“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”

            Benjamin Franklin’s thoughts are particularly significant today, even though the meaning originated over 200 years ago.

            Without growth and progress, a community flounders, limiting room for improvement, dashing hopes for achievement, and curbing success.

            It’s a depressing thought.

            Yet, this is the situation facing a number of Nebraska communities.

            Drive through many rural towns – even mid-size cities in the heartland – and the view is eerily similar. Empty storefronts. Quiet Main Streets. Vacant houses.  Shrinking population rates.

            Instead of vanishing into a mere shell of its former glory, a community has the opportunity to chart its own future.

            How?

            By passing LB 840, correctly called the Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act, an option put into law by the Nebraska Legislature in 1991.

            Currently, voters from 60 communities from all corners of the state – Alliance to Tecumseh, South Sioux City to Imperial – have enacted LB 840.  

            The approved tax is in effect for 15 years. Then, voters can take another look at the impact the funds have had on a community and vote to either approve or deny the tax again.

            A handful of communities from this region, along with several in the western section of the state, will vote this spring whether to approve both an economic development program and the tax.

            Yes, it’s the dreaded ‘T’ word. (Isn’t it one certainty in life?)

            What you won’t see is a tax on real estate. You won’t be taxed for groceries, prescription medicines, Insulin or durable medical equipment.

            Farm families won’t see a tax on farm machinery, feed, seeds and plants for agricultural use, or agricultural chemicals.

            The goal of the law is simple: a city can offer loans to local businesses for a variety of reasons, including start-up and expansion costs or monies can be utilized to recruit new businesses.

            Downtown business districts may use funds to revitalize the area.

            The benefits are numerous. Business start-up or expansion leads to job creation. Job creation leads to new residents. New residents in a town lead to additional monies spent in town, children enrolled in school…

            You get the possible progression.

            Daughter Cassie works as an economic developer in York, and we’ve discussed the benefits of LB840 and its impact on rural communities. She often points to Ord, Nebraska, as a point of reference.

            The Valley County community voted in a one percent tax in 2001. In eight years, the county’s economic development group has funded nearly 40 business projects.

            Revenue from the tax has benefited all communities in Valley County.

            Their model makes a convincing argument.

            If we, as members of small, rural communities or mid-sized municipalities want to ensure a chance for growth, offer hope for our children’s and grandchildren’s futures, we must look at the benefits of enacting LB840.

            It’s a common sense approach for investigating new ideas and approaches to business.

            Otherwise, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.

            And that…is a desolate thought.

Do you have plans for St. Patrick’s Day? If not, check out my article about the O’Neill, Nebraska, St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, which features amateur competition from Norfolk’s Great American Comedy Festival.

                And this year’s Oscar goes to . . .

                The 84th Academy Awards ceremony aired Sunday night, and while many viewers tuned in simply to see which starlet wore a certain designer’s dress and was draped in diamonds worth the national debt, others watched with great anticipation, celebrating the year’s best offerings from the cinema.

                Then, there are those who don’t watch the Awards. At all. (More than likely, these are the same individuals who refuse to fork over a Hamilton – and I’m not talking George – for a movie ticket or another twelve bucks for the buttery tub o’ popcorn and diet Coke.)

                As I watched snippets of Sunday’s broadcast, I wondered how many Oscar statuettes have been awarded to actors, directors, writers, editors, and musicians with Nebraska ties. Off the top of my head, a few winners came to mind. I was surprised to discover 22 individuals from our state have been nominated by their peers since the awards began in 1927.

                In all, Nebraska natives or residents have been nominated 55 times for their talents on stage or behind the scenes. Of those nominations, 21 have been named the best of the best.

                Five honorary awards have been given to Nebraskans.

                Count the two movies that won Best Picture– “Boy’s Town” in 1938 and “Terms of Endearment” in 1984 – associated with Nebraska, the total of statutes with Nebraska implications equals 28.

                Henry Fonda, born in Grand Island, was nominated for and won three Oscars. In 1941, he won Best Actor for his performance in “The Grapes of Wrath.” He was part of the cast comprising 1958’s Best Picture, “12 Angry Men.” In 1981, Fonda struck gold again in “On Golden Pond.”

                Lincoln-born Hilary Swank earned two Best Actress Oscars. Her portrayal of Teena Brandon in 2000’s “Boys Don’t Cry” told the story of the brutal rape and murder of a cross-dressing teen in Falls City, Nebraska. In 2005, her depiction of a struggling-waitress-turns-boxer in “Million Dollar Baby” was golden.

                Omaha’s Marlon Brando was nominated eight times and won twice, for “The Godfather” and “On the Waterfront.”

                What about the behind-the-scenes folk?  

                A short story by author Bess Streeter Aldrich of Elmwood won the 1942 Oscar for Best Scoring of a Dramatic Picture.

                A short documentary, “Quicker ‘N a Wink,” explained stroboscopic photography, a slow motion technique developed by Harold E. Edgerton of Aurora and won Best Short Film in 1940.

                Mike Hill of Omaha is one of Hollywood’s top film editors. He has four nominations and won Best Film Editing for Apollo 13.

                Even a Northeast Nebraska native has brought home Oscar. In 1938, the song “Sweet Leilani” from the movie “Waikiki Wedding” won Best Music, Original Song. The writer: Harry Owens of O’Neill.

                Don’t forget Alexander Payne, who has won two Best Adapted Screenplay Oscars in the past seven years.

                Plus, Johnny Carson hosted a handful of Oscar ceremonies.

                While everyone may not enjoy watching yet another award ceremony, we Nebraskans can be proud of the cinematic contributions made by our state’s award winners.

Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital in O’Neill dedicated its latest addition on Wednesday. I write about it in the Norfolk Daily News.

Move over, Milli Vanilli. O’Neill High School’s digital media class produced an all-school lip dub that has a pep rally feel to it. Check out my story and the video at the Norfolk Daily News.