First and second cycle awards account for about $3 million of $5.279 million state received for May and June 2008 storm damage

September 23, 2009 (LINCOLN, NE)—The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) today awarded $2,613,875 in federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding for four projects resulting from May and June 2008 storm damage.

DED awarded the following projects:

• Bennet received $36,000 CDBG funding in the Disaster Public Infrastructure category to conduct a comprehensive study examining its storm water drainage system. The study is expected to identify and analyze drainage issues and explore alternative repairs and improvements. It will then be used as a guide to prioritize the most immediate drainage improvement needs as well as other necessary community or economic development activities.
• Grand Island received $843,675 in the Disaster Public Infrastructure category to upgrade the capacity and quality of the sanitary sewer served by lift station 7 and the sewer main collection system. The system was overwhelmed by high ground water levels and flooding, which resulted in sewage backup into the fill station, pipes, manholes, and ultimately, citizens’ homes. Individual insurance claims from sewer backups averaged $15,000-$17,000 per clean up and repair.
• Schuyler was approved for two Disaster Recovery fund projects. The city received $868,200 for a Relief Storm Sewer Improvement project involving installation of a new 48” reinforced concrete pipe relief storm sewer along F Street from 7th to 14th Streets. The new pipe will allow for expanded storm water movement out of the city’s northeast quadrant. The city also received $866,000, that when coupled with local funding, will replace the Schuyler North Lift Station. The existing lift station in northeast Schuyler was overloaded, resulting in untreated, diluted wastewater and clean water being pumped directly into local waterways. The improved system will let the city better manage peak wet weather flows, lessen the chance of personal property damage due to wastewater backflow, and reduce the frequency of untreated water reaching local waterways.

All applications were reviewed by the 2008 CDBG Disaster Recovery team, which included representatives from DED, the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency to ensure they met compliance with national and state thresholds. If they successfully met those qualifications, they were competitively scored and ranked according to guideline criteria. For example, public infrastructure funding must be used to restore infrastructure in areas covered by the major disaster declaration. Eligible activities include debris removal, road/bridge repair, water control facility repair, repair or replacement of public buildings, and utility repair. Eligible Disaster Recovery Planning activities include flood studies, mapping, zoning/building code ordinance revisions, floodplain ordinances, drainage basin studies, infrastructure studies, and building requirements.

Disaster Recovery funding is still available. Guidelines and application material may be found on DED’s website at http://www.neded.org/content/view/877/156/. Please submit completed applications to the attention of Audrey York at the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, P.O. Box 94666, Lincoln, NE 68509-4666.

For information, contact:
Audrey York at 800-426-6505, 402-471-1532, or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Patty Wood at 800-426-6505, 402-471-1559 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it