SCED areas of focus and projects were identified through two avenues.
1) SCED committee member discussion, brainstorming, and planning sessions took place at several meetings to determine the core purpose for our existence and identify areas to focus our resources. We came up with the tag line Main Street & More to represent our focus on main street businesses, as well as all businesses in town and the entire community.
We identified the following priorities to support our mission:
2) A community vision meeting was held by the Spencer Community Foundation committee in the fall of 2018. Attendees worked to identify and prioritize areas of concern. Focus areas that were aligned best with the SCED mission were handed over to us to address.
1) SCED committee member discussion, brainstorming, and planning sessions took place at several meetings to determine the core purpose for our existence and identify areas to focus our resources. We came up with the tag line Main Street & More to represent our focus on main street businesses, as well as all businesses in town and the entire community.
We identified the following priorities to support our mission:
- Support local business success, retention, and growth through promotion, resources, and start-up or expansion funding
- Strengthen our community through community involvement, clean-up, and working on critical needs such as housing
- Community events
- Coordinate fundraising events to generate revenue that will support community and business support projects
- Partner with other local organizations, such as the Spencer Community Club and Spencer Community Foundation to maximize resources and results
2) A community vision meeting was held by the Spencer Community Foundation committee in the fall of 2018. Attendees worked to identify and prioritize areas of concern. Focus areas that were aligned best with the SCED mission were handed over to us to address.
Local Business Promotion
The success of our local businesses is central to the health of our community. Some of the following projects have been initiated to support and highlight our businesses.
Newspaper articles and Facebook features
Cahoy's General Store
Skyline Motel
KitKat Kids Boutique
Hometown Holiday business open house event
Newspaper articles and Facebook features
- A newspaper article will be written for each Spencer business to highlight information and fun facts about their business. The information is also placed on our SCED Facebook page. The following articles have been featured so far:
Cahoy's General Store
Skyline Motel
KitKat Kids Boutique
Hometown Holiday business open house event
- The first ever Hometown Holiday event was held in December 2019, in conjunction with the annual Spencer Parade of Lights, soup supper, and Santa visit. All Spencer businesses were invited to hold an open house before the parade. Several businesses participated, and for each business a person visited during the open house, they were able to enter their name in a drawing for Spencer Bucks. At the soup supper, SCED also hosted an ugly sweater contest. This was a fun even to pair with the parade, and we plan to do this annually!
- A printed business directory card is in the process of being created. These cards can be placed at local businesses to let residents and visitors know what all we offer in Spencer, where to find the businesses, and how to contact them. Business names are organized by category on the card. Local organizations and annual events are included. We also hope to eventually work on a welcome packet for new residents that could include the business directory, among other things.
- To complement the business directory, SCED members wanted a website with a business directory listing that could be updated more frequently than a printed card. We also knew the website could provide other information that would be helpful and important to Spencer residents...therefore, this website was created!
- Spencer Bucks is not a SCED program, but it is important to mention it here in the business support section! Spencer Bucks can be used at any Spencer business, same as cash. They are a great option to give as gifts, employee appreciation, and giveaway items. This program is a great way to keep our money local and support our business owners. To purchase Spencer Bucks or get more information about the program, call Tracy Birmeier at Butte State Bank, 402-589-2271.
Community/Main Street Clean-Up
When the organization was first being formed, community and main street clean-up was one of the top areas of concern we believed needed to be addressed. This focus area was also raised as a top concern by Spencer residents during the fall 2018 community vision meeting.
SCED members have been researching information about options for community clean-up. We have also been in contact with main street business owners to gather information about their plans for building improvement and ideas for general community improvement. Owners of vacant buildings were contacted in an effort to address dilapidated structures on their property.
While this project is ongoing, here are two recent main street improvement projects to highlight:
Projects like these help reflect our community pride and show a thriving business district for residents and visitors alike.
SCED members have been researching information about options for community clean-up. We have also been in contact with main street business owners to gather information about their plans for building improvement and ideas for general community improvement. Owners of vacant buildings were contacted in an effort to address dilapidated structures on their property.
While this project is ongoing, here are two recent main street improvement projects to highlight:
- The first was the renovation of the old Corn Exchange building. The building, which consisted of unused commercial space on the first floor and living quarters on the second floor, was purchased by Leslie Nielsen in (month, day). Renovations began immediately and the entire space was refurbished with stunning results. The commercial space now houses KitKat Kids Boutique in the front, a cute shop owned by Susan Snyder that features clothing for girls and boys. The back of the commercial space is home to warehouse space for Lilee Louise Boutique, the women's clothing store owned by Leslie. The second floor contains an updated apartment, which contributes to the critical housing need in our town.
- The second main street improvement project completed in recent months was the refacing of the Spencer Advocate building. The building sustained damage a few years ago, and it looks excellent with new siding that was recently installed.
Projects like these help reflect our community pride and show a thriving business district for residents and visitors alike.
Recycling
Recycling was not only another area of concern identified at the community vision meeting, it goes hand-in-hand with maintaining our community as a clean, safe environment. SCED members researched options and unfortunately, we were unable to find providers to service this area for regular household recycling.
We also reached out to North Central Nebraska Resource Conservation & Development (NCRCD) for information about recycling options in our area. NCRCD serves Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Holt, Keya Paha, and Rock counties. They were able to provide us with a brochure listing the nearest recycling options by category. While they may not all be available right here in Spencer, we are grateful to have some services relatively close.
We will be working with NCRCD in the future on possible grants to provide recycling for specialty items, such as tires or hazardous chemical waste, in or close to Spencer. Dates for recycling events will be listed on our Facebook page, on the Spencer, Nebraska Community Events Facebook page, and on the community calendar as we become aware of them.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
One grant we would like to obtain is for hazardous chemical disposal. In order to apply for this grant, we need to get an idea of how much hazardous waste needs to be disposed of in the area. We would greatly appreciate you completing this brief survey to help us collect the information!
We also reached out to North Central Nebraska Resource Conservation & Development (NCRCD) for information about recycling options in our area. NCRCD serves Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Holt, Keya Paha, and Rock counties. They were able to provide us with a brochure listing the nearest recycling options by category. While they may not all be available right here in Spencer, we are grateful to have some services relatively close.
We will be working with NCRCD in the future on possible grants to provide recycling for specialty items, such as tires or hazardous chemical waste, in or close to Spencer. Dates for recycling events will be listed on our Facebook page, on the Spencer, Nebraska Community Events Facebook page, and on the community calendar as we become aware of them.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
One grant we would like to obtain is for hazardous chemical disposal. In order to apply for this grant, we need to get an idea of how much hazardous waste needs to be disposed of in the area. We would greatly appreciate you completing this brief survey to help us collect the information!
Fundraising
SCED was started from the ground up by a volunteer group of Spencer residents and/or business owners. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with no funding, coordinating activities to raise funds is critical to the work of our organization.
LADIES NIGHT OUT QUARTER AUCTION
The first fundraiser we coordinated was a Ladies Night Out Quarter Auction in July of 2019. Auction items were generously donated by individuals and businesses throughout Boyd County, and over $6,000 was raised. We plan to make this an annual event!
BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY CALENDAR SALES
Calendars listing birthday and anniversary dates for Boyd County residents were offered for 2020. Dates were included for residents who sent their information to our committee. Pre-orders for the calendars were taken, and calendars were available to purchase through SCED board members.
In addition to these fundraisers, we have received several memorial and citizen donations. If you would like to donate to Spencer Community Economic Development, contact any of our board members!
LADIES NIGHT OUT QUARTER AUCTION
The first fundraiser we coordinated was a Ladies Night Out Quarter Auction in July of 2019. Auction items were generously donated by individuals and businesses throughout Boyd County, and over $6,000 was raised. We plan to make this an annual event!
BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY CALENDAR SALES
Calendars listing birthday and anniversary dates for Boyd County residents were offered for 2020. Dates were included for residents who sent their information to our committee. Pre-orders for the calendars were taken, and calendars were available to purchase through SCED board members.
In addition to these fundraisers, we have received several memorial and citizen donations. If you would like to donate to Spencer Community Economic Development, contact any of our board members!
We have many more projects in the brainstorming and planning stage! Stay tuned for more information!