PADD Staff Successfully Completes CDBG Training and Exam

The Panhandle Area Development District is pleased to announce that staff members Amy Sapp, Regional Community Planner, and David Welanko, Grant Writing Specialist, recently returned from a weeklong Community Development Block Grant certification training course with the State of Nebraska Department of Economic Development. On Friday, 10/28/22, they were notified that they passed their exams and are not certified to administer CDBG projects.

The federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program offers funding for community and economic development projects to support additional federal, state, and private resource investment.  Communities that receive CDBG funding use the grants to provide sanitary and safe housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities.  CDBG funds are federal funds that DED receives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on an annual basis. 

Communities can apply to use those funds for planning and construction projects that:

  • Benefit low and moderate-income persons.
  • Prevent of eliminate slum or blight conditions.
  • Solve catastrophic health and safety threats.                                                                                          

PADD serves the 11 counties of the Panhandle with focus areas of business development, housing development, transportation planning, and community development.  As a community member of PADD, they can assist your community with writing and administering the grant funds for a variety of community needs.  The following grants are currently closed but will open again next year:  Downtown Revitalization, Planning, Public Works – Facilities, and Public Works – Infrastructure.  These CDBG Grants are currently open: Economic Development, Tourism Development, Youth Job Training.  Please remember that all CDBG grants must be administered by a certified administrator.

PADD currently administers close to $4,000,000 in the following CDBG grants:  Gering Economic Development, Crawford Wastewater, Sidney Tourism, Morrill/Scottsbluff Public Works. Big Springs Planning, and Lodgepole Water/Wastewater. 

We are here to help grow our own and want everyone to succeed.  If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to send Amy Sapp an email at amys@nepadd.com or call 308-436-6584.

DED Awards Community Development Block Grant Funding for Water-Wastewater Improvements

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded $1,155,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to assist three Nebraska communities in making vital improvements to their water-wastewater infrastructure.

A federal program led by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by DED on behalf of Nebraska’s non-entitlement communities, CDBG provides funding to help communities tackle a wide array of objectives that address local needs and challenges and result in an enhanced quality of life.

“Today’s CDBG awards will help three growing Nebraska communities address critical aspects of their water systems to ensure that a basic public health and safety need is met,” said DED Director Anthony L. Goins. “We continue to be proud to administer CDBG funding, because it makes such a difference in the lives of citizens around our state and enables our communities to grow.”

DED currently administers nine CDBG funding opportunities in Nebraska with the core objectives of benefitting low-to-moderate income persons, preventing or eliminating slum and blight conditions and solving catastrophic health and safety threats. These opportunities include Economic Development, Downtown Revitalization, Emergent Threat, Youth Job Training, Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation, Public Works, Planning, Water-Wastewater and Tourism Development.

Today’s recipients will supplement their CDBG awards with other funding sources, including USDA grants, to enable the repair and replacement vital water system components:

The Village of Hayes Center will receive $435,000 to address system pressure problems; the project will involve the replacement of approximately 6,000 feet of water main and 13 fire hydrants, as well as the construction of a 50,000 gallon storage tank. In addition to restoring adequate water service, the project will provide new water service connections for 112 homes and 38 commercial sites.

The Village of Edison will receive $285,000 to construct new waste stabilization ponds. The Villages’ existing mechanical plant has reached the end of its useful life, and the construction of new ponds will serve as an effective and cost-efficient measure to eliminate wastewater contamination and maintain stable conditions.

The Village of Lodgepole will receive $435,000 for a water improvement project that will eliminate arsenic concerns and ensure a sufficient residential water supply. This includes the purchase and installation of a 155,000 gallon water storage tank, new fire hydrants and valves, and new piping and other equipment.

“Our congratulations go out to all three recipients for executing on such impactful projects that will enhance the quality of life in their communities,” said Goins.

For more information about the CDBG program, including eligibility, funding descriptions, application dates and how to apply, visit https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/program/community-development-block-grant/. For questions, contact Steve Charleston at steve.charleston@nebraska.gov or 402-471-3757.

For the full article, click the following link: https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/ded-awards-community-development-block-grant-funding-for-water-wastewater-improvements/

CDBG in the Panhandle

2020 was a big year for PADD despite the ongoing pandemic. We are excited to get rolling on our region’s six awarded CDBG funded projects and as always, look forward to working with all our communities during the 2021 year. This year has already kicked off with the City of Scottsbluff receiving a $15,000 Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (CCCFF) award. Congratulations to all our awardee communities!

Happy National Community Development Week 2021!

National Community Development Week was created in 1986 to bring attention to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and has remained a crucial piece to educating Congressional Members and the community on the importance of the CDBG Program and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, their impact on the community, and the need for increased program funding. Share how CDBG and HOME has impacted your community and be sure to mention PADD!

DED Announces CDBG Planning Grant Recipients for 2020

Published on November 24, 2020

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has selected 14 communities to receive Planning grants under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for 2020. The awards total $510,985.

CDBG is a federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program administered by DED on behalf of Nebraska’s non-entitlement communities (i.e., communities other than Lincoln, Omaha, Bellevue or Grand Island). CDBG funding exists to help communities achieve local goals and address challenges, from economic development to public health and safety improvements. The primary objectives of the program — and criteria that all awarded projects must address — are to benefit low-to-moderate income persons, prevent or eliminate slum and blight conditions, or solve catastrophic health and safety threats.

DED currently administers nine CDBG funding opportunities. Planning grants are meant to help communities prepare to execute on impactful projects that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents — particularly low- and moderate-income households and/or the elderly, disabled or vulnerable.

A list of this year’s Planning recipients is found below. For more information about the CDBG program, including eligibility, funding descriptions, application dates and how to apply, visit https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/program/community-development-block-grant/. For questions, contact Steve Charleston at steve.charleston@nebraska.gov or 402-471-3757.

2020 CDBG Planning Recipients, Nebraska Non-Entitlement Communities

  • Arapahoe: $43,000 (Downtown Revitalization Study)
  • Bee: $23,100 (Storm Drainage and Flood Study)
  • Big Springs: $22,010 (Zoning and Plan Study)
  • Brownville: $53,000 (Riverfront Recreational Plan)
  • Cozad: $50,000 (Economic Development Study)
  • Craig: $22,000 (Street and Infrastructure Map Study)
  • Deshler: $27,000 (Commercial and Sidewalk Study)
  • Ewing: $30,800 (Community Strategic Plan)
  • McCool Junction: $53,000 (Comprehensive Development Plan)
  • Milford: $53,000 (Downtown Revitalization Study)
  • Mullen: $22,000 (Stormwater Drainage Study)
  • Superior: $53,000 (Recreational Master Plan)
  • Weeping Water: $36,075 (Comprehensive Development Plan)
  • Yutan: $23,000 (Downtown Revitalization Study)

Full article: https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/ded-announces-cdbg-planning-grant-recipients-for-2020/

DED Announces CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Recipients for 2020

Published on November 17, 2020

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has selected nine communities as recipients under the Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation funding opportunity of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for 2020. The awards total $4,067,000.

A federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program, administered by DED on behalf of Nebraska’s non-entitlement communities (i.e., communities other than Lincoln, Omaha, Bellevue or Grand Island), CDBG funding helps communities surmount financial obstacles to achieve local goals, from housing and economic development to public health and safety improvements.

“CDBG can help our communities obtain financing to meet their challenges and pursue opportunities head-on,” said DED Director Anthony L. Goins. “Our Department is proud to administer CDBG funding on behalf of our cities, towns and villages throughout the state.”

DED currently administers nine CDBG funding opportunities, all matched with the core objectives of benefitting low-to-moderate income persons, preventing or eliminating slum and blight conditions, or solving catastrophic health and safety threats. Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation enables communities to make substantial repairs and improvements to homes on behalf of low- and moderate-income households; ultimately, these repairs — which can range from new siding or roofing to electrical updates, energy efficient windows and everything in-between — not only impact the lives of individuals and families, but can transform the appearance and vitality of entire neighborhoods.

A list of this year’s Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation recipients is found below. For more information about the CDBG program, including eligibility, funding descriptions, application dates and how to apply, visit https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/program/community-development-block-grant/. For questions, contact Steve Charleston at steve.charleston@nebraska.gov or 402-471-3757.

2020 CDBG Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Recipients, Nebraska Non-Entitlement Communities

  • Cook: $315,000
  • Deshler: $315,000
  • Falls City: $547,000
  • Jansen: $315,000
  • Morrill: $462,500
  • Scottsbluff: $732,500
  • South Sioux City: $750,000
  • Sterling: $315,000
  • Tecumseh: $315,000

Total: $4,067,000

DED Announces CDBG Public Works Funding Recipients for 2020

Published on November 4, 2020

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has selected nine community applicants to receive funding under the Public Works opportunity of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for 2020. The awards total $3,887,848.

CDBG is a federal program provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and administered by DED on behalf of Nebraska’s non-entitlement communities (i.e., communities other than Lincoln, Omaha, Bellevue or Grand Island). CDBG provides flexible funding to help communities nationwide tackle local objectives — from housing rehabilitation, to tourism development, to public works improvements and more.

“CDBG can help our communities obtain financing to meet their challenges head-on,” said DED Director Anthony L. Goins. “It can also be a launchpad for local projects that need assistance getting off the ground. Our Department is proud to administer CDBG funding on behalf of our cities, towns and villages throughout the state.”

DED currently administers nine CDBG funding opportunities. Public Works can support a wide array of activities ranging from sewer and water system projects to fire stations and trucks, daycare and senior centers, community centers, parks and tornado shelters — and much more. What all CDBG funding opportunities in Nebraska have in common is their alignment with one or more core objectives; namely, that of benefitting low-to-moderate income persons, preventing or eliminating slum and blight conditions, or solving catastrophic health and safety threats.

DED received 16 applications for CDBG Public Works funding in 2020. Each of the selected recipients have demonstrated a solid approach to community development within their project designs, while showing that by way of collaboration, much-needed local facility and infrastructure improvements can be achieved.

A list of this year’s Public Works recipients is found below. For more information about the CDBG program, including eligibility, funding descriptions, application dates and how to apply, visit https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/program/community-development-block-grant/. For more information, contact Steve Charleston at steve.charleston@nebraska.gov or 402-471-3757.

2020 CDBG Public Works Funding Recipients, Nebraska Non-Entitlement Communities

  • Elm Creek: $435,000 (street improvements)
  • Hastings: $435,000 (sidewalks)
  • Humboldt: $435,000 (neighborhood facilities)
  • Milligan: $407,848 (street improvements)
  • Morrill: $435,000 (water/sewer improvements)
  • Peru: $435,000 (street improvements)
  • Superior: $435,000 (sidewalks)
  • Winnebago: $435,000 (street improvements)
  • Wymore: $435,000 (street improvements)

Total: $3,887,848