BEATRICE – A southeast Nebraska city will make an economic development loan for a new animal boarding business.  The Beatrice City Council approved the loan of just over $98,000 to A-and-N Dog Boarding, LLC, which will use a former car dealership building at 19th and Court. The loan comes from sales tax revenue generated by the city’s LB 840 program.


Co-owner Nick Bell said the boarding facility will take about a third of the interior of a building at the site.  "The other parts of that building, we haven't decided yet. We'll rent out that space for some purpose. We'll also utilize the parking lot for food trucks....farmers market type things......lots of options, there."


The 15-year-loan will be made at four-percent interest. The project is also being supported by bank financing.


Co-owner Amy Bell says the planned business has gotten good feedback so far and there is a demand for additional animal boarding. "We're getting calls already...its extremely popular and we're very encouraged, so far. We definitely want to keep that business in Beatrice. Everyone that has called, especially over the summer months, the facilities in town are already booked...and otherwise they're going to Lincoln. We're not opening until August 15."


The business plans to have a capacity to hold 30 dogs….in a setting the owners describe as a dog daycare…..where animals are not always kept in a kennel.
A committee that oversees LB 840 funds reviewed the business plan of the entity and recommended approval of the loan. The plan was also previously approved by the city’s planning and zoning commission.