VALENTINE, Neb. — A longtime Valentine business is under new ownership, and its new leadership team says their goal is to try to meet the growing demand for skilled trade services in the area.

While Ward Plumbing and Heating officially changed hands several months ago, the new owners recently held an open house to celebrate the next chapter. The business is now owned by Jeremy and Stacy Stec, Bryan and Susan Stec, Kerry and Emily Bukaske, and Trevor and Emily (Perrett) Bukaske.

“We worked with Wards a lot and decided to take on the new adventure,” said Trevor Bukaske. “It tied in nice with the electrical and building process, with Jeremy being an electrician and us being builders.”

The Bukaskes own B Squared Fine Homes in Valentine, while the Stecs operate Stec Electric.

Trevor said one of the biggest challenges is finding enough skilled workers to keep up with demand. The company is currently hiring additional HVAC and plumbing staff.

“There’s definitely a shortage of blue collar trade workers in this area,” Trevor said. “We have a team that really wants to serve the community on all of their home needs. We know there’s a huge need right now, and we are really working toward filling that need.”

The staffing challenge isn’t unique to Valentine. Across the country, skilled trades are experiencing steep labor shortages. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 80,200 openings for electricians are projected each year on average over the next decade. The nation is also expected to be short 550,000 plumbers by 2027. Meanwhile, nearly 110,000 HVAC technician positions are currently unfilled—about one in every four jobs in that field.

Despite the challenges, the new owners say they’re excited about the future of Ward Plumbing and Heating and their role in keeping local homes and businesses running smoothly.