LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska Examiner) — Nineteen Nebraska communities have been awarded a collective $6.18 million in community development block grant funds to help spruce up their downtowns.
The CDBG awards provide support to projects that upgrade amenities, enhance public health and safety and economic well-being, said K.C. Belitz, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, which announced the awards Monday.
“In today’s economic climate, people attraction is our top priority,” Belitz said in a media statement. “When making career decisions, working professionals increasingly consider the place right alongside the job.”
The program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the DED on behalf of “non-entitlement communities.” The entitlement cities of Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue and Grand Island administer their own CDBG program for their areas.
Awardees:
Downtown revitalization efforts (such as storefront and sidewalk improvements):
Beatrice, $435,000
Columbus, $435,000
Cozad, $435,000
Falls City, $435,000
Fremont, $435,000
Norfolk, $435,000
Sidney, $415,000
Planning efforts (includes studies of housing stock, downtown amenities):
Ansley, $39,000
Gibbon, $53,000
Ravenna, $53,00
Stamford, $53,000
Tecumseh, $53,000
Public Works (includes such things as new fire truck, park revamps, gutter work):
Lyons, $415,312
South Sioux City, $405,000
Wolbach, $430,000
Deshler, $430,000
Leshara, $367,770
Ravenna, $430,000
Wymore, $430,000
Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Cate Folsom for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com. Follow Nebraska Examiner on Facebook and Twitter.
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