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Grants Awarded to SE Nebraska Communities

By John Nixon

10/05/2015

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Downtown Auburn

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has awarded nearly $2-million in Community Development Block Grant funding to 13 communities in the state to complete Phase I and II projects in the Downtown Revitalization category.

Falls City, Auburn and Brownville are among the 13 communities that will receive funds for improving infrastructure and businesses within central business districts. Beatrice and Plattsmouth are also among the 13 communities to receive funds.

Falls City and Auburn will each receive $350,000.

In Falls City the funds will be used to improve building facades and sidewalk replacement in the downtown area.

The improvements will be made along Stone Street from 16th to 17th streets and along 17th Street between Stone and Harlan streets. The improvements are expected to help promote economic growth downtown and provide better overall access to area businesses. The application guidelines will likely go to the City Council for approval in December with building owners able to pick up applications for the grant funds in late December and early January.

Auburn will use the grant money for improvements in the downtown and Courthouse Square areas. Projects include brick work, painting and roof repairs, replacement of windows and doors and façade improvements.

Both communities will have a $111,000 matching contribution requirement. This is a Phase II grant for both communities.

In Brownville a $30,000 grant will be used to develop a comprehensive downtown revitalization plan encompassing preserving the city’s historical buildings, increasing property maintenance, developing new retail stores and visitor-oriented businesses. A $6,975 matching contribution is required.

The CDBG Downtown Revitalization Grants are administered by the Department of Economic Development from the State’s annual allocation of CDBG funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.