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HARTINGTON — A new housing development here brings with it a chance for a new start for several area families.
City and state officials gathered with developers at the new Nordby Housing Addition site Friday for a ground-breaking ceremony.
The 12-unit development will feature rent-to-own homes built between east Main Street and Highway 84 on the east side of town.
A great deal of work has already been done at the site. The street and infrastructure has already been installed and three of the 12 houses have already been framed up. The basements for a couple more have already been dug.
City leaders said Friday they hope the development will provide opportunities for not only new residents to Hartington, but for those who've called Cedar County home for decades, as well.
'It's a great thing to have you here to provide new housing for people that want to move here,' Hartington Mayor Mark Becker said over the sound of hammers pounding away in the background. 'There is a definite need for us and maybe even for the elderly that want to downsize, and that just opens up more homes and that's a great thing.'
The project has been in the works for quite some time. Discussion on the project began as far back as 2021, and the City Council approved the zoning change to allow it to be built back in the fall of 2023.
Omaha-based Foundation Development is behind the project. Company officials worked with the City of Hartington and the Nebraska Dept. of Economic Development to help secure the financing needed to get the project off the ground.
The company has built similar developments in Wisner and Wayne, This is just one of several great things going on in the city right now, Mayor Becker said.
'The city of Hartington is experiencing one of the biggest booms in recent history certainly, if not of all time,' he said. 'Hartington is a vibrant progressive community and things are happening here. We're pretty proud of that.'
Hartington Economic Development Coordinator Miranda Becker said the project will truly be a big shot in the arm for the community.
'This project represents an opportunity for 12 new families to come to our community — new employees for our businesses, new students for our schools, new community volunteers and first responders and really so much more for our community,' the Economic Development Coordinator said.
