By: Associated Press

A national organization is getting closer to starting its services for troubled teenage boys at the former Nebraska Boys Ranch southeast of Alliance .

Teen Challenge of the Midlands executive director Dan Meinert says Teen Challenge has invested $1 million to renovate a dozen buildings on the 35 acres. The Nebraska Boys Ranch suspended its services there in March 2010 after serving troubled youths since 1965.

There are more than 200 Teen Challenge programs throughout the United States, offering a variety of services to youths and families. Meinert says 16 boys ages 13 through 18 with substance-abuse issues will be moved into the renovated facilities, where they will receive help through a Christian-centered program.