NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (DED): AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) FUNDING UPDATE
July 26, 2022 (LINCOLN, NEB.) - The State of Nebraska received $1.04 billion in Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). CSFRF provides economic relief funds to state, local, and tribal governments that were negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The Nebraska State Legislature appropriated $723 million in ARPA and state funding to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) to strengthen the Nebraska economy and create more resilient communities.
Today, we are excited to announce DED’s strategy for administering 29 innovative programs designed to include the following:
Over $110 million for recovery grants benefitting communities located in Qualified Census Tracts;
Up to $147 million for Economic Recovery Grants to focus on business development, entrepreneurship, internships, crime prevention, affordable housing, among other areas;
Up to $115 million for Coronavirus Capital Projects including multi-purpose community facilities and broadband projects;
Over $140 million in state-funded programs for housing, internship grants, and a public-private partnership facility grant to support the U.S. Strategic Command; and
Over $195 million for job training, facility building, rural workforce housing and more.
This multi-year investment in Nebraska communities begins now and runs through 2026. DED is swiftly designing program guidelines, applications, and processes necessary to administer these programs. DED plans to open applications for the first round of programs in September 2022 with additional funding opportunities continuing through fall of 2024.A majority of funds designated for the first round of applications will be awarded by December 2022, with all funding to be expended by 2026.
DED is committed to administering these programs in an efficient, effective, and transparent manner. Recurring status updates providing details on the movement of funds and upcoming activities will be periodically posted on DED’s website.
“The State is dedicated to using federal ARPA funds to strengthen Nebraska,” said Gov. Ricketts. “Our goal is to allocate available funds efficiently, fairly, and transparently for the maximum benefit of Nebraskans. Thank you to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for designing programs that are easy to use and tailored to aid communities across the Good Life.”
“DED is committed to a monthly communication cadence that will ensure our citizens are fully aware of our progress fulfilling program objectives,” said DED Director Anthony L. Goins. “This includes updates via email, social media channels, radio interviews and press conferences. We are excited about this economic development endeavor and the growth return for our state.”
To learn more about these programs and sign up for ongoing updates via email, please visit the Economic Recovery Program’s page at opportunity.nebraska.gov/programs/recovery.
