Greensburg Episode: This is Home

Ninety-five percent of the homes and business in Greensburg were destroyed by the 2007 tornado. The five percent of homes that were only damaged are on the East side of town. Shirley Butler and her husband, Rex, live in a modest home on the East side. They feel that the members of the current city council do not represent values that they share with friend, Marvin Lawson. To them, Greensburg has spent too much money on green rebuilding and they plan to run for city council in the upcoming election.

City Administrator Steve Hewitt knows he's accountable to the entire community and that the East siders need to be listened to. But Steve's biggest problem now is that recovery funding has dried up and he is forced to lay off the city's Project Coordinator, Kim Alderfer. Even without the help he's depended on to rebuild Greensburg, Steve is committed to staying until Greensburg is completely rebuilt.

One of the projects Kim and Steve have worked on for years is finally near completion. Just outside of town, ten turbines stand 400 feet high from the base to the top of the blades. The towers will provide Greensburg with 100% renewable energy. Steve and School Superintendent, Darin Headrick, drive to the new wind farm in Steve's Chevy flex-fuel truck. The Greensburg Wind Farm is a multi-million-dollar project that didn't cost the taxpayers one dime.

While one milestone project is completed, others are just getting started. The Big Well Museum design was modified to let people walk further down into the well and, in a testament that people still care about what happens in Greensburg, a tourist who was visiting the Big Well Museum donated $10,000 to the project.

While you can see progress all over town, some families are still without homes. When Scott and Susan Reinecke's contractor filed for bankruptcy, the construction on their new home was halted. Since then, the contractor has committed to finishing the home. Susan and Scott have learned to be patient and, even though it's been a struggle, Scott believes that after 23 years of marriage, the last three since the tornado have been the best because it brought he and Susan closer together.

Another family, the Engelkens, also grew closer after the tornado. It took nearly three years, but they finally move into a new eco-friendly home. It took a long time to get their home completed because an architect started to build a test home on their property using ICF blocks. But after only part of the building was completed, the project was abandoned. Rhonda can see the empty white elephant from her new home and it reminds her of money and time she and Rick couldn't afford to waste on a half-finished structure. But, after years of living in temporary housing, their new home gives them a great sense of accomplishment.

Greensburg is getting back to normal and Levi Smith and fellow Green Bean employee, newcomer Georgia Abrams, are dating. Things are never boring when Levi's unicycle riding, accordion playing spontaneity are involved.

Though not completely rebuilt, Greensburg is already a success. The Green Bean is a gathering place for the community and is exactly what Kari Kyle had in mind when she opened the coffee shop. And, because there are jobs, young families are moving to town. City Hall is complete, the new hospital is open, a wind farm is producing 100% renewable power to Greensburg and surrounding communities, churches are open for worship, and the new school will be completed in a matter of months. Greensburg is home, again.