(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman announced nearly $4.5 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for projects in 29 communities. Grants were awarded to primarily small, rural communities in four categories.
   
“Investment in our communities is important to maintaining the vitality of towns of all sizes, which is an important element of statewide economic health,” Gov. Heineman said. “These grants will help remove barriers to growth or serve as a springboard for new expansion.”

Grants are administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), from the state’s annual allocation of CDBG funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The application and grant process is a partnership of DED, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Funding for public works projects totaling $2.1 million will go to the following communities:

Allen will receive $183,300 to replace sidewalks, curbs and gutters and resurface pavement along the Allen Consolidated School building. The village will provide $91,500 to complete the project.    

Cairo will receive $250,000 to replace pavement in an area south of the village limits, in addition to replacing sidewalks, improving lighting and landscaping, and updating storm sewers in a residential neighborhood adjacent to U.S. Hwy. 11. The village will provide $92,400 to complete the project.

Clarkson will receive $250,000 to build a fire station with eight bays for trucks, ambulances and an equipment truck, a dressing area, kitchen, meeting room, storage, and restrooms. The new station will replace a facility built in 1957. The city will provide matching funds totaling $350,000 to complete the project.

Decatur will receive $200,400 to renovate the local community center, originally built in 1927. Improvements include making the facility handicap accessible, installing air conditioning and energy efficient windows and doors, updating the building’s electrical system, and repairing exterior walls while also maintaining the center’s historical integrity. The village will provide $94,600 to complete the project.    

Harvard will receive $250,000 to install new concrete paving and replace sewer line along two streets that have had no major improvements performed in more than 20 years. Adams and Maple streets provide access to many of the town’s recreational facilities. The city will provide matching funds totaling $545,700 to complete the project.

Loup City will receive $250,000 to pave six blocks with concrete pavement and install curbs and gutters in high traffic areas of the city. The city will provide matching funds totaling nearly $440,000 to complete the project.

Ravenna will receive $250,000 to pave four blocks with concrete pavement while installing curbs, gutters and storm sewers. The city will provide totaling $187,100 to complete the project.

South Sioux City will receive $250,000 to make several street and drainage improvements, including replacement of deteriorated pavement, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and water mains. The city will provide matching funds totaling $352,000 to complete the project.

Talmage will receive $250,000 to implement a downtown revitalization plan that includes replacing downtown sidewalks, water mains and service lines, streets, surface drainage, and storm drains along the town’s Main Street. A loan from USDA Rural Development and investment from the village will ensure matching funds of $534,500 to complete the project.
   
Nearly $250,000 in funding to begin local planning projects will go to:

Beaver Crossing receives $10,300 for an engineering report on the village’s water system.

Brady receives $21,700 to develop a comprehensive plan and zoning regulations and conduct a housing market study.  

Broken Bow receives $25,000 to conduct a downtown improvement feasibility study.

David City receives $20,100 for a study on ways to improve city infrastructure.

Fullerton receives $25,000 to update comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances and begin a mitigation study.

Harvard receives $25,000 to conduct a blight/substandard determination study and develop a plan for redevelopment.

Loup City receives $16,500 to conduct a study of the local housing market.

Malmo receives $25,000 to develop a comprehensive plan for zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations.

Palisade receives $21,000 to develop a comprehensive plan for zoning regulations and conduct a study of blighted areas.

Ravenna receives $21,100 to conduct a study of the city’s water system.

Scribner receives $15,600 to update the local comprehensive plan.

Venango receives $13,500 to study blighted areas and the local housing market, develop a redevelopment plan and begin a pilot program for nuisance abatement.

Wynot receives $9,000 to study the village’s water system.
 
More than $900,000 in funding for water and wastewater projects will go to:

Broadwater receives $250,000 to install water purification equipment in residential homes in order to prevent arsenic from leaking into the city’s water system. USDA Rural Development has provided $250,000 in grant and loan funding to complete the project.

Mason City receives $250,000 to construct a new municipal well, pump station and high pressure distribution loop; install new water meters; and repair the local water storage tank. USDA Rural Development has provided a $693,000 loan to help complete the project.

Newman Grove receives $250,000 to expand a controlled discharge lagoon at the local wastewater facility. DEQ has provided $395,300 in grant and loan funding for the project.

Scribner receives $153,400 to update a portion of the current sewer collection system and to improve the existing wastewater treatment plant. The USDA Rural Development has provided $176,600 in grant and loan funding to complete the project.

Comprehensive revitalization funds totaling more than $1.2 million will go to:

Bellevue receives $247,100 for Phase II revitalization projects that include improvements to local storm water infrastructure. The city also will provide loan assistance to five additional owner-occupied homes and continue a housing rehabilitation program started during Phase I. The city will provide nearly $259,000 in matching funds for these projects.

Columbus receives nearly $122,000 to demolish several vacant, dilapidated homes. A local housing group plans to build single-family homes on the lots that will be available to low- and middle-income families. The city will provide $113,460 in matching funds for the project.

Fremont receives $142,900 to acquire and demolish a dilapidated home, clear the lot and deed it to Habitat for Humanity, which plans to build single-family homes for low- and moderate-income families. The city also will rehabilitate five owner-occupied units and replace sidewalks along the properties. The city will provide $151,000 in matching funds for the projects.

Grand Island receives $261,000 to acquire and demolish several vacant houses, provide housing rehabilitation assistance for homebuyers, and update streets, bridges, water, and sewer systems. The city will provide $342,100 in matching funds.

Kearney receives $153,500 to pave several blocks and sidewalks. The city will provide $141,500 in matching funds to complete the project.

Norfolk receives $145,160 to acquire and demolish several vacant and dilapidated homes. The city will provide an additional $135,000 to complete the project.

North Platte receives nearly $152,000 for infrastructure improvements that include paving streets and building structures for draining storm water in an area that will be developed to provide single-family homes for low- and middle-income families. The city will provide $191,755 in matching funds to complete the project.

For more information:

Jen Rae Hein, Gov’s Office, 402-429-4701
Ashley Cradduck, Gov’s Office, 402-471-1970
Patty Wood, DED, 800-426-6505