Agriculture
- Corn, sorghum, soybean, alfalfa production, beef and swine production (small farm and commercial operations)
- Seed production
- Organic farming
- Irrigation methods
- Genetically modified crops
- Rotational grazing
- KAPP (alternate crops)
- Husker Harvest Days (working farm show permanent site – show in September) website – click here
- Wineries, website – click here
- Pop Corn
Arts & Humanities
- Art in the Park
- City Singers
- Concerts in the Park (June, July, August)
- Concerts at Heartland Events Center, website – click here
- Grand Island Little Theater (Four productions each year), website – click here
- Grand Island Community Concert Association, website – click here
- Prairie Winds Art Center (local artists display and conduct workshops), website – click here
- Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer (pioneer heritage, class offerings for area schools and summer school)
- Hall County Historical Society (restoration projects and events; “Voices from the Past” programs), website – click here
Economic Development
- Local Economic Development Director and Board, website – click here
- Nebraska Workforce Development, website – click here
Education
- Central Community College (academic and vocational training in 50 programs including nursing/dental hygiene), website – check here
- Bellevue University (“fast track” bachelors program designed for nontraditional student), website – click here
- College Park (a unique facility which provides bachelor and master degree programs from Doane College; associate and continuing education courses from Central Community College research-based information in agriculture and natural resources, consumer and family economics, community and economic development and 4-H / youth development from the Hall County extension office.), website – click here
- University of Nebraska Extension in Hall County, website – click here
- GED and English as a Second Language classes, website – click here
- Excellent public and parochial schools
- Edith Abbott Memorial Library
- Hall County Historical Society, website – click here
- Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center, website – click here
- Joseph”s College of Beauty, website – click here
- Xenon International School of Hair Design, website – click here
Environmental
- Nebraska Nature and Visitors Center (crane watching, nature and preservation studies), website – click here
- Platte Valley Whooping Crane Habitat Maintenance Trust
- National Audubon Society Rowe Sanctuary (Gibbon),website – click here
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife regional office
- Niobrara-Missouri National Scenic Riverways office (O’Neill)
Government
- Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, website – click here
- Hall County Board of Supervisors, website – click here
- Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center
- Nebraska State Patrol Academy
- City Police-County Sheriff joint office
- Community Youth Council
- Drug Court
Hospitality
- Small-town atmosphere with city conveniences, low per diem costs
- Thirty-one church denominations
- Retail shopping area servicing 100 mile radius
- Diverse ethnic heritage
Industry
- Automotive frame straighteners (Chief Automotive)
- Ammunition production (Hornady’s, )
- Beef and food processing and distribution (Swift, McCain Foods)
- Builders (Chief, Cleary)
- Factory built homes (Bonnavilla)
- Farm machinery manufacturing (New Holland)
- Fiberglass (Concept Fiberglass)
- Grain handling, drying and storage equipment (Global Industries, Chief)
- Insurance claim processing (Principal Financial)
- Light manufacturing (automotive, tool and die, interior decor-GIA, Leon Plastics, Overhead Door)
- Polyvinyl pipe (Diamond Plastics)
- Telecommunications (ITI Marketing, US West, Alltel and Nebraska Cellular)
- Trucking (terminals, repair)
- Warehouse distribution
Medical
- St. Francis Medical Center (with chemical dependency unit; student wellness center at Senior High School; outstanding oncology center)
- Veterans Administration Medical Center
- Nursing homes including Alzheimer unit
- Retirement facilities including assisted living
- Rural clinics
Parks & Recreation
- Fonner Park (livestock expositions centers, horse racing (Feb.- May)
- Hall County Park
- Kids’ Kingdom (playground built entirely by volunteers
- Island Oasis Water Park
- Soccer fields, baseball and softball complexes, tennis courts, four golf courses
- Hiking/Bicycling Trails
- Bowling Allies
- Camping Grounds
- Thoroughbred Horse Racing
- Sporting events at the Heartland Events Center, website – click here
- Community Fieldhouse (a 70,000 square foot facility that includes indoor batting cages, turf sports fields, basketball courts, volleyball courts, meeting rooms, and a children’s playground)
Volunteerism
- Community free clinic
- Habitat for Humanity
- Leadership Tomorrow (development of local leadership talent and community commitment-adult & youth), website – click here
- TeamMates (mentoring at-risk youth), website – click here
- Volunteers/hospital (adults and youths)
- NGO’s (numerous; funded by capital campaigns and volunteer hours)
- Service Organizations (18+)
- United Way
Water
- Children’s Groundwater Festival (May)
- Management practices (surface/ground, state and multi-state)
- Central Platte Natural Resource District (only state in nation with district natural resource with watershed boundaries)
- Irrigated agriculture (irrigation districts, pump irrigation for gravity and pivot application)