(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman today announced grants totaling more than $1.4 million in to assist 16 Nebraska communities. Five communities will receive grants to repair or update existing water and waste water systems. Eleven planning grants are being awarded to assist other communities in planning for future local development.

"Investment in the infrastructure of our rural communities is important not only to the vitality of these communities, but to the overall economic health of our state," Gov. Heineman said. "These grants will help to remove barriers to growth and serve as a springboard for expansion."

The funding will assist communities with repairs to streets and sidewalks, provide more reliable water/sewer service and assist with future planning efforts, paving the way for future economic and community growth and development.

These grants are part of Nebraska's annual allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funds are administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED). The application and approval process for water grants is a collaborative effort involving: DED, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and Nebraska Health and Human Services (HHSS).

The following communities are receiving water and waste water grants:

Bancroft, located in Cuming County, will use $250,000 in grant funding to construct a new water supply well, replace nine blocks of water distribution main, and repair a water storage tank. Bancroft has three groundwater wells providing quality water, but two of them have experienced mechanical problems, forcing the community to rely solely on the main well. The village's water supply was evaluated for reliability and it was determined that the standby well built in 1956 does not offer sufficient capacity on its own to meet the average daily demand. The second standby well, built in 1931, will be replaced as a remedy.

Elba, located 30 miles northwest of Grand Island, will use a $250,000 grant to construct a new well and a 50,000-gallon storage tank, as well as install 7,500 ft. of water mains and meters. The current system is not metered and experiencing high annual water consumption. Installation of service meters is expected to reduce the amount of water used.

Garland, located in northeast Seward County, will use $250,000 in CDBG funding to construct a new controlled discharge waste water treatment lagoon and collection mains. Built in 1962, Garland's existing system operates by gravity thereby requiring no pumping stations. The new system will include two new lagoon cells, reconstruction of three existing lagoon cells into a third cell, and replacement of 3,500 linear feet of collection mains.

Rising City, located in Butler County, will use a $250,000 grant to fund construction of two new 3-acre lagoon cells equipped with lift station, force main, discharge piping, outfall piping, interconnecting piping, controls, fencing, and electricity, among other required features. Currently, the village has a separate sanitary sewer system, two lift stations, and a two-cell lagoon waste water treatment facility built in 1962.

Stamford, located in Harlan County, will use the final $250,000 water grant to build a retention waste stabilization lagoon system. The village's existing two-cell waste water treatment facility, built in 1970, covers approximately two acres of water surface. In recent years, the lack of capacity at the existing waste stabilization ponds has resulted in excessive water levels in and over the ponds' design, causing extensive damage to the system.

The following 11 communities are receiving planning grants:

Arnold--$25,000 to undertake a sewer system televising and planning project.

Blair--$25,000 to conduct storm sewer, drainage, and waterway system study

Douglas--$8,550 to prepare a comprehensive development plan and zoning regulations.

Grand Island--$40,000 to conduct a homelessness and homeless housing needs study.

Henry--$12,500 to prepare a comprehensive development plan and zoning regulations.

Nemaha County--$16,000 to conduct a housing market study.

North Platte--$20,750 to develop a neighborhood and redevelopment plan.

Pawnee City--$25,000 to prepare a comprehensive plan and conduct a housing study.

Peru--$24,000 to conduct a feasibility study of its central business district.

Wayne--$21,000 to develop a comprehensive plan.

Wolbach--$3,300 to map the village's water and sewer systems.

CONTACT
Terri Teuber, Governor's Office, 402-471-1967
Steve Charleston, DED Planning Grants, 402-471-3757
Rick Zubrod, NE Water-Wastewater Advisory Committee, 402-471-3762