State Awards Nearly $1.3 Million

LINCOLN, NEB. (Dec. 3, 2008) --The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has awarded almost $1.3 million in grants to 12 municipalities for the development or improvement of civic, cultural, and convention centers.

"Projects such as these help bring visitors to our communities," said Gov. Dave Heineman. "These are important public facilities for the continued well-being of our communities."

Municipal governments receiving grants for the following projects and grant amounts include:

• $200,000 was awarded to the Gering Civic Center
• $100,000 was awarded to the Humphrey Community Building
• $300,000 was awarded to the Sumtur Amphitheater at Walnut Park in Papillion
• $300,000 was awarded to the Scenic Park East Memorial/Interpretive Center in South Sioux City
• $48,676 was awarded to the Atkinson Community Center
• $40,000 was awarded to the Creston Community Center
• $35,750 was awarded to the Bancroft Community Building
• $28,000 was awarded to the Firth Community Center
• $50,000 was awarded to the Kennard Municipal Auditorium
• $50,000 was awarded to the Carnegie Cultural Center in Randolph
• $40,000 was awarded to the Tobias Library/Museum
• $100,000 was awarded to the Tekamah Library

A municipality receiving a grant from the Fund must own the civic, cultural, or convention center for which grant assistance is sought.  The grant amount can be up to fifty percent of the cost of construction, renovation, or expansion of the center.  The maximum grant amount is also determined by the population size of a municipality.

Revenues for the grants come from the Local Civic, Cultural, and Convention Center Financing Fund.  The Nebraska Legislature created the Fund in 1999 at the same time it approved State financing assistance for the development of the Qwest Center in Omaha.

For information about the Local Civic, Cultural, and Convention Center Financing Fund, contact Tom Doering at 800-228-4307, 402-471-3784, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Patty Wood at 800-426-6505, 402-471-1559, or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it