Council approves LB840 grants for workforce training and job creation for GIX Logistics and DRAMCO Tool

The Grand Island City Council approved two LB840 economic development grants at its April 8 meeting.

City Administrator Laura McAloon and Mary Burley, executive director of the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation, presented the applications. Council approved: (1) a replacement LB840 job-training grant for GIX Logistics Inc., which will reimburse 100% of approved employee training costs under an amended 2023 grant contract and (2) an LB840 package for DRAMCO Tool Company consisting of $160,000 over five years to support hiring and training 10 new full-time employees.

McAloon said GIX—s amendment narrows the previously approved 2023 award to focus specifically on specialized employee training and that the amended contract would replace unspent 2023 funds; staff and the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation recommended approval.

Mary Burley described DRAMCO as a precision manufacturing employer based at 502 South Claude Road that plans to increase its head count from 58 to 68 full-time employees over five years, with the company—s proposed minimum average wage for new hires at $25 per hour. Burley said the $160,000 request is broken into $120,000 tied to job creation milestones and $40,000 for training, dispersed after workforce audits through 2029.

Council members praised DRAMCO—s community engagement, including a prior high-school apprenticeship program and participation in local memorial projects. Both grant motions were moved and seconded during the meeting and the mayor called for a vote; the record shows the motions were adopted.

Ending

Staff will complete and execute the formal grant agreements consistent with the motions approved by the council.