Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman recently awarded more than $1.38 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to seven communities undertaking housing and infrastructure revitalization projects. The CDBG funding was allocated through the new comprehensive revitalization category, designed to provide more flexibility for projects that enhance neighborhoods with concentrations of low-income residents. Federal grant funds are administered through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
Eight communities with populations ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 were invited to participate in the community revitalization grant process last year. Seven communities completed the application process and received $8,000 in CDBG funding to conduct a needs assessment and develop a revitalization strategy, creating an action plan that targets the housing and public works needs of low-income persons.
The following represent the first set of projects receiving funding for 2006-2008:
The city of Bellevue will use more than $280,000 in CDBG funding to install sidewalks, improve drainage along several streets and rehabilitate owner-occupied housing. The city will provide $323,500 in leveraged funds.
The city of Columbus will use $138,400 in CDBG funding to pave streets and make sanitary sewer improvements. The city will provide $128,700 in leveraged funds.
Fremont will receive $160,500 in CDBG funding to purchase and clear two vacant properties and rehabilitate five owner-occupied homes in the south-central part of town. The city will apply $151,000 in leveraged funds toward improving streets and replacing water mains. Habitat for Humanity will provide additional assistance to build single-family homes on the cleared properties.
Grand Island will use more than $296,000 in CDBG funding to rehabilitate as many as 10 homes in the historic downtown district. The city will provide more than $245,000 in leveraged funds for street paving, fire hydrants, down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, and improvements to the senior center.
The city of Kearney will invest more than $174,000 in CDBG funding to pave a street and parking area near a neighborhood park and install sidewalks in the city’s target area. The city’s $162,145 in leveraged funds will help support the project.
Norfolk will use $164,700 in CDBG funding to purchase and clear five vacant, dilapidated properties in the south-central part of town. The city will invest $153,200 in leveraged funds for street, water and sewer improvements, as well as owner-occupied housing rehabilitation. Elkhorn Valley Community Development Corp. and Habitat for Humanity will provide additional assistance.
North Platte will receive more than $172,000 in CDBG funding to pave a block of donated land in the city’s northwest district, which will be developed for single-family homes. The city will provide more than $181,000 in leveraged funds to pave additional streets in the area. The Lincoln County Community Development Corp. will provide additional assistance to relocate single-family homes to the property.
Means the article is accessible only to our magazine subscribers.
