Two Phelps County Businesses Inducted into PCDC Business Hall of Fame

Two Phelps County businesses were inducted into the PCDC Business Hall of Fame at a special community awards banquet on Monday, Nov. 4, at the Holdrege Country Club.

“The event and awards are designed to recognize Phelps County people and businesses that demonstrate success, innovation, creativity, and Nebraska values,” PCDC Executive Director Ron Tillery said.

PCDC started the awards in 2017 and has typically recognized one small and one large business each year. This year, PCDC changed the award categories to the following:

• Legacy Business Award: To an established business that provides essential services over a long period of time
• Main Street Impact Award: To retail or service industry businesses that make meaningful contributions to the economy through tenure, growth, or investment
• Ag Innovation Award: To farm or farm-related operations implementing best practices
• Entrepreneurial Spirit Award: To successful but younger up and coming businesses
• Expansion Champion Award: To established businesses that are growing, expanding, or investing
• Industrial Powerhouse Award: To strong, resilient, reliable, established businesses
• Friend of Phelps County Award: To individuals or companies that are noted for leadership, generosity, community spirit in addition to success in business

The businesses honored this year were Cross Diamond Cattle Co. of Bertrand as the Ag Innovator of the Year and South Central Diesel of Holdrege as the Legacy Business Award winner.

“The PCDC Business Hall of Fame was created to celebrate the risk takers, the change agents, and community builders,” PCDC Board President Shane Westcott said at the banquet. 

“Tonight’s honorees are inducted into the PCDC Hall of Fame because of their unique contributions to the Phelps County economy.”

Cross Diamond Cattle

Cross Diamond Cattle Co. of Bertrand is owned by Scott and Kim Ford, Marlene Dahlgren, Cal and Shana Dahlgren, Bill and Martha Ford, and Corey and Meredith Cable.

Cross Diamond Cattle provides Red Angus genetics and dedicated customer service after the sale. Their company’s annual production sale in December attracts nearly 500 people to rural Bertrand.

The company’s mission is “developing cattle, crops and relationships through studied stewardship and faith in Christ.”

“I can’t think of a better place than Phelps County, Nebraska, to be able to do that,” Scott Ford said after receiving the award at the banquet.

Ford thanked all the Cross Diamond Cattle employees, who work tirelessly and take care of the resources they’ve been given. 

He thanked the company’s founders, who had the vision and courage to start Cross Diamond Cattle with him. He reflected on the recent passing of founding partner Gary Dahlgren, who died on Oct. 27 at age 82 and reminded everyone about the most important relationship that people can have … with Jesus Christ.

Ford thanked PCDC for the award on behalf of everyone at Cross Diamond Cattle.

“We feel blessed to be part of Phelps County,” he said. “We are grateful for what you guys are doing. We are humbled by this award. Thank you so very much.”

South Central Diesel

South Central Diesel was recognized as the Legacy Business of the Year. The company was founded by Jim Wiser in 1971. Now spanning three generations, the business is led by Jim’s son, Mike, with Jim’s grandson, Griffin, also part of the team, and granddaughter, Taylor, handling marketing while she is studying for a master’s degree. Jim’s wife, Ann, and daughter, Jodi, have also worked at the company over the years. 

Taylor Wiser accepted the award on her family’s behalf.

“As a third-generation family member, this award means so much to us,” Wiser said.

She shared how the business started with just her grandfather in 1971. By 1994, the business consisted of her grandfather, dad, and long-time employee Randy Kaslon. Today the business employs 16 team members and in addition to the Holdrege location, the business has an online store that serves customers from California to New York.

She said part of the business's success is about “being loyal, committed, and loving what you do.” 

She thanked PCDC for the award on behalf of her entire family at South Central Diesel.

Previous inductees into the Phelps County Business Hall of Fame are Breinig Diesel, Phelps County Community Foundation, Bridal Isle, Phelps Memorial Health Center, Lost Way Brewery, LandMark Implement, Glion Electric Scooters, Becton Dickinson, Roger Allmand, Planter Worx, Nebraskaland Aviation, and Pretty & Fabulous Boutique.

To read the full Cross Diamond Cattle story:
https://www.phelpscountyne.com/in-the-news/p/item/59892/pcdc-selected-cross-diamond-cattle-as-ag-innovator-business-of-the-year

To read the full South Central Diesel story:
https://www.phelpscountyne.com/in-the-news/p/item/59894/south-central-diesel-honored-at-pcdcs-legacy-business-of-the-year