Cindy Gonzalez
LINCOLN — The Nebraska Department of Economic Development awarded $8.3 million in federal community development block grant funds to 18 communities across the state for downtown revitalization and other improvements.
CDBG funds come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The state DED administers the program for communities outside Lincoln, Omaha, Bellevue and Grand Island, which are big enough to administer their own CDBG programming.
“For the state to grow, it’s critically important to invest in projects that enhance the attractiveness of our communities,” said K.C. Belitz, DED director. “These initiatives elevate quality of life and strengthen our ability to recruit new residents to Nebraska.”
Belitz said in a media statement that the most recent awardees provided a solid plan for community development that included support from local businesses and residents.
The awardees were announced Friday. (A few communities received more than one grant):
Alvo, $260,000, street improvement project.
Beatrice, $480,000, residential street improvement project.
Bellwood, $480,000, sidewalk improvement project.
Bellwood, $53,000, planning grant for repairs to water lagoon system.
Crete, $480,000, road, sewer and sidewalk project.
Crete, $435,000, rehabilitation of downtown commercial storefronts.
Emerson, $435,000, façade improvement project.
Falls City, $458,000, sewer improvement project.
Filley, $312,000, residential street improvements.
Gordon, $335,000, downtown commercial rehab project.
Hastings, $435,000, business district improvements.
Hastings, $480,000, renovation of a nonprofit substance abuse health care facility.
Hastings, $335,900, fire protection for mobile home community.
Newman Grove, $43,000, community development plan.
Newman Grove, $430,000, street, sewer and sidewalk improvements.
Niobrara, $53,000, creation of a comprehensive plan.
North Platte, $440,200, road, sewer and sidewalk improvements.
Pawnee City, $480,000, street improvement project.
Red Cloud, $53,000, creation of trails system plan.
Scotia, $480,000, street improvements.
Tilden, $435,000, downtown facade and sidewalk improvements.
Wymore, $480,000, water system improvements.
York, $435,000, downtown commercial improvements.