LINCOLN, NEB. (March 20, 2007)—The cities of Sidney, Ravenna, Holdrege and Columbus have been selected to participate in the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s $2 million “New Neighborhoods” Initiative.

The Department will 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 the projects designed to recruit and retain local workforces through new planned unit development subdivisions, including mixed income housing and mixed uses (such as commercial development). The four cities’ local Economic Development Corporations are spearheading the projects.

Contacts in each of the cities are:
• Sidney—Gary Person, 308-254-3164
• Ravenna—Susan Steele, 308-452-3278
• Holdrege—Bob Rager, 308-995-8681
• Columbus—Joe Mangiamelli, 402-562-4233

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.