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Businesses need to adjust sales tax rate – Changes effective Jan. 1

January 15, 2020 By Mainstreet Beatrice

There has been some confusion and several recent inquiries about the Gage County Sales Tax that took effect on January 1st.

This post is meant to help businesses obtain more information on the changes to collecting sales and use tax throughout Gage County.

The additional rate of 0.5% county tax went into effect January 1st – please be sure to adjust your rates accordingly. For the City of Beatrice, the rate is 8%

If you have questions please contact the Nebraska Department of Revenue at 402-471-5729. For questions specific to the new county sales tax please contact the Gage County Deputy Clerk, Michelle Bloomquist. Michelle can be reached at 612 Grant St. / PO Box 429 Beatrice NE 68310 deputy.clerk@gage.nacone.org Phone:  402-223-1303.

A listing of rates by community can be found here: https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/revenue.nebraska.gov/files/doc/business/rates_01-1-2020.pdf

A news story on the changes can be found here: https://beatricedailysun.com/news/local/sales-tax-to-pay-beatrice-judgment-goes-into-effect-jan/article_1f301f8a-e3b1-51ab-a6d2-b84cd62a930f.html#utm_source=beatricedailysun.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletter-templates%2Fnews-alert&utm_medium=PostUp&utm_content=54ad76e36c4ad6c4aff7863f6a22483bcfa1e47e

Filed Under: Business Development, News, Uncategorized

Decorating Contest Winners Announced

December 25, 2019 By Mainstreet Beatrice

Main Street Beatrice has announced the people’s favorite in this year’s storefront display contest.

The Black Crow Restaurant and Bar won the people’s choice award out of the 15 participating businesses and building owners.

More than 300 ballots were cast in what was the seventh year for the event that promotes holiday cheer in the downtown area.

The 2019 theme, “Cherished Holiday Traditions” provided inspiration for many of the downtown merchants.

This year, dozens of businesses helped spread the Christmas spirit by adding displays, color, and in many cases sound and animation to their store fronts.

Bargain Box came in second in the people’s choice category, while Bagby Travel claimed third place.

Fifteen downtown businesses participated in the contest this year with many additional business sporting holiday displays that add excitement to the store fronts all across the downtown area.

In addition to the people’s choice awards, a Main Street Beatrice design committee announced its own set of winners, including:

Best use of Lights – Scheer Quality Furniture

Most Creative – City of Beatrice

Best Representation of Theme – Gem’s & Junk Thrift Store

Best Use of Product/Service – Weigel Jewelry

Best Year Round Displays – Quilt Stitches

Locations that participated in the decorating event included Bagby Travel, The Bargain Box, The Black Crow Restaurant & Bar, City of Beatrice, Clean Slate Soap, Gems & Junk, Mother to Mother /Burwood Books, PATINA, Quilt Stitches, Scheer Quality Furniture, Sherwin Williams, Security First Bank, Steel Magnolia, Traubel’s Popcorn Stand, and Weigel Jewelry.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events, News, Uncategorized

As the Holiday Season sets in check out these community events!

November 21, 2019 By Mainstreet Beatrice

The 2019 Holiday Season Gift Guide < viewable online PDF.

Individual Events:

Sunday November 24th – Courthouse Lighting Ceremony

Saturday, November 30th – Small Business Saturday Get out and explore downtown Beatrice this holiday season, you are sure to enjoy yourself and find something new along the way!

Small Business Saturday – Facebook Event Link

Saturday, December 7th – Lighted Holiday Parade Day Activities

Downtown Rides with Santa Facebook Event Link

Special Movie Showing Facebook Event Link

Lighted Holiday Parade Facebook Event Link

Link to PDF for download or printing

Vote for your favorite Downtown Storefront Display

December 5-18th – vote at participating locations

Win a $25.00 Gift Certificate by entering the Gift a Day Drawing while out shopping Downtown!

Win a $25.00 Gift Certificate by entering while out shopping Downtown

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events, News, Shopping, Uncategorized

City of Beatrice modified building ordinance as part of an effort to get in front of dilapidation.

November 19, 2019 By Mainstreet Beatrice

Downtown Beatrice has been a location of strong community growth of late, however, there are still major challenges to be faced as it relates to building conditions at a handful of properties.
Main Street Beatrice & The City of Beatrice have been contemplating potential strategies to address these challenges that face our community and have the potential to negatively impact those who are doing great things in our community.

The plan being put forth, while not a perfect solution, appears to be the best route forward. We encourage our downtown building & property owners that have concerns to please let us know.

Below are a few links that we hope help to understand what is being considered:

Beatrice Daily Sun Article from November 5th

Beatrice Daily Sun Article from November 19th

Here is the letter submitted by Main Street Beatrice to downtown property and business owners dated 11/13/19.

Here is a summary of the ordinance as provided by City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer for the City Council’s November 4th meeting.

In 2016 the City adopted the Adjoining Building Ordinance.  As with most laws, after using it for a couple of years you discover parts that you would like to amend.  The proposed amendments to the adjoining building ordinance are as follows:

  • Clarify that registration of adjoining buildings is required.
  • Establish that the registration runs from January 1st to December 31st.
  • Provide that the registration fee shall be waived if the owner provides proof of insurance.
  • Requires that all adjoining buildings are inspected annually; however, if the building is found to be compliant, is properly registered, and provides proof of insurance then the building will be inspected every four (4) years.  Except in the case of an emergency or visual observations pursuant to another applicable city code.
  • States that the inspection will focus on foundation, walls, floors, joists, ceiling, and roofs.

            To go along with the new proposed adjoining building ordinance we have learned that the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Re-use funds can be used for rehabilitation activity that will correct code violations and enable a business to survive and retain jobs.  At least 51% of the jobs created or retained must be made available to or held by low-to-moderate income (LMI) persons. 

            Generally, this requires the applicant to fill out one (1) additional sheet of paper when they apply for the job.  The business then reviews the applications of the LMI individuals first.  If they find an employee great.  If not, the business then reviews the applications of the non-LMI individuals.  The business then submits the additional sheet of paper and a job creation and retention summary sheet to the City quarterly.

            Since these are CDBG Re-use loan funds the building owner or business owner would have to follow the City’s CDBG Revolving Loan Fund Reuse Plan. 

  • Must be an eligible business.  
  • Must be an eligible activity.
  • Can be a loan, grant, or some of each.
  • Max of $35,000 per job created or retained.
  • Applications go before the Citizen Advisory Review Committee (CARC) and then City Council.
  • Applicants have to submit financial statements to the City.  They are not made public.  The City Administrator reviews the financial statements.

            Finally, the City is exploring the possibility of becoming a Certified Local Government (CLG).  Being a CLG would provide the City to apply for grants to assist in surveys, National Register nomination preparation, demolition review of historic properties, publications, workshops and events.

Here is a PDF copy of the most recent ordinance revision, dated 11/19/19

Please note the definition of an adjoining building was modified.

Update from 12/2/19 – The Beatrice City Council unanimously voted to approve the revisions to the adjoining building ordinance.

News story on the meeting from the Beatrice Daily Sun

Filed Under: Business Development, News, Uncategorized

Night of the Great Pumpkin draws over 1,000 kids downtown

October 25, 2019 By Mainstreet Beatrice

The 2019 event brought out over 1,000 kids to enjoy trick or treating downtown shops and partake in several activities.

Here are a few images from this year’s event.


2019 Event Flyer

The 2020 event will be held on Thursday October 29th!

Filed Under: Events, News, Uncategorized

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