Chadron council approves $50,000 LB840 grant to Fur Trade Days for mobile stage

The City of Chadron on May 4 approved a $50,000 LB840 Economic Development grant to Fur Trade Days, Inc. to assist with purchase of an Apex 2424 mobile stage.

Rob Wahlstrom, a member of the Economic Development Review Committee, told the council the committee met to review the application and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the grant. Applicants represented by Kerri Rempp and Dave Hockenberry told the council the stage includes a roof, can be assembled by two people in about one hour, will be used primarily for community events such as Bands on Bordeaux and may also be used for events outside the area. Rempp and Hockenberry said Fur Trade Days has secured funding from the Arts Council, private donors, 100 Women Who Care, the Dawes County Travel Board and the Chamber of Commerce, and is in negotiations with Chadron State College.

The council considered and adopted Resolution 2026-36, which finds a public hearing was held and approves the Fur Trade Days LB840 grant application in the amount of $50,000. Councilmember Shane Shepherd introduced the resolution and Councilmember Clay Andersen seconded. The roll call vote was Aye: Andersen, Graves, Klein, Shepherd; Abstain: Oleksy. The resolution cites the Chadron Economic Development Plan and statutory notice requirements referenced in the resolution text.

The grant is intended to support local events and expand the city’s capacity to host community performances; the city will proceed with the grant award as authorized in the resolution adopted May 4.