ANTELOPE COUNTY, Neb. (KTIV) -
An agricultural hub is one step closer to reality in Northeast Nebraska. By a vote of five to three, the Antelope County Planning Commission accepted the preliminary plans. But county leaders say they will be watching closely to make sure the company keeps some promises.
Kenny Schwager lives halfway between Royal and Orchard in Antelope County, a quarter mile off Highway 20. His acreage is right across the road from Central Valley Ag's planned agronomy hub.
"I thought, you gotta be kidding me," said Schwager.
That was Kenny's reaction when he found out about the plan back in August.
"You're gonna have trains coming in 24/7 and semis," said Schwager. "I greatly oppose it."
So do Kenny's neighbors. But now they're one vote away from a new neighbor.
"It's an environmentally-sound investment of approximately $25 million," said Central Valley Ag chairman of the board, Dave Beckman.
While folks like Kenny see noise, traffic and dropping home values, Central Valley Ag says the hub will create better access for farmers to ship grain to world markets, add to the county's tax rolls and create up to 25 new jobs.
"Clerical to salespeople to agronomy workers," said Beckman.
The county planning commission has approved the facility, but it's come with the condition that Central Valley Ag works to stop noise and dust from traveling to neighboring homes.
"I can understand very much so where they're coming from. We just want to work with them and prove that we can be a good neighbor and we will be," said Beckman.
The plans now move to the Antelope County Board of Supervisors for the final vote. Another public hearing will take place before that.
If approved, construction could start this winter or spring.
