Construction of the Nebraska State Correctional Institution at Tecumseh changed the face of the Johnson County town of 1700 residents. But officials say the changes are not dramatic.

Driving into Tecumseh on Nebraska Highway 50 from the south presents the prison's water tower as the visible first sign of the town. Then stadium style lights, buildings, and barbed wire come into view.

The prison also brought some new residents and business opportunities and growth to Tecumseh.

That's just what city and county officials hoped would happen.

Workforce and proximity to Omaha and Lincoln helped Tecumseh win the prison and 440 new jobs in competition with many other communities.

Johnson County Commissioner Scotty Guttula says the benefits of the prison are there, but overall Tecumseh today is not that much different from the Tecumseh of three years ago.

But, he says, business has increased at local restaurants, gas stations, the county hospital, and health clinics. He calls that a huge positive.