Celebrating moving forward
CEDC recognizes individuals, businesses
BROKEN BOW - Each year, the Custer Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) recognizes businesses and individuals that have kept moving forward, making Broken Bow and Custer County a better place to live. In her welcome at the Sunday, Oct. 10 award presentation, CEDC President Joyce Richardson stated, “You are the people that keep Custer County rolling, alive and growing. This group is focusing on workforce, housing, wellness and childcare.” Richardson also recognized Lisa Rice of Lisa Rice Designs for her assistance in the design of the CEDC offices now located on 8th street.
The Broken Bow Country Club (BBCC) received the “Friend of the Community Award. The BBCC incorporated in 1962 and purchased the golf course and old club house, moving forward with drilling wells, and, over several years, established the fairways and greens everyone knows today. In 2018, change was needed for BBCC. Board members began remodeling the club house and started the capital campaign for the improvements all the golfers enjoy today.
Jerry Adams, BBCC club member, stated, “I have been told this is one of the best nine-hole courses in the state of Nebraska. People from out of town compliment not only on the course, but the clubhouse and the way they are treated by all the cordial and friendly staff.”
Sargent Irrigation and Sartent Pipe received the Business Innovator Award. The company is the largest privately held well drilling company in the United States. Now in 68 years of business, Sargent Irrigation and Sargent Pipe together have 160+ employees with branch offices in Broken Bow, Grant, Neligh, Holdrege, Geneva and Aurora, Carroll, Iowa and Salina, Kan.
The company has weathered dry years, wet years and tough years in farming. They even drilled wells in Algeria (northern Africa) in 1986. The management and dedicated staff pride themselves on being true professionals in the water well construction business.
The Health Care Champion Award went to Central Nebraska Medical Clinic, PC (CNMC).
Started in 1973 by Dr. Loren Jacobsen and Dr. Mike Chaloupka, CNMC opened it doors in the building where Frontier Family Pharmacy is today. In 1976 the practice moved to 145 Memorial Drive on the east side of Melham Medical Center. In 2018, they moved to the west side where they are located today. The three physicians currently on
staff own the business David Minnick, M.D., Robert Kahnk, M.D. and Julie Lindstrom, D.O. Also on staff are Justin Boutwell, PA-C, Angie Hunt, PA-C, Jacob Karmazin, PA-C and Katrina White, PA-C. Connie Sommers, LPN, has been employed with CNMC for 46 years.
Having a medical clinic in a community has a huge economic impact on Broken Bow and surrounding communities. Joyce Richardson stated, “CNMC were the Champions of COVID in our medical community. They remained open and continued to see patients. COVID was a game changer for medicine, and CNMC was able to overcome challenges and find workflows that fit for patients and staff.”
The final award of the evening, the Wheel Horse Award, went to Mike Evans. John Sennett said, “A Wheel Horse is hooked up to the right hand on a four-horse team. They are not flashy but are tough and get the wagon moving and pushing forward.” Evans has served as president of CEDC and continues to serve where needed and keeps getting the job done.
The CEDC is fortunate to have many individuals in the organization that work to keep the organization moving forward.
The awards were presented Sunday during the CEDC annual picnic which was held in the Arrow East Hotel garage.