Area Features

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)