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John “Jack” Helin
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The Grand Island Independent (The Indepenent.com, Central City, NB)
December 30, 1997
Hospital Bed Company Gets Green Light
CENTRAL CITY — The Central City Council has given the green light to a hospital bed
company looking to build a factory at the east edge of town.
Four council members present gave unanimous approval Monday night to a resolution that
committed the city to further negotiations with the SeQuin Hospital Bed Co. of Evergreen, Colo.,
and pledged about $290,000 for the project. The state Department of Economic Development
would pledge $285,000 for the project. An additional $200,000 would be sought from local
investors.
SeQuin is a startup company that would produce a rotating hospital bed designed to relieve
pressure and prevent bed sores, said Jack Helin, city administrator.
As part of the conditions of a Community Development Block Grant from the state, the company
would be required to guarantee 14 jobs over three years. Helin said company officials have
projected doubling the number of employees in that time. Wages would be $8 to $10 an hour.
Dave Gilfillan, deputy director of the Department of Economic Development's business
recruitment division, said preliminary figures show that the SeQuin product could retail at half
the cost of competitors' beds. "With three patents, they have already demonstrated a unique
product that answers the competition at a more affordable purchase price," he said.
During a public hearing, with about a dozen citizens present, Helin explained the funding for the
project. No one with the SeQuin company was present.
Three sets of investors would be involved in bringing the company to town. The first is $200,000
from local investors. "The entire deal hinges on this $200,000 being raised," Helin said. A new
investment group in Central City as well as the Merrick County Agriculture and Industrial Corp.
have expressed interest in the project. The second phase of funding would be $150,000 from the
city's sales tax proceeds in the form of a forgivable loan to the company.
The Department of Economic Development also would pledge $150,000 in a Community
Development Block Grant for the company. The city and the state have also pledged $130,000
each toward the construction of a building.
In addition, the city would pay $10,000 in utility improvements to the proposed site on the east
edge of town on Highway 30. The state would pay $5,000 in administrative and auditing
expenses.
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