Signs, Signs, Everywhere’s A Sign

When it comes to signs, Tim Marchese knows a thing or two. 

As president of Tri City Sign Company based out of Grand Island, Marchese utilized a family background in signage when he started his company in 1992.

Marchese came from a family that had been in the business since 1966. His father built the Omaha Neon Sign Company in Omaha, and Marchese started working for his father at the age of 14. He continued until he open Tri City. 

Marchese said he started Tri City after a couple other sign companies had gone under. He took over with four employees, which has grown to 75 employees at that location alone. And Marchese continues to work long hours to ensure the company continues to grow.

“It’s a 12-hour day for me every day. I go to the office at six and don’t get home until six,” Marchese said. 

Over the years, Tri City has expanded with offices in Norfolk, Valentine, Ainsworth, North Platte, Kearney and Sioux City. His staff of 260 employees, he said, are what keeps the offices and plants manned and operating.

Marchese has received numerous jobs in Knox County thanks to the Downtown Revitalization (DTR) project in Creighton. Big Red Bottle Shop, Wendy Ripp Photography and A Special Place Floral and Gift shop — just to name a few — has used Tri City to fulfill its revitalization grant funds. 

Marchese said city and businesses both benefit from having the new signage.

“We have changed over old wooden signs to be illuminated signs,” Marchese said. 

Marchese said many owners have said they have increased their volume of business simply by putting up a sign on their storefront. It is the face of their business and what customers use to find their business.

“A business without a sign is usually a sign of no business,” Marchese said.

The company continues to grow and is expanding to Kansas. As it stands currently, all manufactured signs are completed within 140,000 square foot facilities located in Grand Island.

While Creighton is nearing the completion of its revitalization, more opportunity can be found in Knox County as Wausa ramps up its own downtown revitalization thanks to a recently awarded grant.

Wausa plans to begin its Phase II business meetings next month. Tri City also has been involved in several of the Neligh DTR projects.