ELK CREEK, Neb. - Progress.

That’s what’s happening in southeast Nebraska town of less than 75 just south of Tecumseh. The Elk Creek community is coming together to raise funds for a new 2-in-1 fire hall and community building.

“We’ve got a lot of donations, we’ve got over 100,000 in donations, it’s a building we desperately needed.”

Through vigorous leadership, those who call Elk Creek home secured funding through grants from the state of Nebraska, while also forming the Elk Creek Community Fund, allowing for tax charitable donations to bring in more money.

Chair for the community fund Jacob Robison says upgrades are noticeable and the project is much needed

“With this newer facility, obviously you can see huge upgrades,” Robison said. “What this allows us to do moving forward is have bigger events, have more things here, and bring people back to the community which are our big goals.”

The town plans for the community building to hold events such as parties, weddings, and get togethers. The fire hall, once finished, will be brand new.

On Monday, the community fund and its board members celebrated $85,000 in donations through the community fund. Lifelong Elk Creek native Arlin Beethe says much of that was assisted by the Nebraska Foundation.

“We got the Nebraska Foundation down to help them get things going ad they went out and did a tremendous job of collecting money, they talked to alumni from Elk Creek, talked to a number of people from around the community and they supported it very well.”