Tuesday, Dec. 6, was a big day for the community of Callaway as ground was broken for a special new home. Funded by the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund, it is hoped this home will enable a new family to move to Callaway.

Carla Kimball, Deputy Director for Central Nebraska Economic Development District, welcomed the large crowd gathered at what is now an empty lot at 808 E. Pacific Street, for the ceremony. Callaway Village Board Chairman Mark Kimball began by summarizing the housing project.

“Custer Economic Development Corporation with the assistance of Central Nebraska Economic Development District received a grant for $500,000 from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) to construct three single family homes for qualified income buyers. Two of these homes have already been built and sold in Broken Bow, and we are excited to have one of these homes being built right here in Callaway,” said Kimball.

He explained that the NAHTF was established in 1986 through the Nebraska Affordable Housing act to address a shortage of quality affordable housing. “Housing shortages limit a person’s choice of where they live, and the ability to seek and sustain employment. Our workforce is directly affected by the quality and cost of housing,” Kimball said. “For communities, schools and businesses, affordable housing is a critical part of a sustainable and successful community economic development strategy.”

Several dignitaries were on hand for the special event, including Jerad Reimers - staff member for Congressman Adrian Smith. Reimers shared congratulations to the Callaway community on behalf of the Congressman, and added, “He would continue to reaffirm his belief that affordable housing is a bedrock for opportunity in communities to continue to grow.”

Nebraska Lt. Governor Mike Foley also visited Callaway on Tuesday. “The beauty of this program is the state makes the grant, we build a few homes and get them sold, and that money then stays in the community and gets recycled to build more houses. This is a tremendous program,” said Foley. “Congratulations to all the visionary leaders who pulled this all together and filled out all the paperwork, and got it done.”

Last year, through redistricting, Custer County joined Legislative District 43, represented by Sen. Tom Brewer. A native of Gordon, Brewer shared his concerns about making sure this half of the state of Nebraska is well represented in Lincoln and encouraged everyone to contact his office with any concerns they have. The Legislative session reconvenes on Jan. 4, and already has 29 bills. “We are hoping for ideas right up until the final day we have to drop bills. Don’t hesitate to call and share ideas, because that is the secret to getting things fixed.”

Sen. Brewer also commended those who did the legwork on the grant for the house to be built in Callaway. “There is money in pockets all over the place, you figure out once you get into government, but if someone doesn’t figure out how to get to that someone else will use it in time. And the more we get out here, the better,” said Brewer.

The project is a collaboration of the Callaway Economic Development Corporation, the Custer Economic Development Corporation and Central Nebraska Economic Development District. Morgan Pearson with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development was present at the groundbreaking ceremony and commended all of those entities for working together to bring the project to fruition.

Keith Ellis, Custer Economic Development Corporation Director, shared the story of how the project initially happened in Callaway. “Ken Pitkin and I were in a Zoom meeting with DED about dilapidated properties, and it was mentioned that we needed a lot for the third house, and Ken said, ‘We have a lot!’ And that’s how it got started. We have a great partnership with the community of Callaway.”

Ken Pitkin, President of the Callaway Chamber of Commerce, was one of the instrumental forces behind the grant project. He took an opportunity to thank all of the community members who worked behind the scenes to make this happen. The new home will be built by Bryson Kennedy, who recently left the field of education.

“Callaway is on the move, and we are proud of that. We have a great school system, a great long-term care facility and are working on a new assisted living facility. We have outstanding medical services. We just passed a $4 million bond issue for a new pool. We are going to be here, and we see a future,” Pitkin said. “Our theme for the Chamber has been ‘Working Together We Can Do Great Things’. And one of our brochures says Callaway is a great place to visit, but it’s a better place to live. And you are all invited.”

Construction on the new home will begin next Spring, with completion slated for the Fall of 2023. The home will then be sold to an income qualified family.