The Gering City Council Monday night authorized the city's Economic Development Application Review Committee to review and rank the proposals received for a new grocery store in the community. Proposals to place a store in the vacant 27,000 square foot former Sun mart building are to be in to city hall by 4 p.m. February 18th.

City Administrator Lane Danielzuk told KNEB News that since jobs and financing will be part of any economic development plan, it simply makes sense that any proposal to be considered by the city "would come with the committee's input." The committee is charged with reviewing applications that qualify for financing outlined in the L.B. 840 legislation, which establishes guidelines for communities to offer economic incentives to businesses providing new jobs.

Danielzuk says he is still confident there will be "multiple" proposals for the city to consider. The city in late December asked for a second round of proposals to redevelop the former Sun Mart grocery store property after the two initial offers did not meet requirements, one because it was incomplete and the other because it was received late.