The Nebraska Department of Economic Development is looking to narrow down over 300 applications for various Omaha revitalization projects that were submitted last year.
Department officials met with prospective applicants Tuesday afternoon in downtown Omaha to discuss new guidelines for the proposals. A set of eight categories were announced at the meeting, outlining what projects officials are looking for.
Over the course of two sessions, the Nebraska Legislature approved more than $400 million of combined federal and state dollars to go toward economic recovery projects in underserved areas of the state, primarily within North and South Omaha. Much of that funding has yet to be allocated to specific projects.
The projects were previously set to be selected by independent engineering firm Olsson, which received 367 project proposals in 2022. A follow-up bill that passed earlier this year — Legislative Bill 531 — changed that process to call on the Department of Economic Development (DED) to decide which projects would receive funding, selecting from the applications Olsson received.
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Shereece Dendy-Sanders with DED said LB 531 also required the department to create a grant program for the recovery effort, which necessitated they ask applicants to resubmit their proposals instead of selecting them from Olsson’s submissions.
The department launched a website available at opportunity.nebraska.gov/programs/recovery. Applications will be available soon, but a specific deadline has yet to be solidified.
DED will update the webpage with additional information, including a link to the online application and application open and close dates.
A few projects were already identified and received funding through LB 1024 last year, including about $26 million to be spread across projects elsewhere in Nebraska. Additionally, $20 million was allocated for affordable housing projects in Omaha, $30 million was dedicated to innovation hubs and $60 million was earmarked for a business park near the Omaha airport.
LB 531 would increase the total amount going to the business park from $60 million to $100 million. The bill also identified a handful of other projects to receive guaranteed money, including $20 million for a Malcolm X museum and another $20 million for local health centers.
The eight categories of projects DED are looking for ranges from small businesses and entrepreneurs, nonprofits, housing, youth and workforce development programs, sports and arts programs and other public space developments. Officials said Olsson’s previous recommendations will be factored into their scoring system, but it will not be a deciding factor.
Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of August 2023
Emil Stubblefield, 8, does a cartwheel while friends Eyan Carodine, 9, Roman Marshall, 10, Revelle Partee, 11, Khiry Partee, 14, and Kayden Partee, 9, play with a garden hose in a kiddie pool near Fontenelle Boulevard and Browne Street in Omaha on Monday, August 21, 2023. Omaha is in an excessive heat warning until Thursday night.
Nebraska’s Jordan Zade (37) flips to thrown in during the Nebraska vs. Creighton women’s soccer match at Creighton University in Omaha on Thursday, August 17, 2023.
Creighton’s Hannah Luke (9) gets a hug from teammate Lara Kazandjian (8) after getting an 82nd-minute tying goal in the Nebraska vs. Creighton women’s soccer match at Creighton University in Omaha on Thursday, August 17, 2023. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.
A trio of kittens at the Felius Cat Cafe at 522 S. 24th Street in Omaha on Thursday, August 17, 2023. The cafe and animal rescue is moving to a larger space at 5015 Dodge Street.
Head coach Matt Rhule talks with Luke Reimer (4) during a Nebraska football fall practice at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln on Tuesday, August 15, 2023.
Jeff Sims (7) holds the ball during a Nebraska football fall practice at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln on Tuesday, August 15, 2023.
Alejandro Tosti reacts after completing the Pinnacle Bank Championship at The Club at Indian Creek in Omaha on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023.
Zack Fischer chips out of a bunker on the 14th hole during the final round of the Pinnacle Bank Championship at The Club at Indian Creek in Omaha on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023.
Parker Coody, center, lines up his putt along with Jeremy Paul, left, and Joe Highsmith, right, on the 13th hole during the final round of the Pinnacle Bank Championship at The Club at Indian Creek in Omaha on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023.
Shaunie Cobb, 2, looks out the window of her family’s first home, part of the Habitat for Humanity of Omaha’s development Bluestem Prairie on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. Shaunie’s mother, Destiny Gunter, got the keys today.
People watch the start of the Terence Bud Crawford victory parade from the roof of The Bank apartments near 20th and Farnam Streets in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023.
Looking southeast at 13th and Farnam Streets, thousands line the streets for the Terence Bud Crawford victory parade in downtown Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023.
Anjonette McLucas adjusts her daughter’s hair during a wake for Le’Zah Lewis. About 200 family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors attended the service honoring Lewis, who was pregnant with her fifth child when she was killed by gunfire in July. Mourners shared stories and encouraged each other to cherish the time they have. Photographed at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.
From left: Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb listen to Sen.Deb Fischer, R-Neb speak at the Federal Legislative Summit at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.
From left: Nebraska freshman Bergen Reilly, Caroline Jurevicius, Laney Choboy, and Andi Jackson all react to a photo that Nebraska Director of Photography Scott Bruhn just took of them on team picture day at the Bob Devaney on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023.
Special Teams Coordinator Ed Foley watches the team during practice at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Tuesday.
Players’ silhouettes during practice at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Tuesday.
Dancers from the New Legacy Souljaz perform during the Native Omaha Days Parade in Omaha on Saturday.
Chris Beck, 5, plays Connect 4 during the Family Fun Day in Omaha on Saturday.
Father Steven Boes prepares to end the new Boys Town Education Center after the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
Father Steven Boes speaks before the ribbon cutting of the new Boys Town Education Center on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
Water shoots out of a storm drain on Saddle Creek Road near Pacific Street during a morning downpour on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023.
Heavy rains caused traffic barrels to float onto a storm drain on Saddle Creek Road north of Farnam Street on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023.
Paul Elbert, 2, of Council Bluffs, plays in the rain near a Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office vehicle during the 40th annual National Night Out get-together at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Tuesday. National Night Out is community-building event meant to promote positive relationships between police and neighbors.
Adonis Marcial Rodriguez, 20, trains with posters from Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford’s past fights hanging over him at B&B Sports Academy near 30th and Sprague Streets in Omaha on Monday. After victory in a fight on Saturday night, Omaha-native and co-founder of the gym, Crawford is the undisputed welterweight champion boxer.
Connor Raastad, 12, shows Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson (99) how to put on Connor’s corn hat during fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln on Sunday.
Kendall Reed and Cole Lange place their lanterns in the pond during the Water Lantern Festival on the Gene Leahy Mall in Omaha on Saturday.
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