Governor Ricketts joined community members to celebrate fairground improvements on Thursday
Leadership Custer County was created by Custer Economic Development Corporation as a tool to encourage a pipeline of quality leaders in business and education who would funnel into organizations and positions of community leadership. The 2016 leadership class was divided into groups and challenged to create projects that would benefit Custer County. One of the group projects involved improvements at the Custer County Fairgrounds that included the creation of a small park. Once the park was started other community groups saw the need and became involved. Thursday morning, September 20th, several individuals, including Nebraska’s Governor Pete Ricketts, gathered to acknowledge what has been done and to discuss future plans for improvements at the fairgrounds.
Governor Pete Ricketts, Travis Schauda and Shawn Lehmkuler touring fairgrounds
A ribbon cutting was held for the park that includes a covered picnic area and newly planted trees. A groundbreaking was also held to kick off assembly of a 90 ft. flagpole to be erected in the park. The projects are being supported by the Broken Bow Rotary, Elks Lodge 1688, Custer County Ag Society and several other groups.
Following the ceremonies, Governor Ricketts was given a tour of the grounds to highlight some of the newly completed construction and future projects that are in the Custer County Ag Society’s five-year plan. At the conclusion of the tour, Governor Ricketts said Broken Bow and Custer County are great examples of how leadership and civic groups working together can grow a community and make it a great place to live. He also noted the importance of county fairs that encourage Nebraska’s youth to participate in 4-H and FFA activities. The Governor said that according to the USDA, between now and 2020, there will be 53,000 job openings in the agricultural field and only 35,000 graduates who will qualify to fill those positions.
J.J Marten is the Custer County Fairgrounds Superintendent and he, along with his crew, has worked hard to develop the park. Marten was also a member of the community leadership group that set the wheels in motion for the park area. J.J. said the ground just west of the show arena was not being used and now everyone in the county can enjoy the space.
Ground is broken for the 90 foot flagpole being installed at the Custer County fairgrounds
