McCook on the move: Driving construction, development

McCOOK, Neb. – Residential construction, development at the business park and prospects for attracting retail were all topics of discussion at a quarterly meeting of the LB840 Citizens’s Advisory Review Committee.

City Manager Nate Schneider opened the meeting, recognizing the presence of a quorum and reporting that the city began the current quarter with $1,028,633.15 in the McCook Growth Fund.

McCook Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Director Charlie McPherson updated board members on the status of the duplexes east of Norris Avenue (AKA “Reservation”), one has been sold and five are available. In the North Pointe subdivision, five homes are being built and one is presold. Both projects will be completed by the end of the year.

McPherson also discussed the expansion of the business park saying, “We are very, very close. There’s light at the end of the tunnel.” McPherson explained that Industrial Park Road has been extended, as well as water and sewer lines. The electrical backbone is in place, streetlights have been installed and Performance Plus is expected to have a soft opening before the end of the year. McPherson added, “The only thing left there is the rail track coming off the BNSF main line,” adding that additional track would be added to service lots in the business park.”

MEDC is also pursuing status as a BNSF Railway Certified Site. BNSF’s website describes its certification program as one that identifies “optimal rail-served sites” based on in-depth reviews of economic development criteria and readiness standards intended to “minimize development risks.” McPherson explained that being recognized as a certified site would push prospective businesses in our direction and noted that the only other BNSF in the state of Nebraska, and certification of the McCook Business Park would offer an option in Western Nebraska.

Although further out on the timeline, prospects for attracting retail development were discussed. McPherson said that the MEDC had contracted with a “retail coach consulting firm,” which has established contacts with site selection representatives for prospective tenants. McPherson said that the consultants are contracted to “help us recruit some regional and national retailers that could be a good fit for our community.”

Existing lots and structures within McCook are not suitable for all business models, particularly those that require freestanding structures, and land recently acquired for the ballpark project will offer a greenfield opportunity for retail development that could potentially complement the recreational complex. McPherson added that the additional property “could give us that location that we’ve been needing for a long time.”

At the close of the meeting, Schneider reflected on McCook’s current flurry of development projects ranging from the swimming pool, sports complex, workforce housing and other development projects. Acknowledging the efforts of both city staff and MEDC, Schneider said, “I’m hoping that people realize all the work that’s going into this because there’s a ton of effort that’s going on to all these different projects.”

McCook voters approved a 1.5% local sales tax under LB840 in May of 2014, which combines with the state’s 5.5% sales tax, resulting in a total sales tax rate of 7% for the city. The additional local tax is designated to fund economic development initiatives under the LB840 program. Total sales tax collected for McCook in the first two quarters of 2024 totaled $6,147,545.95.