How do we make our community better? That's a question many of our community leaders ask themselves every day. And most days that question goes unanswered.

However, there is one program that rural Nebraskans are finding to be a useful tool in community development and that is the Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act, or what is more commonly referred to as LB 840.

Most economic development projects are done using tools available in a community. Those tools are limited in many villages across Nebraska, including Ewing.

So how do you help grow your community without any source of funding? How do you attract young families to your community or start new businesses or improve the looks of your downtown without any programs available to you?

Many communities are finding it difficult to compete with larger cities unless they have something like LB840 available to help attract businesses and citizens.

Having LB 840 is a decision voters in Ewing will vote on during the May 12 primary election.

A vote for LB 840 would authorize the Village of Ewing to apply a 1/2% local option sales tax to be used toward economic development. To simplify, take one-half of a penny from sales tax for every dollar spent and put that in an account that can be used in the name of economic development. Every $1 in sales equals one-half of a penny for community development.

LB 840 would allow businesses the opportunity to borrow money at a low interest to attract new businesses or assist current businesses expand.

Matching grants are made for businesses to fix storefronts, which in turn make downtown more appealing. This program also allows residents to use matching funds to tear down old dilapidated buildings and replace them with new structures. This is also a way to attract new businesses to your community without putting the financial strain on the city to pay for infrastructure improvements of new businesses.

Like most people, you might be thinking that you certainly don't need another tax and this will probably drive our patrons out of town. But, would you agree most of you do some sort of shopping out of town already? And, are you always aware of what their local tax rate is?

Would it surprise you to know that you are already paying into their local LB 840 fund?

Over 73 communities around Nebraska have implemented LB 840, and when you shop in their town, you can bet they are using your money to improve their community.

It is time to ask ourselves, "Why aren't we doing the same? Why don't we take a small portion of sales tax collected from everyone who shops in Ewing and use it to help improve and attract businesses? Or use it as leverage to clean up our community. Use matching funds to improve the looks of our main street or assist developers to build more housing?"

A safety net for the voting public is that this program has a sunset. In 15 years, if Ewing voters feel this program is no longer working, simply let it expire.

This is not a tax forever. This is a short-term tool that the community of Ewing can use for a short period of time and when you see it work and you see what it can do for the community, you'll vote for it again.

So, who controls the money collected for LB840? You do.

An advisory board comprised of citizens from the community of Ewing decide where and how this money is utilized, in accordance with the plan set forth by the village and state. You and your peers decide what is best for the businesses and residents of your community.

Local control is one of the most important things in rural Nebraska.

Ewing will be voting on LB 840 during the primary elections on May 12, and there is a very important step on how to vote this plan into place.

Citizens of Ewing will have to vote 'yes' twice on the ballot. Vote once for the program plan and once to start collecting the tax.

It takes two "yes" votes to make this work.

The Village Board of Ewing has passed the necessary resolutions to allow the people the opportunity to vote on LB 840 on May 12 and they want to encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote.