Growing Nebraska’s economy, including opportunities for family operations, is essential to sustainable tax relief for all Nebraskans, and that was the foundational purpose for the roundtable held last week in Lincoln. On October 30th, I partnered with the Platte Institute to host a roundtable discussion on the challenges producers and businesses face when trying to build or expand operations in Nebraska, specifically related to zoning. Participants included individual agricultural producers and representatives from organizations with expertise in zoning and land use. A recurring concern was the inconsistent and often unpredictable way counties handle zoning decisions. Attendees described tangible costs from these inconsistencies, including lost income due to delayed approvals, higher expenses while waiting for permits, and denials without clear justification. Several noted that basic opposition to growth can sometimes influence board decisions in ways that overlook the actual merits of a proposal or its potential benefit to the local economy. These obstacles make it difficult for producers and businesses to plan, invest, and grow, affecting both individual operations and the broader agricultural sector, and highlight the need for a more transparent and predictable permitting process.

Lunch Chef Salad Available Daily Thursday, November 13th: Beef roast, baked potato, carrots, tropical fruit, dinner roll and milk. Friday, November 14th: Chili, pears, cinnamon roll and milk.

The largest printing company in the yearbook industry, Pictavo, has named the yearbook created by students at Ainsworth High School to its “Pictavo International Honor Roll.” From the company’s international network of yearbook creators, more than 200 publications garnered recognition based on their inclusivity, representation and overall content. In addition, books were evaluated for innovation in design, concept, photography, art and graphics.

The Brown County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, November 5, in the Brown County Courthouse meeting room. In attendence were Commissioners Jeremiah Dailey, Don Painter, and Dennis Bauer.

Veterans Day is an important reminder to honor the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of the men and women who have bravely served in our military. Their selflessness has allowed us to enjoy the freedoms and safety we have today.

The Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education met on Monday, November 10, for its monthly meeting and Data and Curriculum Retreat. Present were board members Crystal Dailey, Frank Beel, Bryan Doke, Jessica Pozehl, and Brad Wilkins.