Gateway To Nebraska
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Photo by Robert Pinkerton |
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Kimball is located in the southwest corner of the Western Nebraska, less than 20 miles from both the Colorado and Wyoming borders. With an elevation of 4911 feet, Kimball is the “High Point” of Nebraska as well as being Nebraska’s western gateway. Kimball is the county seat of Kimball County and is within ½ mile of Interstate 80 and at the crossroads of the old Lincoln Highway (Highway 30) and Highway 71, a popular route to the Black Hills of South Dakota. During the 1950’s and 60’s, Kimball was benefactor to the discovery of plentiful oil reserves and it’s population boomed to nearly 10,000 people. Kimball was also at the epicenter of the cold war, when the United States Air Force developed its Minuteman missile program. There are still hundreds of missile silos surrounding Kimball. |
| Fraternal Hall 1900 | |
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In the mid 60’s, as oil prices plummeted and the federal government de-emphasized the missile program, Kimball’s population began a sharp decline. A private and independently owned economic development group, FKI (Forward Kimball Industries), was formed to help promote business growth throughout the area. FKI recruited George Risk Industries, (GRI) to Kimball. |
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GRI started as a small company manufacturing various electrical components, PC keyboards, and security products. To date GRI employs over 275, has completed several building expansion projects, introduced multiple products, developed a satellite facility in nearby Gering, and anticipates doubling their work force over the next 10 years.
In the 1980’s FKI was instrumental in attracting Clean Harbors to the area. Clean Harbors, 6 miles south of Kimball, employs nearly 100 and specializes in providing incineration services for hazardous materials from business and industry across the country. These materials are reduced to non-hazardous ash before being placed in a subtitle D landfill. Clean Harbors is currently involved in a major expansion and expects continued growth over the next 10 years. Kimball’s population stabilized in the 1980’s and the economy remains steady.
In 1998 town voters passed a ½-cent sales tax to hire an economic development director, provide monies for promotion/recruitment and a revolving loan fund. Along with hiring an economic development director, this fund has been utilized to bring a new manufacturer to town, assist expansion of a local business, as well as, reopen the community movie theater.
In early 2000, Kimball began to realize another small boom as suburbanites fled from the cities of the Front Range of Colorado, to retire or lead simpler lives. Several new businesses opened, several are planning expansion, and the population realized an incremental upswing.
Kimball is uniquely located at the center of the Front Range of Colorado, Eastern Wyoming and the Western Nebraska. Its immediate access to primary trade routes places it two hours to Denver, 90 minutes to Ft. Collins, 50 minutes to Cheyenne, Wyoming and 40 minutes to Scottsbluff or Sidney, Nebraska. Given the proximity of Interstate 80 and highways 30 and 71, as well as the railroad, travel and transportation of goods is accessible and affordable.
Educational opportunities are provided by closely located colleges including Colorado State University, University of Northern Colorado, University of Wyoming, University of Colorado, Western Nebraska Community College, Chadron State College, Fort Morgan Junior College, and Eastern Wyoming College. Some of the out of state colleges and universities offer “good neighbor” scholarships to residents of Western Nebraska that allow students to attend at “in state” rates.
The public school system consists of a Junior/Senior High School and two elementary schools, with an excellent teacher/pupil ratio. Kimball students are provided a top-notch curriculum and education, and repeatedly score above the national and state averages on ACT testing. Extra curricular activities are provided for all students including a diverse range of community supported athletic activities, band and chorus programs, student government services and a fine arts program including an annual Shakespeare Festival.
Kimball’s utilities are affordable and plentiful. Kimball provides the highest quality water supply in the country coming from the Ogallala aquifer covering 90% of the state of Nebraska. Kimball’s city owned electric plant and wastewater plant offers attractive and economical electric and sewer rates. Kimball participates in a cooperative gas program that allows consumers to choose their own vendor. Kimball owns its own landfill and provides trash service to its residents. Cable TV, ISDN and High-Speed Internet service complete Kimball’s communication needs.
Kimball’s rural setting provides a clean, crisp air supply that offers acclaimed hunting of antelope, turkey, dove, pheasant, grouse, duck, goose, and mule deer. Kimball County is home to more CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) acreage than the rest of Nebraska’s combined CRP lands. Oliver Reservoir, located on the edge of Kimball, is a popular water recreation and RV camping area with some of the best trophy fishing in the Midwestern states.
Downtown Kimball, selected in 2000 as a Main Street Community, houses the High Plains Museum containing many artifacts and antiques that highlight the early history of Kimball and Kimball County. Several buildings, including the museum and courthouse, are listed on the Historic Register. Quaint gift shops, antique dealers and restaurants are popular stopovers for visitors.
Housing in Kimball ranges from small to moderate to spacious and includes a variety of architecture including arts and crafts bungalows, Victorian cottages and modern ranches. Newly constructed Vista Villa contains 30 beautiful and modern units, scheduled entertainment and meal services for retirees. Recently completed, Kimball County Manor provides state of the art assisted living quarters to those in need. Apartments, efficiencies and duplexes complete the affordable housing scenario.
The people of Kimball are considered Kimball’s greatest single asset. They are friendly, hard working and progressive. If you are looking for a great place to escape the rat race, expand your business, raise your family or retire, then this is the place for you. For more information contact the City of Kimball’s Economic Development Department at 308-235-3639 or 1-888-274-6004. See their web page at www.ci.kimball.ne.us.