Hamilton County villages are on the move, growing quickly

Let’s hear it for Hamilton County’s villages. Good things are happening in these rural hamlets thanks to outstanding cooperative efforts between local governments and private entities. 
Cases in point are the villages of Hampton and Phillips where steps have been taken recently to increase housing and industrial development and to make the best use of community facilities through maximizing the efforts of dedicated community-minded volunteers. 
On the east side of the county, the Hampton Community Development Corporation is working hand in hand with the Village Board to develop more than six acres of formerly ag land into lots for single family homes and a lot zoned for commercial development which adjoins Highway 34. Through a joint effort between volunteers and government officials, Hampton has obtained a $148,000 Rural Development Block Grant that will help provide utilities and other needs for the industrial lot while at the same giving a boost to the housing development. 
On the other side of the county, the Phillips Village Board recently voted to sell the community’s Memorial Hall to the Phillips Community Foundation. At the more than two-hour meeting where the decision was made it was pointed out how vital the foundation’s programs are to the health, vitality and growth of the community. Village officials noted that events sponsored by the foundation, such as the July 3rd celebration and others, bring people and business to the town and cultivate community spirit and pride. 
As was pointed out by State Chamber President Bryan Slone last week in his visit to Aurora, these cooperative relationships are vital because there are things volunteer organizations can do better than local governments and vice versa. Government has the ability to tax the citizens to raise money and is the best entity to take care of things like road maintenance and providing water and sewer service, but it can’t create community spirit and cooperation.
Government can pay individuals to do certain jobs but it can’t make them smile or feel the sense of satisfaction that comes from serving one’s neighbor. That’s where grassroots organizations such as churches, civic clubs, foundations and other groups come in. 
So, let’s hear it one more time for the small towns and villages that dot the Nebraska landscape. Let’s hear it for the volunteers and self-sacrificing local governmental leaders who give of their time and effort to make our lives better! You are making a difference!
-- Ron Burtz