Gov. Heineman Awards $118,000 in CDBG Funding to Kearney Museum

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman has awarded $118,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to the City of Kearney for investments in the Nebraska Firefighters Museum and Education Center.

"Firefighters put their lives on the line for each and every Nebraskan, and it is rewarding to assist a project that will honor their lifetimes of service," Gov. Heineman said.

Officials with the Nebraska Firefighters Foundation will use $105,000 from the grant to construct part of a state-of-the-art museum. The City of Kearney will use the remaining $13,000 to cover administrative costs. The project will create three full-time positions, including an executive director, administrative assistant and maintenance supervisor. Groundbreaking is expected to occur next summer, with a projected opening in 2008.

The 20,000 sq. ft., two-building museum will depict the history of Nebraska firefighting and provide hands-on educational exhibits.

Four main components will make up the museum: its Hall of Fame will memorialize past and present firefighters; displays, photographs and memorabilia will mark the history of firefighting; the Education Center will feature interactive activities and exhibits for the general public and young people about fire prevention and firefighting; and a Memorial Garden, built on the edge of the Platte River, will honor fallen firefighters.

The museum could attract as many as 20,000 annual visitors. The Nebraska Firefighters Foundation has already raised $1.66 million from individual donors through a campaign begun in July 2005. The funding is part of the Nebraska Tourism Development Initiative (TDI) program, established in 1998 and administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED).

Qualifications for funding require the physical development of new tourism attractions or physical improvements to existing attractions. Applicants must find local contributions equaling or exceeding 50 percent of a project's total cost.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Aaron Sanderford, Gov's Office, 402-471-1967
Ashley Cradduck, Gov's Office, 402-471-1970
Tom Doering, DED, 800-426-6505, 402-471-3784