"Since 1995, 61 new businesses have opened 
and there have been 62 business expansions." 

In 2002, we've seen: Four $1 - $5 million building projects; Eleven new businesses; Three major expansions; Three new doctors; Three new chiropractors A community is more than streets, houses, people and businesses, it's an attitude. And that's something we're very proud of in Shelby County. The business community and civic leaders of Shelby County are committed to a strong public-private partnership that welcomes industry and retail businesses and works with our existing businesses to assure that a favorable business climate flourishes.

Development team members include:
Shelby County DevelopSource
Shelby County Chamber of Commerce
Harlan Building Corporation
Harlan Industrial Foundation
Nishnabotna Valley REC
Shelby County Board of Supervisors
Harlan City Council
Harlan Municipal Utilities
& other Shelby County Communities

There are no private sector unions in Shelby County

Winner 2002 Small Business Administration Small Business 
Persons of the Year 
Panama - Nearly 9,000 loads of dirt have been moved for Panama Transfer's 12,000 sq. ft. shop building. What was a small freight company in 1954, has tripled its employment to 150 staff, 65 tractors and 95 trailers. They also have terminals in Eldora (1998) and Richland (1998) and Sioux Falls (2001) - the addition of these three terminals allowed them to complete their plan of offering overnight delivery to 100% of Iowa.

Defiance firm nationally recognized 
Defiance - Clean Air Filter is nationally recognized for the development of its three stage filter system for tractor cabs. The filters protect drivers of cab-protected tractors from chemical spray drift, organic and inorganic dusts, pollens and molds. Now used around the world on John Deere, Case, Ford, Deutz-Allis and International tractors.

Elk Horn company has world-wide reputation 
Elk Horn - After relocating to Elk Horn in 1993, Liberty Labs, has expanded to become the world leader in antenna calibration for Fortune 500 and dozens of internationally recognized electronics firms. Their new subsidiary, World Cal, calibrates test equipment used with antennas.

Nebraska company locates in Harlan
Mid-American Agency Services (MAAS), an insurance services company based in Omaha located here with a new branch office in July 1998 with a staff of 60. They perform inspections, underwriting and actuarial services for insurance companies located throughout the U.S.

Jacobs Corp. continues its expansions

Citing a growing international demand and strong support from the community, Jacobs Corp., a leading manufacturer of replacement parts for the milling and pelleting industry -- had million dollar expansions in 1998 with the addition of a pelleting mill die line and in 1999 with a heat treatment plant.

Hearst Corp. subsidiary relocates to Harlan

A subsidiary of the Hearst Corp., Communication Data Services, opened in Harlan in 1980 with 12 employees and after three expansions and assistance from the Harlan Building Corp., it now occupies a 54,000 sq. ft. building in the Harlan Industrial Park with over 300 employees.

California company relocates to Harlan

A subsidiary of the French Corp. Delachaux, Conductix, relocated to Harlan in 1991 from San Francisco because of the teamwork, manpower and land coordinated into one package by the Harlan business community.

Conductix continues to expand and announced in the summer of 1999 a 10,000 sq. ft. addition to its current 80,000 sq. ft. facility. It currently employs over 90 persons.

Manufacturer chooses Harlan for facility

Doran Manufacturing, a manufacturing of wear parts for the industrial grinding industry, has chosen to construct a new 17,800 facility in the Western Ventures Industrial Park. The firm plans to hire 10 full-time employees and completed its new facility in the fall of 1999.

Nebraska company relocates to Harlan

C I Direct, Lincoln, relocated to new facilities in Harlan in July 1999. They support inbound insurance telesales for several nationally recognized insurance companies and employs over 130, many of which are licensed property, casualty, life and health insurance agents.