Economy

Basic economic activities in the area include farming, cattle and hog feeding, and wholesale and retail sales. Colfax County has previously ranked in the top 10 counties in Nebraska in swine production. The county has also previously ranked in the top 10 counties for the production of alfalfa hay and oats. Economic progress in Howells from 1980-1990 includes construction of a library, medical center, apartments for moderate-income families and an addition to the Howells bank.

In 1999 the Village of Howells won one of the 20th century projects, entitled "Flood Control Project for Howells" from the NCIP "Nebraska Community Improvement Program".

In 2000 the Village of Howells won an award for "Recycling" from NCIP (Nebraska Community Improvement Program).  They received a grant from NE Nebraska Economic Development District to evaluate our Waste Water System for Howells.

In 2001 the Village of Howells was Honored with  building "A Family Friendly Community" award by University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension.

In 2002 the Village of Howells won a Special Award for Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Improvements and Renovation of the Howells Community Park from  NCIP (Nebraska Community Improvement Program). 

From 1990-2000, new businesses in Howells included Howells Fab, Inc., which manufactures fire protection sprinkler systems; Prusa Welding, which manufactures custom livestock and farm equipment; Howells Retirement Center; Prairie Gardens Bed and Breakfast; Farmers Union, a bulk fuel storage and sales business plus a mini-mart; Shear Design, a beauty shop; Fritzinger Insurance, two medical clinics, Hegemann Electric, two minnie storage units.

From 2000-2004, new businesses in Howells is Hegemann Hardware & Electric, Howells Plumbing & Heating, Center Street Lounge, The Still, and GMG Landscaping.

From 2004-2007, new businesses in Howells are Tom's Auto Service, D&D Landscaping, Rehak Trucking, Grain Bin,The Still, Faltin Meat Market and Maliha & Associates.

From 2008-2009 a new business in Howells is Hometown Fitness and Kevin Gall Photography.

From 2009-2010 new businesses are Creekwood Chiropractic of Norfolk, Wanda's Therapeutic Massage and Simply Divine (manicures, pedicures, facials and waxing service).

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Law Enforcement/Emergency Services

The Howells Volunteer Fire Department consists of 20 active members protecting the village of and rural Howells. The Howells Rural Fire District consists of sections of Stanton, Cuming and Colfax counties. The department is a member of the Colfax County Mutual Aid Association, the Northeast Nebraska Volunteer Firefighters Association and the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association. Mutual aid agreements are in effect with all of the surrounding departments.

The Howells Volunteer Rescue Squad consists of 12 certified Emergency Medical Technicians;  12 are certified in automatic defibrillation and twelve trained first responders.

Howells has an Emergency Management Storm Team. Volunteers trained in weather spotting by the National Weather Service volunteer their time and personal vehicles during severe weather events.

The village of Howells employs one full-time police officers.

The Colfax County Sheriff's Department in Schuyler, Nebraska, 21 miles south of Howells, employs 12 sworn officers and provides protection to existing industry and businesses.

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Utilities

Electricity
Loup Power District, a wholesale power customer of Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), provides electric service to Howells and 25 other communities in Colfax, Boone, Madison, Nance and Platte counties and wholesale service to Cornhusker Public Power District which serves the rural areas. Loup Power District, Nebraska Public Power District and Cornhusker Public District are headquartered in nearby Columbus. Howells’ power source is a 115 kV substation located 19.5 miles west of the community. The present substation capacity is 18.75 MVA. The 115 kV system is tied into NPPD’s statewide electrical transmission grid. Contact Loup Public Power District, Humphrey, Nebraska, at (402) 923-1222 or e-mail loup@megavision.com.

Water
The municipal water system in Howells is supplied by two wells, which have an average depth of 230 feet. The system has a combined pumping capacity of 100,000 gallons. The average daily demand is 95,000 gallons, and the historic peak daily demand is 247,000 gallons. The system has a maximum capacity of 1,15400,000 gallons per day. Groundwater is available for industrial uses. A 25-foot well will produce approximately 600 gallons of water per minute. A new well system went on line in 1991. The quality of water in Howells does not necessitate a water treatment plant. For hookup, contact the Village Clerk at (402) 986-1666.

Sewer
Howells has municipal sanitary sewerage system and a storm sewer system. The two-cell lagoon treatment facility was built in 1966 and designed for a population of 800. The system has an average daily flow of 40,000 gallons and a historic peak daily discharge of 60,000 gallons.

Waste
Privately owned waste removal services are available in Howells. Contact the Village Clerk at (402) 986-1666.

Recycling
Howells is active in recycling newspapers, cardboard, aluminum, milk jugs, plastic bags and paper sacks.  The recycling trailer can be filled 24 hours a day.   It is located near the alley just south of the Howells Post Office.  The Village of Howells is responsible for emptying the trailer when the recycle tubs are full. A cardboard only recycling trailer is picked up by Norfolk weekly and the bin is located on north side of Bills' Food Store, on the lot just south of back of the Post Office, Howells Mini-Mart, Howells High School near the Ag Building. This money goes toward the Howells Pool Fund.

Colfax County Recycling Facility is located on West Highway 30 in Schuyler. They recycle: 1)  STEEL food cans only, rinsed out. 2) PLASTICS only #1 and #2 with no lids on milk jugs. 3) MAGAZINES. 4) NEWSPAPER.  5) PAPER such as junk mail, correspondence, and homework.  6) CARDBOARD, only corrugated cardboard. Brown Kraft Envelopes and sacks. 7) Call 402-352-3101 for Computers without the monitors will be accepted.  Items for reuse: Eye glasses, hearing aides, NI-Cad batteries, Computer disks and CD's.

Local Internet Service
Local Internet service provided by Community Internet System, 1765 26 Avenue, Columbus, NE.  Phone (402) 562-5904.  Q-West is another service provider. This service gives our community access to web sites, web browsers and e-mail.

Communication
US West Communications provides telecommunications services to the Howells area with a digital central office. Installation and maintenance personnel are located in Clarkson, six miles west of Howells.

Several Nebraska radio stations carry local news and weather to the area including: KJSK 900AM, KKOT 93.5FM, KLIR 101.1KLIR 101.1FM  and KTTT 1510AM in Columbus, KWPN 840 AM, 107.9FM in West Point, WJAG 780AM, 99USA 92.7FM, KPNO 90.9FM, KNEN 94.7FM, KXNE 89.3FM and KEXL 106.7FM in Norfolk, KHUB 1340AM and KFMT 105.5FM in Fremont and KZEN 100.3FM in Central City. Television stations that serve the Howells community include: WOWT, KETV and KMTV in Omaha and KOLN-TV in Lincoln.

The Howells Journal, the local weekly newspaper, has 900 subscribers.

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Postal

The post office in Howells has one mail receipt and one dispatch daily. Express mail, priority mail, first class, parcel post, retail items, money orders and international money orders are services provided. Package delivery services in Howells are provided by Federal Express, United Parcel Service, Pony Express and U.S. Postal Service. Contact (402) 986-1242 or (402) 986-1085.

UPS (United Parcel Service)

No service provided in our village for pickup.

Air Service

The Columbus Municipal Airport, 40 miles southwest of Howells, has one 5,500 foot paved and lighted runway with instrument approach and one 4,400 foot turf runway. An Automated Flight Service Station, located in nearby Columbus, provides aeronautical information to pilots. The Karl Stefan Memorial Airport at Norfolk, 40 miles northwest of Howells, provides air freight, air express, and passenger services. United Express Airlines serves Norfolk and the surrounding community with seven flights daily. Commercial air service is also available at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield , 80 miles southeast of Howells. Eppley Airfield is served by approximately 80 flights daily.

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Health

The Howells Medical Clinic was opened in April 1994 and is served by a family practice physician and a physician assistant that are associated with Alegent Health Clinic of Schuyler, Nebraska. The clinic is located at 121 S. 6th Street, (402) 986-1115 or (402) 352-3745.

The Howells Family Practice Medical Clinic was opened in August 2000 and is served with Board Certified physician that is associated with Dinklage Medical Clinic of West Point, Nebraska. This clinic is associated with St. Francis Memorial Hospital in West Point, NE. The clinic is located at 119 S 3rd Street, (402) 986-0830.

Howells also has an excellent blood donation program with American Red Cross. Not only does the community give blood, many volunteers work, donate food, bake, and give cash to keep this program active. Two blood drives are held each year; in August and November.

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Churches

Several churches serve the community. Traveling/you can check Mass times at www.MassTimes.org

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Housing

Four new homes have been built since 1998, two new homes built in 2000, four new homes built in 2001-2004,
two new homes built in 2005 and one new home built in 2008.
2009 there was one new home built in Howells.
Monthly house rental costs range from $375 to $500. Howells Homes, Inc. had one six-plex built in 1975 and one four-plex built in 1983 for moderate-income families. 

Camping

Five RV and camper hook ups are available within city limits. Contact the Village Clerk for more information at (402) 986-1666.

Bed & Breakfast

Self-Lock Storage units are available within city limits.  Storage unit located on a hill  
just north of the intersection of Ann Street and N. 7th Street. 
Contact Francis Baumert at (402) 986-1234.

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Day Care

Howells currently has three licensed home-based day care. Contact the Village of Howells for the names of these individuals.

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