LINCOLN – In her latest legislative column, State Sen. Julie Slama informs District 1 residents of the application period for state American Rescue Plan Act funds for the purpose of small business development, broadband and wastewater treatment for meat processing.

Applications are also being taken for nuclear plant location studies, tourism and housing.

 Here is the senator's column.

Economic Recovery Initiatives

This week’s column will cover the popular question: where is the ARPA money going? The answer, hopefully, is to several economic development projects in District 1. I believe excessive government spending is one of the top issues facing our country, but these funds don’t receive applications from District 1, it will be going somewhere else instead, Please apply if you are interested and eligible. 


The State of Nebraska received over $1 billion in Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These funds provide economic relief funds to state, local, and tribal governments that were impacted by the pandemic. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development announced it will open applications for the first round of programs this month, with additional funding opportunities continuing through the fall of 2024.


The Department of Economic Development will distribute a large portion of the funds for things such as business development, entrepreneurship, affordable housing, start-up businesses and more. The intention of these funds is to help strengthen Nebraska and allocate available funds efficiently to reach the maximum benefit to Nebraskans. 



ARPA-Funded Grant Programs

Nebraska Innovation Hub Act and the Small Business Assistance Act

The Nebraska Innovation Hub Act is designed to aid in economic growth by supporting successful technology- and innovation-driven startups and small businesses throughout Nebraska.

The Small Business Assistance Act provides grants of up to $25,000 to individuals looking to start a small business, or grants of up to $12,500 to individuals who own a small business that has been in existence for no more than five years. 

Total Available Funds: $30M

Application Open Date (Estimated): November 2022

 

Award Date (Estimated): July 2023

Nebraska Capital Projects Fund

The updated Capital Projects Fund plan has allocated $80M for broadband projects.

For more information: https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/lb-1024-capital-projects-fund-application-announcement/

Total Available Funds: $128M

Application Open Date (Estimated): October 2022

Award Date (Estimated): November 2022

 

Nebraska Meat Processing Wastewater Pretreatment and Runoff Control Program

Wastewater Treatment for Meat Processing: $20 million in ARPA funding will support wastewater pretreatment and runoff control for meat processing plant site development.

Total Available Funds: $20M

Application Open Date (Estimated): September 2022

Award Date (Estimated): October 2022

 

Nuclear Plant Siting Feasibility Study Program

 

$1 million in ARPA funding will be distributed to a political subdivision that owns or operates a nuclear power plant in Nebraska; the funds will be used to conduct a feasibility study to assess sitting options for advanced nuclear reactors and existing electric generation facilities based on key compatibility assets for such advanced nuclear reactors.

 

Total Available Funds: $1M

Application Open Date (Estimated): September 2022

Award Date (Estimated): October 2022

 

Nebraska International Event Sponsorship Fund

$500,000 in ARPA funding will supply major sponsorship grants for international competitions to be hosted in Nebraska that are recognized by an international governing body.

Total Available Funds: $0.5M

Application Open Date (Estimated): September 2022

Award Date (Estimated): September 2022

 

Rural Workforce Housing Land Development Program

$10 million in ARPA funding will support grants to prepare land parcels pursuant to the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act (LB1070); this will support the state’s ability to grow the rural housing stock.

Total Available Funds: $10M

Application Open Date (Estimated): October 2022

Award Date (Estimated): December 2022

 

Economic Development Administration & Tourism

Not less than $3 million for eligible grantees in qualified census tracts in each Congressional District for qualified projects under the American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation program.

EDA funding will be divided among eligible projects in Omaha, Lincoln, and the rest of the State.

Total Available Funds: $3M

Application Open Date (Estimated): October 2022

Award Date (Estimated): December 2022

 

NIFA LIHTC Pandemic Relief Program

Affordable housing units eligible for federal four and nine percent low-income tax credit programs.

Total Available Funds: $20.5M

Application Open Date (Estimated): Not applicable

Award Date (Estimated): August 2022