If you live in or have traveled through a small Nebraska town, you’ve seen them. People shake their heads in disappointment as they drive by, calling them eyesores or wastes of space. But in developer terminology, that abandoned building, gas station, or other potentially contaminated property is referred to as a ‘brownfield.’
In many communities, the negativity that surrounds a brownfield can create opportunities for economic development. Resources exist to help with the redevelopment of these properties, and Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is helping bring workshops to Nebraska communities to learn how to utilize them better.
The free workshop “Resources for Revitalization and Redevelopment” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on June 15 in Minden, Neb., and from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on June 17 in Chadron, Neb.
Local organizations, lenders and real-estate professionals, environmental consultants, property owners, and anyone interested in learning about brownfields and financial resources for local redevelopment are invited to attend.
The workshops are presented by the Technical Assistance to Brownfields Program (TAB) at Kansas State University, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), The City of Chadron, and the Nebraska South Central Economic Development District (SCEDD). Lunch will be provided courtesy of NPPD.
Pre-registered communities will have the opportunity to share site information with a panel of experts in an open forum. The panel will provide feedback on how to address site-specific issues and develop a comprehensive strategy for redevelopment tailored to community needs. Following the panel response, other workshop attendees will have an opportunity to provide additional feedback through an open question and answer period.
A redevelopment questionnaire is available for attendees who have a current project in mind and would like some advice on next steps to take.
Register for the Minden Workshop online.
Register for the Chadron Workshop online.
These workshops are free to attend , but registration is required.