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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />VIII(a). AREA-REGIONAL ANALYSIS & TRENDS: <br />Logan County is located approximately 130 miles northeast of Denver Colorado. <br />The county seat of Logan County is Sterling, On the southern border are the counties of <br />Morgan, Washington and Yuma, On the West border is Weld County and to the East are <br />Phillips and Sedgwick. The Nebraska Counties of Cheyenne and Kimball border Logan <br />County to the North. Three State Highways, two U.S. Highways, and Interstate #76 <br />provide access to Logan County, Topographically, Logan County is diversified with level <br />to gently sloping cropland in the South Platte Aquifer, gently to rolling cropland in the <br />dryland farming areas, and gently sloping to rough terrain in the dryland grassland areas. <br />Ranging elevations are from 3600 feet to 4100 feet. Climatology data reflects <br />rainfall from 13 inches to 18 inches per year with the annual growing season from 140 to <br />150 days. Portions of Logan County have access to the Ogallala Aquifer however most <br />irrigation water is supplied by surface rights and irrigation wells situated within the South <br />Platte River Aquifer. As a result of the semi-arid to mild climate, continuous cropping on <br />dryland is not a common practice though some areas have had success with a two of three <br />year alternative crop rotation. Irrigation reservoirs are used in this area for recreation as <br />well as agricultural purposes. <br />The 1990 Census of Logan County reflects a population of 17,567 people with <br />nearly 2/3 of that population being located within the towns and cities of the area. The <br />total area of Logan County is nearly 1900 square miles. <br />Agriculture is the driving force for this county. Most industry and business is <br />focused on providing support for the area farmers and ranchers. The main products are <br />Corn, Wheat, Sugar Beets, Alfalfa, Cattle, & Hogs, Some small specialty crops like Millet <br />and Sunflowers are being grown in some areas, In earlier decades, Oil and Gas <br />Exploration and Oil & Gas Production played a larger role in the economics of the area. <br />In recent years, the impact of these industries has declined. <br />Railway, bus, air transportation and trucking are all available services in and out of <br />Logan County. Both primary and secondary education facilities are available as well as <br />Northeastern Junior College with an outreach program from Regis University for Bachelor <br />and Master Degrees, Included in the area are Hospital and Nursing facilities as well as <br />local radio, television, newspapers, banks, shopping centers, churches and other needed <br />facilities to make the community self sufficient. <br />Logan County utilities are provided by Public Service, REA, Kansas/Nebraska, <br />and some service from Wyoming and Nebraska on the northern most edge. Trash disposal <br />services are provided to the municipalities as well as to most of the outlying rural areas. <br />The county government is made up of three elected County Commissioners who <br />each serve for a four year term. <br />Trends: Until late 1994 and early 1995, Logan County's population had been on a decline <br />due to the reduction of profits in agriculture and the need for larger and more efficient <br />farms for economic viability. Smaller farms have become popular in today's environment <br />however, most people living on them have non-farm income. Much of the decline in <br />population was a result of the decline of the Oil and Gas industry in the area. This <br />occurred during the same time as the difficulties in agriculture. During the 1980's, many <br />farms were foreclosed due to adverse commodity prices combined with adverse weather <br />conditions and higher operating expense. Many operators continue to struggle with <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />NIENHUSER APPRAISAL <br /> <br />- 10 - <br />