The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has announced the latest recipients under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program’s Downtown Revitalization funding opportunity.
Three communities in the NPPD service area have been selected to receive a portion of the $2,175,000 available for award.
A federal Department of Housing and Urban Development program administered by DED on behalf of the State of Nebraska, CDBG helps communities tackle an array of projects that enhance local well-being and quality of life.
Projects supported under the DTR opportunity are designed to spark economic vitality and address national program objectives — such as preventing or eliminating slum and blight conditions and benefitting vulnerable groups like the elderly, persons with disabilities and persons of low-to-moderate income.
“Downtown revitalization can have an incredible impact in a community — one much greater than the sum of its parts,” said DED Director Anthony L. Goins. “We congratulate each of these recipients, while commending their dedication to the kind of vibrant place-making that encourages the attraction and retention of businesses and resident alike.”
The City of Arapahoe ($435,000) will implement a sidewalk improvement project that involves four blocks of replacement and the construction of several key safety/ADA accessibility features, including crosswalks, bump-outs and detectable warning panels. The City of Arapahoe is a wholesale customer of NPPD.
The City of Seward ($435,000) will continue a revitalization plan that is addressing slum and blight conditions within the historic downtown district. Planned activities include commercial façade improvements and repairs related to code, infrastructure and ADA accessibility. The City of Seward is a electric wholesale customer of NPPD.
The City of York ($435,000) will implement a commercial rehabilitation project within the downtown district. Activities will include façade improvements such as window replacement, brick/masonry repairs and exterior structural repairs. York is served electrically by Nebraska Public Power District’s retail division.