The good, bad in year that was 2021

    The year that was 2021 can be characterized by both highlights and low lights—some good things, some not so good.
    One thing that will make the biggest positive impact for Chase County going forward comes in the form of higher commodity and beef prices.
    The cliche, “a rising tide lifts all boats,” suggests that when farm and ranch prices come up, it’s better all around for a community.
    Prices for corn and wheat rose significantly compared to 2020 when the cash price on Dec. 23 for corn stood at $4.39/bushel, wheat at 5.46/bu. and soybeans at $12/bu.
    On Dec. 23, 2021, the cash price for corn went up to $6.13/bu., with wheat going to $8.02/bu. and soybeans up slightly to $13.03/bu.
    Irrigators produced some outstanding yields, considering that this year’s June and July were the third driest on record dating back to 1885 with around two inches of rain.
    Throughout the Upper Republican NRD counties of Chase, Perkins and Dundy, average water for the 2021 crop season came in at just under 14 inches.
    In spite of the dry conditions, Republican Basin NRDs have not been forced to run augmentation projects since 2017. Estimates show augmentation pumping in 2022 is also unlikely.
    The downside to rising grain prices came from significantly higher input costs, such as seed, fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides. Not much relief is expected there for 2022.
    Cattle feeders finally enjoyed some of the run-up during the last quarter of the year. That’s when prices paid for fat cattle rose to the highest level feeders have seen in five to six years.
    The cow-calf grower also saw better prices for their feeder calves after a tough three to five years. Futures suggest there may still be more upside in prices for feeder cattle.
COVID-19 impact
    After the last quarter of the 2019-2020 school year was replaced with virtual learning due to COVID, students returned to the classrooms in the fall of 2020 and have remained there ever since. Mask mandates were also eased in 2021.
    Distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines began in late January last year, with nursing home and assisted-living patients among the first to be vaccinated.
    People with underlying health conditions and/or people over 65 were among the first of the general public to be offered the vaccine.   
    Over the course of the year, COVID vaccinations became a controversial issue on whether or not to take the vaccine.
    Healthcare workers in Chase County and around the country were faced with a government mandate to get vaccinated. That mandate was put on hold late in 2021 while the issue works its way through the courts.
    The country saw President Joe Biden inaugurated at the 45th president on Jan. 20. One of his big challenges has been dealing with the COVID pandemic.
    As COVID-19 started to wane by summer, the economy started to heat up nationally. One of the lingering effects of COVID came in the form of supply chain shortages in a wide variety of business sectors.
    Locally, that impact was especially felt by car dealers and implement sales, with limited access to new products.
    Actions by Biden to reduce the use of fossil fuels resulted in higher gas prices across the country.
    Lumber prices skyrocketed due to the supply chain issues but started to come down in the fall before heading back up late in the year.
    Lumber prices likely affected the lack of new houses in the county. There was only one new house completed in Chase County in 2021.
    Ryan and Angela Baker completed their new home in early 2021. It’s located southwest of Imperial at 73615 327 Avenue.
    This year marked the first time dating back to 2005 that building permits in Imperial did not eclipse the $1 million mark.
    Permits issued for residential and business projects in 2021 totalled just $680,160.
Business activity
    There was one new business building built in Imperial in 2021.
    TTS Properties, LLC, owned by Todd and Tammy Siverson, built a new office building on Highway 61. Hayden Outdoors Real Estate relocated their offices to the new building the past year.
    Several new businesses opened in Imperial over the course of the year.
    In January, Marcie Kelley opened Nail Day in the Hair Effects building at 526 Broadway.
    Alexa Banks opened Studio A/B Hair Salon in May at the Goose Commodities building at 681 East 3rd Street.
    Elania Fanning opened her new business, Maw Maw’s in the Imperial Professional Plaza at 1320 Broadway.
    The Rusty Nail Boutique opened for business in the Professional Plaza in August.  
    The business is owned by Julie Pflum.

Business ownership changes,
expanded services offered
    Two long-time family businesses changed hands in 2021.
    After more than 80 years of business in Wauneta and Imperial, Harchelroad Motors was sold to the Wolf Auto Group. The name change will occur after franchise transfer by General Motors.
    After 53 years of ownership by the Johnson family, the Imperial Republican was sold in November to High Plains News North, owned by Jesse and Lloyd Mullen.  
    In November, Keithan Cochran purchased Matt Jablonski’s Longhorn Lawn Care at 517 East 5th. The business will now be known as Longhorn Lawn Care Services, LLC.
    In December, T.O. Haas Tire was sold to Sun Auto Tire & Service. The business, located at 621 Hwy. 61, will keep the T.O. Haas name.
    The ProSeed business and building west of Imperial on Hwy. 6 was purchased by Nutrien Ag Solutions.
    First Insight Eyecare brought in a new ophthalmologist, Dr. Michaela Sasse. She will see patients in Imperial and other First Insight locations.
Wauneta business changes, village improvements
    Renny Allen opened EyeLookGood! eyeglass store in the Wauneta medical building located at 308 N. Tecumseh.
    Chad and Jennifer DeWester purchased 5 Star Metal from Jason and Heidi Anderson and relocated the business from Enders to 231 No. Tecumseh in Wauneta.
    The Village of Wauneta completed a major water improvement project in 2021.
Other improvements, notables
    The Chase County Veterans Memorial on the courthouse lawn was completed and officially dedicated Memorial Day weekend.
    The city of Imperial took over operation of the solid waste and recycling program, ending a long-standing joint operating agreement between the city and county.
    Chase County Schools added a new storage building near the school bus barn.
    In May, the Chase County girls track team captured another Class C state track title. In March, the boys basketball team broke a 17-year drought by qualifying for the state basketball tournament. And in the summer, both the Junior and Senior Legion baseball teams qualified for their state tournaments.
    Girls track coach Troy Hauxwell was named Girls Track and Field Head Coach of the Year by the Nebraska Coaches Association.
    Enders Lake park personnel  coordinated a celebration for the recognition of Game & Parks 100th anniversary. The event drew more than 1,000 people and was so successful, Game & Parks has asked them to hold another event this summer.
    Mid-Plains Community College finished renovation of the campus building and celebrated the completion with a July dedication and open house.
    Results from the 2020 Census showed that Imperial stayed within three of the 2010 population count. The 2020 count was 2,068 compared to the 2010 count of 2,071.
    At the National FFA Convention, the Imperial FFA senior parliamentary team captured the national runner-up title.
    In December, Chase County Community Hospital and Clinics announced two new family practice doctors will begin working in March.
    Naming rights were granted to two facilities at the Chase County Fairgrounds in 2021. The exhibit building will now be known as the Nutrien Ag Solutions Event Center. The arena is now known at the ALLO arena.