CALLAWAY – Community leaders from around the area convened in Callaway Thursday morning for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of a new single-family home on East Pacific Street.
The home is the third built by Custer Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), with help from Central Nebraska Economic Development District (CNEDD), using a grant for more than $500,000 from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The grant provides funds to build homes for income-qualified individuals and families.
Callaway Village Board Chairman Mark Kimball emphasized the importance of rural communities addressing the shortage of affordable housing.
The home covers 1,200 square feet on the main floor with three bedrooms and an unfinished basement.
Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director K.C. Belitz called the construction an achievement that deserves to be celebrated.
CEDC Director Scotti Ross said the home has already been sold and its new owners will close next week. Judy Petersen of CNEDD added that the proceeds from the sale will go toward building another home in Custer County in the near future.
Later Thursday afternoon CNEDD held a groundbreaking ceremony in Anselmo for renovations to the Anselmo Village Library.
That project, supported by a Community Development Block Grant of more than $442,000, will include handicap-accessible bathrooms, handicap-accessible entrances and a newly renovated kitchen space to help the library attract more visitors and host larger events.
