Holt County Unemployment

Dec. 2012-3.0%

Dec. 2011-3.0%

SOURCE: Nebraska Department of Labor

Nebraska Unemployment

Dec. 2012-3.7%

Dec. 2011-4.1%

SOURCE: Nebraska Department of Labor

Holt County Net Taxable Sales 

Nov.2012-8,931,258

Nov.2011-9,296,392

Decrease of 3.9%

SOURCE: Nebraska Department of Revenue

**Does not include motor vehicle sales

Atkinson Net Taxable Sales

Nov.2012-1,586,158

Nov.2011-1,548,809

Increase of 2.4% 

SOURCE: Nebraska Department of Revenue
**Does not include motor vehicle sales

O'Neill Net
Taxable Sales

Nov.2012-6,239,609

Nov.2011-6,707,024

Decrease of 7.0% 

SOURCE: Nebraska Department of Revenue

Lodging Tax Remitted To Holt County

Dec. 2012-8,084.64

SOURCE: Nebraska Department of Revenue  

Amber (Kunc) Shane grew up on a small farm near Wilber, NE and graduated from Wilber-Clatonia High School in 2000, where she was active in 4-H and FFA.  In 2002, she graduated from Southeast Community College with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diversified Ag and Crops.  In 2004, she broke her back in a farming accident and rushed to graduate from UNL with a Bachelor's degree in Ag Business and Ag Economics.  Upon graduation she moved to Atkinson with fiance Perry Shane and began working at the Tri-County Bank in Stuart and Atkinson, until the birth of her third child in 2009.  Holt County was not new to Amber when she moved here. Growing up she would visit cousins that lived in Stuart.

Amber has owned and operated Silver Star Photography since 2008, 3 years later she moved her home studio to a one room school house located on the family farm.  Photography is a lifelong passion of Amber's that has given her the flexibility to enjoy her growing family, help on the family farm, continue her education and share her love of photography and agriculture with others.  She grows her business through word of mouth referrals and the support of local communities.  Amber is an active member of The Professional Photographers of America, The Professional Photographers of Nebraska and is the Area Coordinator for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep- a non profit organization that offers infant remembrance photography to families with a baby incompatible with life.  She has worked with Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in bereavement training for nurses and staff.  Amber has also attended the Creative Academy of Midwest Professional Photography, Mid-America Institute of Professional Photography and Kansas Professional Photographers School.

Amber and Perry married in 2005.  They have 4 boys, Oliver (6), Ian (4), Case (3), and Holt (10 months).  They live North of Atkinson on the farm where Perry works with his parents and uncles raising corn, soybeans, dairy-qualifited alfalfa, cattle, hogs, and horses.  The family enjoys Mack, and 2 year old Border collie and a brand new Bernese mountain puppy, snowmobiling, tractor pulling, and rebuilding antique tractors.  Amber also enjoys trap shooting, deer hunting and reading. 

Live music, a fun run, parade, Husker Hoops, dodgeball, and more! It must be time for the annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration in O'Neill. This year's schedule of events is packed full of activities for all ages to enjoy.

The weekend kicks off on Wednesday, March 13th with the painting of the Shamrock at 4th & Douglas at 6 PM with the O'Neill Men's Club. 

On Thursday, March 14th, listen to Irish music featuring 'Ellis Island' at the O'Neill Community Center, sponsored by the O'Neill Friends of the Library. 

Friday's activities will include a Friday Coffee at Pinnacle Bank, the Dave Merkel Show, BRAVO Dodgeball Tournament, Dueling Pianos and more.

A fun run, children's literature festival, parade, and Husker Hoops Basketball Game are just a few of the activities happening on Saturday.

To view the full entire schedule of events, visit the O'Neill Area Chamber of Commerce's website at www.oneillchamber.org.  

In an effort to better serve your small business needs, please take this short survey regarding Business Training Needs for 2013. 

Free Landscape Photography Workshop for Amateurs

Saturday, April 27th - 2 pm-5 pm

(Maximum enrollment of 10 and Weather Permitting)

Held at a Holt County Farm north of Page, Annette (Van Buren) Leu will demonstrate lighting and composition components for successful landscape photography. In this class you will learn techniques that improve your landscapes. Lighting topics include; front, back and side lighting, time of day, as well as seasons. Composition will include framing subjects and depth of field. Equipment, planning, and Black & White fine art will be also be discussed. A basic understanding of a cameras operation will be helpful. Students should bring their cameras and laptop computers (if they own one).

To enroll contact Annette at 402-380-1971 or email

Applications are currently being accepted for the upcoming Leadership Institute that begins in April 2013. Application deadline is February 28th. An application and schedule can be picked up at the Holt County Economic Development Office or downloaded at www.holtcountynebraska.com.

For the past eight years, Holt County residents have had the opportunity to participate in the Hometown Leadership Institute. The HomeTown Leadership Institute is a series of classes designed to help educate, inspire, engage and connect Holt County residents to leadership opportunities right in their own communities and county. Now entering its ninth year, the HomeTown Leadership Institute has produced 120 graduates.

The Institute is a nine-month program that will meet one full day a month. Classes rotate in different Holt County communities and typically run from 10 AM to 4 PM, one day a month.

For more information please contact the Holt County Economic Development Office at (402) 336-1504.