News Articles

Trailblazer of the Year... the chamber's most prestigious award, was given to long-time businessman Travis Hiner, a Platte Valley Companies Director.  Hiner operated Hiner Farm Equipment, which expanded into three stores in Scottsbluff, Kimball and Torrington under his leadership. Hiner sold the business to Case in 1985, at which time he became very active in the community, serving on numerous boards and becoming an instrumental force in the effort to establish support through the region and in Washington for the Heartland Expressway.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) Rural Development recognized PV Mortgage Company, Scottsbluff, NE, a subsidiary of Platte Valley Companies, as being the fourth top lender in the State of Nebraska, which fostered rural homeownership in 2009.  PV Mortgage Company has been in the top five lenders for eight of the nine years receiving this award.

PV Mortgage Company provided 67 loans totaling $5.9 million in Western Nebraska.  "We are pleased to be the leader in Western Nebraska, one of the top five for the State of Nebraska, and part of this great lending program assisting rural Nebraska householders to achieve ownership," says Hod Kosman, Chairman, CEO & President of Platte Valley Companies.  PV Mortgage Company provides the loans which are guaranteed by the federal government.  The program features no down payment to eligible income households and no maximum mortgage limits.  Existing guaranteed or direct loan borrowers may refinance their home loans under the GRH loan program to obtain a possible lower interest rate.  For more information... call 635-3006 and stop in and talk to one of our lenders at PV Mortgage Company, located at 1212 Circle Dr., Scottsbluff, NE. 

Hod Kosman has combined a love of wildlife with a dying friend's wish to create a natural legacy for all Nebraskans.

His innovative Platte River Basin Environments Inc. has helped conserve about 30,000 acres of biologically unique landscapes in what's known as the Wildcat Hills of the Nebraska Panhandle. The wildlands are open to public hiking, wildlife watching, fishing and hunting.

The Scottsbluff banker's conservation leadership, along with a long record of other civic involvement, prompted the Rotary Club of Lincoln to name Kosman the 23rd Annual Nebraskan of the Year.

"This is just a tremendous honor and I'm very, very grateful," he said Tuesday afternoon during a banquet at Embassy Suites attended by 258.

Kosman, a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is president of Platte Valley Cos., a financial services firm with nine subsidiaries in Nebraska and Wyoming. His civic and community involvement has included leadership in the banking industry, education, health care and the arts.

In 1989, his friend Clive Ostenberg left a large financial gift to Ducks Unlimited and The Nature Conservancy. The groups could have used the money elsewhere, but Kosman persuaded them to join an effort to conserve land in the Wildcat Hills, where Ostenberg loved to hunt.

Platte River Basin Environments was formed as a nonprofit organization committed to using a science-based approach to identify, acquire and conserve threatened habitat. The group's first project was a 600-acre wetland.

The organization since has spent millions saving thousands of acres of land near the North Platte River and its drainages. Residential development, particularly in the form of so-called ranchettes, represents a growing threat to the scenic landscapes southwest of Scottsbluff.

The tracts also have provided public access to the North Platte River, a natural resource under tremendous demand by private buyers.

During his acceptance speech, Kosman presented a slideshow featuring the wild beauty of the region, including wildflowers, waterfowl, mule deer, elk and bighorn sheep.

And he described his beloved Wildcat Hills.

"The hills and grasslands, spring-fed canyons, wooded escarpments and spacious skies of western Nebraska."

The organization pays real estate and property taxes on the lands. And it uses cattle grazing not only as a grassland management tool, but also because it helps support the regional ag economy.

And, the group works with dozens of partners, including the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Environmental Trust.

Kosman's work has been recognized nationally, most notably in 2008, when Field & Stream Magazine named him a conservation hero.

A fellow winner of the Nebraskan of the Year honor was just one of the dignitaries on hand Tuesday to congratulate Kosman.

"Hod has done a lot of great things for a lot of people," Tom Osborne said.

Platte Valley Bank was chosen for the 4th time (Oct. '03, Oct. '05, Oct. '07, and Oct. '09) as the Star-Herald's Readers Choice Award as the "#1 FAVORITE BANK."  As for the "#1 Favorite Teller", Peggy Hessler, who is Platte Valley Bank's Assistant Cashier & Teller Operations Coordinator for NE & WY, was the recipient of the 2009 Reader's Choice Award, as she was in '07.  Peggy, it's a special honor to be chosen by your customers and friends.  Congratulations... from all of us at Platte Valley Companies. "Thank You" also to all of our customers and friends who voted for Platte Valley Bank!"

Keith Geis, President of Platte Valley Bank-Wheatland and a 1975 graduate of the University of Wyoming, was honored as an outstanding alumni during the Dean's Ag Appreciation Dinner Friday, September 25th.  He was also honored during the UW vs. University of Nebada, Las Vegas footall game Saturday, September 26th.  CONGRATULATIONS... Keith!