(308) 324-2386

Dave Behle, Key Accounts and Economic Development

Dave Behle, Key Accounts and Economic Development


Growing rural Nebraska isn’t easy. Businesses, like cafes, grocery stores and electricians, are closing and taking their families with them.
Fortunately, there are local leaders willing to roll up their sleeves and work hard to nurture their businesses and communities. Dawson PPD is digging in, too, to help these groups raise and retain a strong population.
Public power has always held an interest and responsibility in supporting the local economy. These utilities work with their local, regional and state economic development organizations to position communities and regions for economic growth, to assist with the expansion and retention of existing industry and to attract new businesses.
Dawson PPD is no different and accomplishes this in several ways, including supporting qualified local businesses and communities with its revolving loan fund.
“We encourage businesses to first seek financing and guidance from local lenders,” said Dave Behle, Dawson PPD Key Accounts and Economic Development Coordinator. “However, if gap financing is needed, we’re happy to work with businesses.”
At the June 2016 board meeting, the decision was made to move the management of the loan funds under the Nebraska Enterprise Fund. NEF has various small business and microenterprise loan products to work directly with businesses and financial institutions in filling financing gaps. Dawson PPD will retain ownership of the funds and has final authority of loan disbursement.
“The NEF’s expertise in evaluating and marketing loans with small businesses will help Dawson PPD expand its capacity in economic development and reduce the District’s risk in lending,” Behle said.
[su_pullquote align=”right”]”Public power has always held an interest and responsibility in supporting the local economy…to position communities and regions for economic growth.” [/su_pullquote]The revolving loan fund was established in 2003 when Dawson PPD and the Nebraska Rural Electric Association lobbied for new legislation allowing public utilities to receive U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Economic Development Grant funds to disperse to its customers.
“Before the ruling, public power districts couldn’t lend to businesses and communities because it put consumer dollars at risk,” Behle said. “With the USDA grant funds, Dawson PPD now has the financial means to responsibly lend to qualified businesses.”
The District first assisted the village of Hershey in acquiring funds for infrastructure improvements. The community used a zero percent interest, ten-year loan to improve its water and sewer systems and add a housing development. The new developments helped Hershey attract and keep business professionals and the manufacturing company, Greenbrier Rail Services.
As the money was paid back, Dawson PPD used the funds to support other businesses and community projects within its service territory, like the Elwood Hometown Cooperative Market.
“The community of Elwood saw the value in having a local grocery store, and we were pleased to be a part of the solution,” he said.
Behle also fosters partnerships with Dawson PPD’s wholesale provider, Nebraska Public Power District, and other local and statewide economic development organizations to support efficiency improvements within storefronts or recruit new business.
To learn more about Dawson PPD’s economic development program, please contact Dave Behle at dbehle (at) dawsonpower.com or call 308-324-2386.
August 2016
 

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