Partnership Assits ePower Launch Green Manufacturing Project
The Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership, which includes the Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation, played a key role in assisting start-up company ePower locate funds for a new facility that will manufacture an innovative diesel/electric drive train for large semi-trailer trucks. The city of La Vista, through the state’s CDBG program, will loan ePower $500,000 for working capital. With this project, ePower will create at least 20 jobs over the next two years with the potential for much higher growth as the technology demonstrates its fuel savings.
The Partnership began working with ePower mid-2010 and looked at multiple avenues of potential financing to help the company locate the facility in Greater Omaha. It was determined that a CDBG loan would provide the greatest benefit. Staff brought in the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency to assist. A location was found in La Vista that met the manufacturing specifications for the project and a “letter of intent” was signed to hold the property while the La Vista city administration and council worked through the CDBG loan process.
