Local leaders' long-term goals to provide housing, recreational and downtown accessibility in the City of Superior have earned accolades for success in community development from the State of Nebraska. The Department of Economic Development (DED) has recertified Superior as a member of Nebraska's Leadership Certified Community (LCC) program. Kelly Gewecke, DED's LCC program coordinator and Central Nebraska business development consultant, honored local leaders during Monday evening's city council meeting.

Superior is one of 31 Nebraska communities to earn status in the program, which was created in 2011 to help villages and municipalities adapt to ongoing changes and opportunities in economic development. Certified communities must demonstrate an understanding for and preparedness in strategic planning, and display readiness in technological development, to help new and existing businesses grow. Qualifying LCC's earn status in the program for five years and are required to maintain community websites to market local development, which may include information on available sites and buildings and regional employment opportunities. The City of Superior first received certification in the program in 2015.

City leaders' efforts to build partnerships with the State of Nebraska and utilize DED programs have resulted in the completion of several projects. In 2016, the city received a grant which assisted in the rehabilitation of eight single family homes and the removal of 10 deteriorated residences. A 2019 grant is funding the construction of six infill single family homes and will create a revolving loan fund that may be used to construct more housing. Four of the homes are currently under construction and two more will soon be started.

The former Superior Development Corporation (SDC) and the Superior Chamber of Commerce spearheaded efforts to improve downtown facade and infrastructure development through a variety of local, regional and state partnerships. The project included three blocks of new curbs and sidewalks as well as landscaping and streetlamps. As a result all business located in that area now have ADA compliant entrances. Seven business facades were improved at a cost of $117,000.

Low-interest loans were provided business owners for updated storefronts and awnings to accompany downtown improvements.

CDBG funding assistance is assisting in the development of a pedestrian infrastructure project.

Mayor Peterson pointed to ongoing project development as a testament to the community's continued commitment to economic growth and said "We as a community believe that proactive economic development is the cornerstone of our future."

"With the third approval vote of our local LB840 sales tax in 2020, we again proved that our residents back our ideas, goals and financial investments. South Central Ecomic Development District and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development are vital partners in this process, and it's good to be surrounded by people and institutions committed to the health of our rural way of life," commented the mayor.

As part of the business transacted Monday evening, the council approved the hiring of Zach Bechenhauer. He will be filling a vacancy on the city's electrical line crew. He is coming to Superior from Cosad where he was employed for four years on that city's electrical crew.