Multi-million dollar Bell Lumber and Pole plant celebrates opening

The new Bell Lumber and Pole plant located northwest of Sidney received a big welcome from members of the community as well as state representatives at Thursday's grand opening.

The $25 million utility pole treatment plant located north of the Adams Industries Industrial Park has already created at least 30 local jobs and is set for possible expansion.

Many local government leaders spoke to the large crowd at the opening. They all applauded the project's success due to the cooperation of the Bell company, Adams Industries, the city of Sidney, Cheyenne County and the village of Potter.

Tom Bell, the company's president said he chose to locate the plant in Cheyenne County because of its proximity to the company's customer base and because it complimented its Minnesota location.

Bell Lumber and Pole was also attracted by Sidney's desire for its business.

"The community was passionate about us being here," Bell said.

Bell plans to be in Cheyenne County for a long time to come and to possibly grow its operation here.

"If it was a one year investment, I wouldn't be here," Bell said.

Bell hopes that his company can positively influence the community and the lives of its workers.

"We are confident about the future, passionate about our footprint and making a difference in the community," he said.

To make this happen, the company must perform its business excellently, Bell added.

Infrastructure costs for the project were funded by tax increment financing, which captures the expected future increase in property taxes that result from higher valuations after a project is finished to repay public costs associated with the project. These costs could include things such as streets, water, sewer and parking lots. The project also received a $600,000 community block grant for site preparation. The TIF funding was a big draw when deciding where to locate the plant, Bell said.

Dan Curran, Director of the Business Development Division for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development presented a letter to Bell from Gov. Dave Heineman.

"I want to congratulate you on the opening of Sidney's newest outstanding business, Bell Lumber and Pole company," the letter read. "The company's excellence and deep-rooted family tradition are to be commended."

Potter village board chairman Casey Smith thanked everyone involved for helping to make this project possible.

"Again, thanks to Bell Lumber and Pole for selecting this location, we know you could have picked some other areas, you had other choices," Smith said. "We look forward to working with good people with good ideas helping to build a great community. Welcome to the neighborhood."

Cheyenne County commissioner Ken McMillen found significance in the fact that Bell was founded in 1909, the same year McMillen's grandfather homesteaded in Cheyenne County.

He applauded the company's cooperation with the Cheyenne County Highway Department in developing the access road and entrance to the facility.

City councilman Mark Nienhueser thanked Adams Industries for its hard work to turn a former army ammunition depot into a viable rail logistics and industrial park not just for the Bell plant but in the interest of future growth.

Bell shared his passion for making a positive impact on the community with the crowd. He thanked all those involved for their hard work and sacrifice.

"I've never done this, but to experience people's authentic passion around us being successful and being part of someone's community, that's just a really neat experience," Bell said.

This is the company's first time building this kind of plant in 35 years.

"I'm just really excited to be employing folks and putting them to work and we are excited about expanding our business," Bell said.

Businesses like Bell Lumber and Pole are important because they promise good jobs to Nebraska's youth in the future, Curran commented.

The state works to ensure that 40 percent of its economic development funding goes toward rural projects, he added, which helps Nebraska compete with other states who might be vying for projects like this one. Mechanisms like TIF help to fund up front costs which could seem daunting to businesses looking to relocate.

"You're lucky to get a great company like Bell in Nebraska," Curran said. "Sidney just outworked everybody."

The plant has already been up and running for about one month. It shipped out its first load of poles in early April.

Many local business leaders as well as other prominent community members and Bell workers attended the event, which filled the entire shop area attached to the plant. Those who attended were treated to lunch, free Bell coffee thermoses and log-shaped pens.

"I think it's a very big thing," said Chris Petri, a worker at the new plant. "They're very family oriented. I'm happy to work for them."