NebraskaLB290109th Legislature 1st and 2nd Sessionslegislature

Change provisions relating to grant funding for a business park under the Economic Recovery Act

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Recovery grants in qualified census tracts

The state runs a Recovery Grant Program for groups based in qualified census tracts. Up to $10 million is set aside for tracts in a primary-class city, and up to $10 million for tracts outside metro and primary-class cities. The remaining funds go to tracts inside a metropolitan-class city, and unused set-asides can be moved within that city. The Division must favor metro-city neighborhoods and focus on housing, small business help, job training, and business growth. Applicants must be located in a qualified census tract and use funds to address COVID-19 harms.

More funding to build affordable homes

The law provides up to $20 million for affordable housing in qualified census tracts in a metropolitan-class city and up to $20 million in a primary-class city. Money can prepare land and build, rehab, or preserve affordable rentals and starter homes. Preparing land can include surveys, water mains and utility lines, securing or buying vacant property, environmental testing and cleanup, demolition, and related inspection and admin fees. Projects must fit eligible housing uses under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Upfront grant payments and ARPA rules

For these Division grants, the agency pays 50% of each award up front. The rest is paid monthly until the grant is fully paid or by December 31, 2026, whichever comes first. The Division can reclaim unused money or cut later payments by that amount. When it uses federal American Rescue Plan (ARPA) State Fiscal Recovery funds, grants must follow ARPA rules and Treasury guidance. When it uses state funds that follow ARPA’s intent, those grants are not bound by ARPA timing or federal reporting.

Large grant for metro business park

The state can grant up to $90 million to a nonprofit economic development group to build a business park in an inland port district of a metropolitan-class city, within or next to qualified census tracts. Innovation hubs do not qualify. Before most funds are released, the group must keep a separate bank account, attend community advisory committee meetings, show a 10-year financial plan with due diligence, hold two public meetings, and get support from the inland port authority. For at least 15 years, any lease or sale proceeds from park property must be used only for the park.

Job and money skills in QCTs

The law funds up to $6 million for a nonprofit that partners with a metropolitan-class city to run internships and crime-prevention programs in that city’s qualified census tracts. It also provides up to $1 million to a college in a metropolitan qualified tract to run a financial-literacy program for residents. These programs build job skills, safety, and money know-how in hard-hit neighborhoods.

Film grant for Chief Standing Bear

The state authorizes up to $5 million from the Nebraska Film Office Fund for a film about Chief Standing Bear. Grants must be awarded on or before June 30, 2023, and part of filming must occur in qualified census tracts inside a metropolitan-class city. The project brings spending and short-term jobs to those neighborhoods while filming.

Relief for county agricultural society

The law provides up to $5 million to a county agricultural society with facilities in a primary-class city to recoup lost revenue. The grant goes directly to the qualifying society.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Urban Affairs Committee
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 87 • No: 26

legislature vote • 5/28/2025

Final Reading

Yes: 31 • No: 18

legislature vote • 3/18/2025

Vote

Yes: 25 • No: 3 • Other: 21

legislature vote • 2/28/2025