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Local housing efforts gaining traction
McCOOK, Neb. — McCook will probably have triple the number of building permits for family housing compared to recent years, a McCook Economic Development Corp. official told Red Willow County Commissioners Monday.
Amanda Engell, Director of Housing Development, pointed to one of the MEDC’s projects, underway north of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in the Reservation area of north McCook as an example.
Construction of four, two-bedroom, two-bath units and two three-bedroom, two bath units is already underway.
Then, there’s room for an additional three duplexes to be built on that block.
“We’re feeling very optimistic that when these are completed and sold, that will then turn around and happen fairly quickly,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of interest in these already and they’ve literally just started dirt work last week."
Tax increment financing was not used for those projects, but TIF is involved in the North Pointe single-family home subdivision where paving, water and infrastructure are already being installed. Five homes will be constructed for sale in that subdivision this year, Engell said.
MEDC Executive Director Charlie McPherson reported on the business park expansion, with the Performance Plus liquid livestock feed company building facilities there and contracts let for water, paving and sewer and construction already underway.
Plans for a rail spur to the site have been drawn up and are awaiting railroad approval, he said.
The MEDC helped with financing for the purchase of a much-needed daycare center, and the corporation is also working with the new Creative District for downtown development, and new student and professional housing unit involving Community Hospital is another positive development.
Several other housing efforts in McCook and nearby towns are also underway, despite ballooning construction costs.