(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman announced more than $3.21 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for public works and planning projects in 21 communities and counties around the state.

“Investment in rural communities is important to the vitality of our small towns and villages and a key element in continuing to build Nebraska’s economy,” Gov. Heineman said. “These grants will help to update community infrastructure, remove barriers to growth and serve as a springboard for expansion in the years to come.”

The grants are part of the state’s annual allocation of CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and are administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. In all, 49 applicants requested CDBG funding.

Public works funds are being awarded to:

Ainsworth - $250,000 to help build an 8,200 sq. foot building to serve as the new fire and rescue station. The building will accommodate all fire and ambulance equipment and support personnel, in addition to providing space for a training area and kitchen. Ainsworth and Brown County will share operations, maintenance and responsibilities for operating the new station. Fire protection for Brown County is provided by the cities of Ainsworth and Long Pine, and Brown County Rural Fire Department. Contact: Kristi Thomburg at 402-387-4294

Crete - $267,500 to help update and align streets, water and storm sewer systems in north Crete with other connecting neighborhoods. The city will pave six blocks and install 1,000 linear feet of storm sewer and water main improvements along eight city blocks. Contact: Gary Yank at 402-826-4313

Douglas - $212,800 to replace broken and damaged pavement and make drainage improvements along a number of residential blocks. Contact: Vicki Focken at 402-799-2029

Gothenburg - $218,500 to renovate and expand the Gothenburg Senior Citizens Center. The city will add storage space and a 1,000 sq. ft. room for residents. An existing room will be redesigned to provide space to host health clinics and exercise programs. The renovation also will correct structural problems and replace the heating/cooling system. Contact: Connie Dalrymple at 308-537-3677

Lexington - $344,000 to renovate and expand the Grand Generation Center. The city will renovate kitchen facilities, redesign the parking lot to provide handicapped access, and construct a 3,000 sq. foot addition that includes meeting space, craft and exercise rooms, a storage room, and restroom facilities. Contact: Joe Pepplitsch at 308-324-2341

Petersburg - $250,000 to remodel the existing fire station to house vehicles currently parked outside due to a lack of space. The 8,000 sq. foot addition will provide room to house all fire and ambulance equipment, as well as space for support personnel. The expansion will also add a public meeting room and kitchen space, in addition to a storm shelter for use during severe weather. Contact: Jeanne Stokes at 402-386-5551

Phillips - $250,000 to pave several streets. The village will resurface the existing gravel streets with asphaltic concrete and replace existing concrete curbing and gutters. Local officials are pursuing plans to pave all streets in Phillips in the coming years. Contact: Cathie Walker at 402-886-2926

Randolph - $250,000 to construct a new library which will more than double the size of the current Carnegie Library built in 1918. The library will feature a separate children’s area, genealogy room, computer room, kitchen and large meeting room; as well as expanded space for checkout of audio/visual and reference materials, books and periodicals. Contact: Cinda Jones at 402-337-0567

St. Edward - $250,000 to build a fire hall featuring five bays for fire trucks and one ambulance bay. The building also will provide a separate conference room, training area, kitchen, and include space for the eventual location of city offices and local police. Contact: Harold Thompson at 402-678-3322

Sutherland - $250,000 to help improve the quality and safety of streets and the water system located in a residential neighborhood in the oldest part of the village. Sutherland will replace asphalt along five residential blocks, add new concrete curbing and gutters and install 2,500 linear feet of water distribution pipe. Contact: Vicki Dancer at 308-386-4721

Thurston County - $250,000 to construct a storm sewer in Macy to help divert water away from city facilities. Thurston County will add 1,280 linear feet of reinforced concrete pipe to redirect water away from several area buildings and back into Blackbird Creek. Contact: Tammy Moore at 402-385-2343

Wisner - $250,000 to help improve the quality of Wisner’s main street and the city’s water system in the downtown area. The city will replace more than 1,200 linear feet of water mains and 7,500 sq. feet of sidewalks, in addition to pavement along the main street. Contact: Barbara Rabe at 402-529-6616

Planning funds are being awarded to:

Bancroft - $16,000 to commission a comprehensive development plan and review of zoning ordinances to help the community better plan for community facilities and services, economic development and future land use. Contact: Jennifer Carlson at 402-648-3332

Bassett/Rock County - $40,000 to develop a master recreation plan for Rock County, the village of Bassett and the Rock County Historical Society. The plan will help enable local entities to better coordinate strategies for recreational improvements to local parks and county fairgrounds, as well as for historical preservation of area sites and buildings. Contact: Korla Keller at 402-684-2356

Burwell - $25,000 to facilitate a community needs assessment to update subdivision regulations and zoning ordinances, perform a housing needs assessment and undergo a blight study. Contact: Sandy Psota at 308-346-4509

Center - $7,300 to fund a comprehensive evaluation of the local water system, providing an update on the system’s overall condition and identify components that require immediate repair and replacement. Contact: Mary Ketelsen at 402-288-4210

Clarkson - $20,100 to begin a downtown improvement study that evaluates local infrastructure and recommends improvements for downtown amenities and accessibility for the disabled. Contact: Lorraine Smith at 402-892-3100

Nehawka - $19,300 to develop a water system report that assesses the village’s source water, storage, distribution, and drainage capacity, in addition to identifying components requiring immediate repair or replacement. Contact: Alene Hogue at 402-227-9923

Newman Grove - $11,400 to evaluate the area sewage treatment plant and lagoon system and prepare an engineer report recommending specific improvements. Contact: Shari Nygren at 402-447-6444

Platte Center - $12,200 to evaluate the local water system and identify components requiring immediate repair or replacement. Contact: Darlene Hassebrook at 402-246-2135

Verdigre - $16,000 to develop a comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances that help the village address future land use issues, as well as housing and commercial development. Contact: Alisha Bartling at 402-668-2621

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Aaron Sanderford, Gov’s Office, 402-471-1967
Rick Zubrod, DED Public Works Grants, 402-471-3762
Dave Miller, DED Planning Grants, 402-471-3775