nebraska Agriculture Rankings - USDA ERS, USDA NASS C R AW F O R D ● N E B R A S K A 33 Dawes County 2012 Statistics Dawes County State of Nebraska Number of Farms......................................................................................... 493.............................. 49,969 Land in Farms (acres)........................................................................... 824,038....................... 45,331,783 Average Size of Farms (acres).................................................................. 1,671................................... 907 Market Value of Agricultural Products Sold.................................... $75,631,000.............. $23,068,756,000 Market Value Per Farm........................................................................ $153,410.......................... $461,661 Total Acres Irrigated................................................................................. 21,390......................... 8,296,573 Percent of Farmland Irrigated.....................................................................2.6%............................... 18.3% Source: 2012 Census of Agriculture Five-Year Average Production of Leading Crops (2009–2013) Dawes County State of Nebraska Corn for Grain......................................................... ..................... 512,875 bu.* .............. 1,499,220,000 bu. Hay, Alfalfa.............................................................. ..................... 57,030 tons* ....................5,443,000 tons Winter Wheat.......................................................... ....................1,096,680 bu. ................... 59,794,000 bu. *4-Year Average Five-Year Average Livestock Population (2009–2013) Dawes County State of Nebraska All Cattle................................................................. ...............................66,600 ...........................6,320,000 Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service Raw Materials Uranium is mined at Crow Butte Resources, five miles southeast of Crawford. An estimated 700,000 pounds of yellow cake is produced annually. Ponderosa Pine timber is available with 50,000 acres considered commercial quality. Main agriculture crops are cattle, alfalfa and grass hay, and wheat. Cattle are sold live and processed elsewhere. Most hay is fed locally and not commercially sold. Wheat is generally sold at the elevator and shipped elsewhere for processing. Crawford Livestock Market West Plains Grain 34 C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E Climate Annual Maximum Temperature (F) Nebraskans enjoy four distinct seasons... spring, summer, fall, and winter Nebraska has a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Temperatures are highly variable from season to season and year to year. The majority of the state has an average annual maximum temperature of 60ºF to 65ºF with average annual minimum temperatures in the 30ºF to 40ºF range. State temperature records are -47ºF and 118ºF. The average number of days in excess of 100ºF range from 5 (northeast) to 11 (southwest) with most of the state between 6 and 9 days. Minimum temperatures below zero occur on average 7 days per year in southeast Nebraska to 20 days in north-central Nebraska. 72 69 66 63 60 NEBRASKA 57 54 51 48 Annual Minimum Temperature (F) Precipitation 48 45 Precipitation is also variable and ranges from an annual average of 15 to 20 inches in the west to 30 to 35 inches in southeast Nebraska. Approximately 75 percent of the precipitation falls as rain from April to September. Annual average snowfall ranges from 20 inches in the southeast to 50 inches in the northwest. Snowfall usually increases during late winter and reaches a maximum in March. 42 39 36 NEBRASKA 33 30 27 24 21 Growing Season The growing season fluctuates in length, but on average it ranges from 120 days in the extreme northwest to 170 days in the southeast. The average date of the last freeze in spring varies from April 25 in extreme southeast Nebraska to May 21 in extreme northwest. The first fall freeze typically occurs from September 20 in the extreme northwest to October 6 in the southeast part of the state. Annual Precipitation (inches) 45 40 35 30 NEBRASKA 25 20 15 10 Based on 30-year. climate normals 1981–2010 data from the High Plains Climate Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Source: www.hprcc.unl.edu C R AW F O R D Crawford ● N E B R A S K A N E B R A S K A Crow Butte Resources community website: crawfordnebraska.net “The Garden Beyond the Sandhills” 35 Crawford N E B R A S K A March 2015 www.nppd.com Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), Nebraska’s largest electric utility, assists in the economic development of the areas it serves. For more information on NPPD’s economic development assistance, contact the Economic Development Department, 1414 15th Street, PO Box 499, Columbus, NE 68602-0499, (800) 282-6773, Ext. 5534, email: [email protected], or visit our website at econdev.nppd.com. © Nebraska Public Power District, 2015 50A1687E