Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Vernita Dore and USDA Rural Development State Director Maxine Moul visited Paxton Grocery & Meats, LLC (DBA Hehnke’s Grocery Store) today in Paxton, Nebraska to see first-hand the substantial energy efficiency improvements made possible by funding from the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Paxton Grocery & Meats, LLC recently received a $49,999 REAP grant.
"This REAP funding will help the storeowners save on energy costs and those savings can be reinvested into the business to further its success,” said Dore. “USDA is committed to increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy in America.”
Energy efficiency improvements made at the grocery store included replacing freezers/coolers, upgrading the heating ventilating and air conditioning system, and adding insulation in the ceiling and the installation of acoustical ceiling. Energy savings are projected to be 41 percent annually.
In federal fiscal year 2015, USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program delivered funds to 70 Nebraska projects for $1,806,905 for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
In September, the Paxton store was awarded the “Visionary Award” from Affiliated Foods. The Visionary Award is given to stores which invest in bettering themselves, and more importantly, investing in their communities. The Award is worded, “Advancing as ONE. Investing For Your Future.”
Hehnke’s grocery store at Paxton celebrated its 95th anniversary this year. Recently, the grocery store was purchased by a group of local investors. Per the Keith County News article during the store’s Grand Re-Opening in October, according to Howard White, who represents Pony Express Holdings on the initial managing board of investors, the group first began to discuss the idea of purchasing the business in the fall of 2014. Renovation began in March 2015 and was completed in September. Since then the store has received a number of upgrades to help it maintain its competitive edge. Even though the ownership of the long-standing grocery store has changed, it still operates under the family name of Hehnke’s.
Since the upgrades, sales have increased by10 percent in most departments because of the expansion of inventory, and new and improved cooling/freezing equipment resulting in increased sales in the produce, dairy and frozen departments. The average KWH usage (electric utilities) has decreased from 18,730 to 16,940, about nine percent.
Store manager Robert Beckius joined the Paxton grocery store as the general manager, allowing Mark Hehnke to transition to being the head of the meat department. Beckius came to Hehnke’s with more than 25 years of grocery store experience.
The change of ownership allowed Hehnke to transition into doing what he loves in the store’s meat department. It also allowed the town to maintain a quality grocery store. The decision to sell the business came, at least in part, because of the increasing competition from other grocery stores in neighboring towns.
Hehnke’s grocery store was founded in 1920 by Mark’s grandparents, the late C. Hugo and Bertha Hehnke. As the third generation store owner/operator, in 1997, Mark Hehnke expanded to the north of the present-day facility, giving more room to the popular Hehnke meat counter. Hehnke’s has made a name for itself providing quality meat for many restaurants, families and special occasions. Meat from Hehnke’s has been enjoyed literally around the United States. Hehnke’s uses Top Grade meats and a special aging process that produces the finest cuts of meat. Just like in the first days of the original store, customer orders are still at times filled by a phone call or list and then delivered.
For more information contact Marla Marx at 308-632-2195 ext.132 or marla.marx@ne.usda.gov. Visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs for information on all of Rural Development’s programs.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.