ENDICOTT, NE — Jefferson County’s largest employer will get a new road and entrance thanks to a federal grant.

The U.S Department of Commerce announced this week that it awarded a $2.6 million grant to Jefferson County to improve access to Endicott Clay Products.  The Nebraska Department of Transportation previously committed $350,000 to the project. Jefferson County and Endicott are splitting the remaining approximately $300,000.

County Commissioner Mark Schoenrock says the current access road is in a floodplain, which makes any improvements too expensive. Instead, they’re working on a new entrance coming from the west that connects to Highway 15.

The road project is expected to lead to the creation of 30 new jobs and nearly $30 million in private investment.

Endicott Clay Products is about eight miles southeast of Fairbury and employs more than 300 people. It makes architectural bricks that are used in specialty buildings like churches, university buildings and event venues.

Quotes from dignitaries:

“I am pleased that Jefferson County has received this federal grant,” said Senator Deb Fischer. “This investment in the county’s roadways will help protect our businesses from the impact of future flooding. It will make the community more resilient and help attract more businesses to the area.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support Jefferson County’s strategy to protect its businesses from flooding and encourage additional business growth,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “This project will establish nearly three miles of new roadway outside of the floodplain to serve the needs of a major clay products manufacturing firm and to attract other businesses looking to locate in the county.”

“The Trump Administration is committed to helping disaster-impacted communities build the modern infrastructure they need to keep commerce moving and workers working,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “This EDA investment will move a critical roadway out of the floodplain to support the expansion plans of a major local manufacturing business and encourage future business growth.”