Supporting Local Businesses Since 2014

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Economic Development is a must for a community!  This is where the LB840 program comes in.  LB840 Funds are a portion of Sales Tax collected from local businesses in the community, which can then be used for economic development to help existing businesses with improvements as well as aiding a new business to get started.

These funds can be used as a grant or low interest loans to qualifying businesses for fixed assets and/or working capital.  I have seen the impact the LB840 has had on several businesses in the Utica Community.

By supporting the local businesses that collect the sales tax of which a portion is used to fund, the LB840 program helps to grow our community in many ways. The LB840 committee is presently working on a new business application.  It has previously assisted with the Antique Store “Old Cottonwood”, the Utica Mural, a new Picnic Shelter for the park, Grocery Store, “Centennial Market”, and is helping with a new Housing Project which is currently underway.

I would encourage a yes vote to renew and continue the LB840 program to help promote the growth of Utica.

Garry & Betty Dittmar

My name is Mike Vance. I serve as the Sheriff in Seward County and have been a longtime resident of Utica. I'm writing to encourage local citizens to vote "Yes" to renew Utica's LB840 Economic Development Program, which will be on the general election ballot on Tuesday, November 5th.

Supporting economic development creates a healthy and safe community to live, work, and play in. The more businesses, homes, and people working in Utica, the more vibrant our town will be.

Over the past 10 years, Utica LB840 has invested in our local grocery store, multiple area businesses, downtown revitalization, and helped to construct affordable housing lots in the new Bronco Heights subdivision. Renewing this local Economic Development Program for another 10 years will position our community for future success.

Would you please consider joining us to Vote Yes for Utica LB840 when you fill out your ballot on November 5th? This will continually support our business community and attract new residents to thrive in Utica moving forward.

Mike Vance

I am writing to express my strong support for LB 840, the Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act, which is critical for the growth and improvement of our village. This program has already made a significant impact in Utica, providing essential startup funds and low-interest loans that empower local entrepreneurs to turn their business dreams into reality.

The positive effects of LB 840 are evident in the flourishing businesses and housing developments that enhance our community. These initiatives not only create jobs but also contribute to the overall economic health of our town, ensuring that Utica remains a place where residents can thrive.

As we approach the vote on November 5, 2024, I urge everyone to consider the benefits of continuing LB 840. By voting yes, we can ensure ongoing support for local businesses and the continued development of our community.

Let’s invest in our future and support the growth of Utica. Vote yes for LB 840!

Melissa Grantski

We both have rural roots and family members involved in ag and other small businesses.  We are “newer” residents here in Utica, having arrived in 2020.  Having both lived in York, we had come to gradually know the people and dynamic spirit of Utica, through its residents, Centennial Schools and the Flying-V.  When family moved here, we did too, to support as they began to grow their young family.  We chose a local contractor and local labor and materials, to build our home here.  Since then, we have become a part of this community, involved in daily, community and local volunteer opportunities.  And we are building relationships and friendships with townsfolk.

 In all this, Amy, we feel most fortunate, to be able to live, grow, sow, reap, care and share!   In the quality of life here and nearby, we smile and see them reflected back!  But we also see growing challenges - local population declines, businesses closings, staffing challenges.  And each year, so much of our life blood leaves - graduates, and seniors seeking increased daily care.  For both brawn and communities, what you don’t use you lose.  There’s no treading water for long – either communities choose to swim, or let themselves be taken under!

 So, it is most apparent that we must seriously commit to creating a welcoming and thriving community environment.  One key is growing economically in sensible, measured steps, attracting, retaining and growing vibrant, solid businesses.  These foundations of our nation, provide needed goods, services and jobs.  In turn, jobs provide the funds to attract and grow families, secure housing, provide funding for both public and private facilities, and embolden follow-on entrepreneurs to repeat the same.

 We learned that Utica has a State LB840 Economic Development Program, as an effective growth tool.  Within it, Utica over the last 10 years has set aside a portion of its annual sales tax revenues.  This has been used by Utica businesses, to be born and grow, to the mutual benefit of our community, at a very reasonable shared cost.  These funds can be used as a grant or low interest loan to qualifying businesses for assets and working capital using the practices established by the Village Board.

At the election this November 5, we have the opportunity to extend this program and benefits, by voting "Yes" to renew the Village’s existing LB840 Program. It would allow Utica to continue to set aside 1/3rd of it annual sales tax revenues, as both seed money and support for new and existing community businesses.  With Village sales tax revenues nearly $200k annually, the LB840 Program money would amount to 1/3rd of this or about $65k annually.  This would greatly help our community grow and improve its present and future quality of life for individuals, families and neighbors!  More can be learned about this ballot issue by visiting website: Vote Yes Utica LB840.  It is hoped all will carefully consider this proposal and vote "Yes”!

Steve and Jo Palandri 

 I am a longtime resident and business owner with my family in Utica. I proudly serve as the chairperson on the Village of Utica Planning Commission to help steer future growth in our community. We love living here and want it to be a place for our kids, grandkids, friends, neighbors, and employees to enjoy calling home for years to come.

I have witnessed many small communities throughout Nebraska that have not been able to adapt to the changing economic climate, losing businesses and residents over the last few years. Our family-owned businesses, our employees, and the residents of Utica and their families are dependent on Utica being a vibrant town. To encourage development moving forward, we need local tools to welcome new investments, to create startup ventures to provide new services and jobs, attract new employees, expand existing businesses, and recruit future companies. The Village of Utica's LB 840 Economic Development Program is one of our really important tools to help continue building a healthy community. At the upcoming election on November 5, we have the opportunity to support our local businesses through voting "Yes" to renew LB 840 for the next 10 years. Many Utica businesses have benefitted from LB 840 over the past 10 years, and we want to have this local asset available to support more in the future. If you want to learn more about this ballot issue, visit this website link: https://voteyesuticalb840.com/. Please consider helping our local economy by voting "Yes" on November 5 for renewing Utica's LB 840 Economic Development Program to assist in growing the community we all want for the future.

 Al Koski

I am a lifelong Utica resident, Centennial School District graduate, and business owner of Peeks Construction in Utica. I volunteer on the Village of Utica Planning Commission to assist our community in growing. I'm proud to be raising my family here and want to support our town to grow in the future. I believe LB840 can help achieve that.

In case you have questions about this topic, there's a helpful website to check out at: https://voteyesuticalb840.com/. Please assist Utica to grow by voting "Yes" on November 5th

Eric Peeks

 I was born and raised in Utica and moved away for some time while I was starting my professional career. I am proud to be back home and growing my business, America's Legacy Group, in downtown Utica. I currently serve as the President of the Utica Commercial Club. We organize various community events like Heritage Days and support our fellow businesses to thrive locally.

Having my office in downtown Utica, I have appreciated the downtown revitalization efforts that took place a few years ago. This has created a welcoming environment for my business and developed opportunities for future businesses to locate here. The revitalization efforts took place in partnership with many community stakeholders including the Village of Utica's LB840 Economic Development Program.

Utica LB840 will be on the ballot on Tuesday, November 5th to renew the Program. I'm writing to ask that other town residents vote "Yes" to renew it for another 10 years, so it can be continually used as a Village economic development tool. If you want to learn more, here's a link for additional information about this important ballot issue: https://voteyesuticalb840.com/

Please vote "Yes" for LB840 on Tuesday, November 5th to help Utica grow in the future. 

 Scott Gierhan