Local Services

Utilities

Loup Power District, a wholesale power customer of Nebraska Public Power District, provides electric service to the city of Albion. The Boone County area is served by four 115 kV to 34.5 kV transmission substations with a combined capacity of 103,000 kVA. The transmission substations are connected by 34.5 kV subtransmission lines with seven 34.5 kV-4.16 and 12.5 kV distribution substations in the community and surrounding rural areas. The 115 kV transmission system is part of Nebraska Public Power District’s statewide transmission grid system.

Natural gas is supplied by Kinder Morgan, Inc., through various transmission pipelines with an operating pressure of approximately 800 pounds per square inch. Natural gas is available for residential and commercial uses. Availability of natural gas for industrial uses is subject to individual situations. As specific requirements of an industrial prospect become available, information on gas service availability and applicable rates can be obtained by calling (800) 563-0012, Kinder Morgan’s Service Center

Telecommunications services are provided to the Albion area by Frontier, a Citizens Communications Company, with a digital central office served by fiber. Installation and maintenance personnel are located in the community. Many long distance carriers serve this equal access community.

Public Alliance for Community Energy (ACE)
The City of Albion is a proud member of the Public Alliance for Community Energy (ACE).  Formed in February 1998, ACE was created when several communities joined together to compete in the first natural gas customer choice program in Nebraska.  These communities saw an opportunity to help their citizens save money by offering competitive prices and working to keep revenue in the state.  Today, ACE has grown to include more than 65 member communities and one public power district.

ACE sets itself apart from other gas suppliers because it is owned and controlled by Nebraska Communities.  The ACE Board of Directors is made up of elected officials or municipal staff from participating communities who establish rates and policies for ACE.

Commitment.  Community.  Service.  These words are the cornerstone of ACE.  As a non-profit organization, we are committed to providing competitively priced retail natural gas to our customers.

Commitment  to forcing competition in natural gas prices Community-owned and locally controlled Service beyond expectation www.aceenergy.org

Library

The Albion Public Library, handicap accessible with an elevator lift, contains over 16,000 volumes and has an average annual circulation of 26,000. The computerized library has cassettes, audio books, a micro-film reader­printer, and eight computers with Internet access. Library activities include a children's reading group as well as a teen center. Local organizations have established a designated area within the library for a resource center. The center houses resource materials and computer equipment to be used by entrepreneurs and others interested in starting small businesses. Library hours are M-W-Th from 2-9 p.m.; Tues & Fri from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2-6 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Streets

Albion has 19 miles of streets, 12 miles of which are hard-surfaced with concrete. Local load restrictions do not exist. Ninety-five percent of the streets have curbs and sidewalks. Street maintenance equipment includes sweeping, snow removal, and sand and salt sprinkling

Education

The Boone Central Public School District covers approximately 125 square miles in Boone and Antelope counties. This Class 3, Type K-6, 7-12 district is accredited by the State of Nebraska and the North Central Association. It is estimated 100 percent of the eighth grade students in Boone County finish high school, 89 percent of the high school graduates pursue a college education, and 11 percent enter the labor market.

During the 2006/2007 school year, Boone Central Public School welcomed Mr. Lambert as its new superintendent. There are 580 students attending Boone Central Public Schools.

St. Michael's Catholic School in Albion serves preschool through eighth grade students and is recognized by the Nebraska Department of Education as an accredited school. In addition to required classes, students also receive instruction in religion, music, computers, library, and choir. Enrollment is open to Catholic students as well as students from other religious denominations.

The Educational Service Unit (ESU) #7, headquartered in Columbus, serves Albion. The ESU provides cooperative services to schools and leadership in improving the quality of education. Services are approved by the school districts through a representative process.

NorthStar of Nebraska in Columbus serves adults with developmental disabilities in 22 northeast Nebraska counties, including Boone County. The agency provides habilitative/vocational training and residential services.

Local students attend Central Community College with campuses located in Grand Island, Hastings and Columbus. Central Community College offers both technical/career education programs and an academic transfer program for students wanting to earn a bachelor's degree.

Other area colleges frequently attended by Boone Central High School graduates include:

• Concordia University - Seward, NE
• Southeast Community College - Milford, NE
• University of Nebraska at Kearney - Kearney, NE
• Midland Lutheran College - Fremont, NE
• Wayne State College - Wayne, NE
• University of Nebraska at Lincoln - Lincoln, NE
• University of Nebraska at Omaha - Omaha, NE
• Hastings College - Hastings, NE
• Dana College - Blair, NE
• College of St. Mary’s - Omaha, NE
• Creighton University - Omaha, NE
• Nebraska Wesleyan College - Lincoln, NE
• Doane College - Crete, NE

Health Care

Boone County Health Center, the largest employer in Boone County, has seven physicians and three physician assistants on staff. Quality comprehensive services are available. Seven medical clinics provide healthcare services at convenient locations throughout the service area.

Rescue Squad - Assisting the Health Center are 23 certified Emergency Medical Technicians from the Albion Volunteer Fire Department who respond to rescue calls with two modern, fully equipped rescue units owned by the city and county.

Dental - The Dental Clinic, located at 305 West Church Street, is serviced by 2 experienced dentists. For more information call 402-395-2211.

Wolf Memorial Good Samaritan Center provides care to residents unable to care for themselves in a home-life atmosphere. The center is accredited by the Nebraska Nursing Home Association and is certified by Medicare and approved by Medicaid. The center offers 24-hour nursing care, a chapel, restorative care, physical therapy, bus transportation, short-term care, an outdoor courtyard, a satellite distance-learning classroom, and an activity program.

Samaritan Estates, completed in 2004, offers 20 assisted living units. The beautiful facility is a great addition to the senior services available in Albion.

Independent living apartments, located near Wolf Memorial Good Samaritan Center, make utilizing senior services convenient. The complex consists of 13 one-bedroom apartments for seniors age 62 and older desiring independent living. The Boone County Health Center is located one block away.

Housing

Low Cost and/or Retirement Housing
Albion Manor, built in 2002, is an 8-flex for low income senior citizens.

Harmony Homes, built in 1966 by the Albion Housing Authority, is a low-cost housing facility with 40 ground­level units. Facilities include a community room with kitchen, laundry facilities, and social activities.

Parkview Apartments, built in 1977, has 24 three-bedroom units. Facilities include a community room and plaza, laundry room, indoor mail delivery, elevator, handi-bus pick-up, meals on wheels, and prescription and grocery delivery.

Wolf Memorial Good Samaritan Apartments is a complex of 13 one-bedroom apartments for seniors age 62 and older desiring independent living. The Boone County Health Center is located one block away.

Churches

Fire Department

Fire protection is provided in Albion by a 43-member volunteer fire department. The department has a cooperative agreement with the Rural Fire Department in providing protection to areas outside the city limits.

Albion has 95 fire hydrants. The fire insurance classification inside the corporate limits is 7, outside it is 9. Average annual expenditures for fire protection during the last three years were $33,517.

Law Enforcement

Police Department
The Albion Police Department is staffed with three full-time policemen. Equipment in the police department includes three patrol cars and other standard equipment. The Boone County Sheriff’s Department in Albion is staffed with four sworn officers and seven dispatchers/correction officers. Equipment in the department includes a base radio station, intoxilizer, holding facility, and other standard equipment. Regular patrol by the police and sheriff’s departments provide protection to existing industries. The Boone County Sheriff’s Department operates the Emergency 911 service covering Boone County.

Albion Chamber of Commerce • 420 West Market St. • Albion, NE 68620 • 402-395-6723 • ccalbn@hotmail.com

---

Copyright © 2007 Nebraska Public Power District. All rights reserved.