Heidemann impressed with Sidney's offerings

The City of Sidney has a lot of foot traffic through its streets on a daily basis, especially being right next to Interstate 80.

This Wednesday however, an important new face came to town and was blown away by Sidney’s potential and its great people.

Nebraska Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann arrived in Sidney yesterday morning after making stops in Bridgeport and Alliance the night before.

At 12 p.m. int City Hall Heidemann presented awards to City of Sidney employees and businesses on behalf of the 2012 Nebraska Main Street Program. The program recognizes communities statewide that keep the program continually informed of their extensive downtown revitalization efforts.

The lieutenant governor took the opportunity while being in town to explore the town and meet the faces behind different Sidney businesses.

“It’s very impressive here and you have great people,” said Heidemann. “You have a lot of things going on in Sidney and Cheyenne County. I probably have only been through a couple times before but never had I stopped in Sidney; I’m very impressed.”

He commented on the people of Sidney, as well as its booming economic potential to bring in a larger workforce.

“There are a lot of good people that have decided to do business here and it’s very impressive,” he said. “With all the jobs here you need more workers, while every other community is looking for businesses to come in.”

“It’s amazing that you have the businesses but you don’t have the workers,” added Heidemann.

The lieutenant governor said he had drove around the entire town earlier that the day to get a “good feel for the city.”

“We went to local businesses and we actually went out to Cabela’s and had a meeting with them,” he said. “They let us know what they are doing and where they are at.”

The lieutenant governor said that he is fascinated by all the different downtown revitalization efforts that have taken place in Sidney and all the efforts that are planned to commence in the future.

“I came here because of your main street,” he said. “The city has a lot of things going on downtown and is doing a great job with the downtown area.”

Heidemann also held a downtown Meet and Greet at the Coffee Corner from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. during his visit yesterday.

At the Meet and Greet, coffee and cake were served and several Sidney residents and business owners came to talk with the lieutenant governor about not only his new government position, but also another hot topic that was something Heidemann is very knowledgeable about, farming.

Having farmed for many years with his family about 65 miles southeast of Lincoln, he talked about crops and procedures with local farmers. He also talked with other citizens about their life story and how they ended up in Sidney.

As far as being appointed the new lieutenant governor, Heidemann said that he is enjoying it very much.

“My life is an adventure on a daily basis,” he said. “I’m enjoying it to no end. I get to do things like this. I get to meet people and I get to see places, and see the potential out there.”

Heidemann, who served as a state senator for eight years, said that he is happy to be back working in Lincoln.

“It’s good to be in the capital again and to be back amongst the people I use to work with,” he said.