Nebraska DED Announces Disaster Recovery Planning Grants

      Comments Off on Nebraska DED Announces Disaster Recovery Planning Grants
Share This Article

Communities throughout Iowa and Nebraska are still trying to recover from the floods that impacted them in March. In fact, there are areas that even to this date that are still flooded. Just check out this image from the Iowa511 Facebook page. Water is still lapping at the edges of Interstate 29 in southwest Iowa while the Iowa DOT is trying to repair the beleaguered roadway.

Iowa DOT working on repairs due to flood damage

Iowa DOT working on repairs due to flood damage

However, this is also one of the most important times to make a plan for recovery. The State of Nebraska has made a move to make this recovery planning more financially affordable. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has announce an open application cycle for recovery-related grants under the Community Development Block Grand (CDBG) program in their Planning category.

The press release states:

Depending upon community needs, the CDBG Planning priority can support the preparation of strategic planning studies and feasibility analyses, including those pertaining to disaster mitigation and long-term recovery planning. Local governments, municipalities and counties may apply for assistance with disaster recovery, mitigation plans, community strategic planning, special studies and functional studies.

Proposed projects still need to meet the low- and moderate-income (LMI) requirements. The maximum grant amount for individual community applications is $40,000. Multi-jurisdictional applications are eligible for $60,000 max. Local governments must match project costs at 25% of CDBG awards.

Making a plan for recovery is important, but don’t delay, Nebraska DED will accept grant applications April 1, 2019 through June 28, 2019. That is a limited period of time.

Unfortunately Iowa does not allocate CDBG funding to planning activities. Hence, rural communities in that state will need to look towards FEMA and other funding partners for assistance.

For more information, check out the press release.