LINCOLN, NEB. (February 15, 2007)—Nine of 17 community applicants have reached the second stage of consideration for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s “New Neighborhoods” Initiative. The Department will ultimately invest $1.5 million from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Funds and $500,000 from the Community Development Block Grant Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund in up to four projects that recruit and retain local workforces through new planned unit development subdivisions, including mixed income housing and mixed uses (such as commercial development). Local Economic Development Corporations will spearhead the projects.

The nine communities, along with community contacts are:

• Auburn—Contact: Dan Snyder at 402-274-5120, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

• Aurora—Contact: Mike Bair at 402-694-4043

• Columbus—Contact: Joe Mangiamelli at 402-562-4233

• Holdrege—Contact: Bob Rager at 308-995-8681

• Lexington—Contact: Joe Pepplitsch at 308-324-2341

• Norfolk—Contact: Mike Nolan at 402-844-2000

• Ord—Contact: Bethanne Kunz at 308-728-7875, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

• Ravenna—Contact: Susan Steele at 308-452-3278

• Sidney—Contact: Gary Person at 308-254-3164

The remaining eight community applicants that were considered include Beatrice, Ewing, Loup City, O’Neill, Osmond, Scribner, South Sioux City and Wayne.

A review team will visit the nine communities from February 26 through March 9, to conduct onsite visits and interviews. Each finalist community is expected to prepare a one-hour presentation that includes a tour of potential building sites for the New Neighborhoods Initiative.

Up to four communities—one per Investment Zone (northeast, southeast, central and west)—may be selected to participate in the Initiative.

The goal of the New Neighborhoods Initiative is to develop models for communities lacking all necessary components to meet the demand for workforce housing, which in turn, stalls business recruitment and expansion efforts. This Initiative includes planning, community development and housing components, and projects may be multi-phased and span several years.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Lara Huskey at 800-426-6505, 402-471-3759, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Individuals who are hearing and/or speech impaired and have a TDD, may contact the department through the Statewide Relay System by calling one of the following numbers:
711, (800) 833- 7352 (TDD), or (800) 833-0920 (voice).
The relay operator should be asked to call DED at (800) 426-6505, or (402) 471-3111.