LINCOLN — Seven Nebraska cities will share $4 million in state grants to help develop recreation and civic improvement projects in their communities.

Selected and announced by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the recipients’ awards come from the state Civic and Community Center Financing Fund, which was created from a turnback of 30% of state sales tax generated by arenas and nearby retailers.

Revenues to the fund are rebounding since the pandemic, but the amount available for rural cities and villages and tribal governments this year was less than typical for the fourth straight year, according to the DED.

“People attraction is a top priority for Nebraska, and these awards are helping communities strengthen their appeal,” DED director K.C. Belitz said in a news release. “We’re investing funds to support the development of state-of-the-art recreation.”

Belitz said the projects help create gathering places that enhance local quality of life and pride.

The fund is designed to help plan or build civic, community and recreation centers or to convert and rehabilitate historic structures.

Such grants cannot account for more than half of the project’s total cost.

This year’s awards include a $100,000 planning grant to the City of McCook for its creative district.

Other cities poised to receive funds for capital construction projects:

Beatrice, $275,000, for Creative Connections: Beatrice’s Streetscape Transformation.

Fremont, $400,000, for John C. Fremont Park Improvements.

Norfolk, $1.125 million, for Illuminate Norfolk River Point Construction Project.

North Platte, $1.03 million, for North Platte Community Recreation Complex.

Red Cloud, $562,000, for Hardwick Park Restoration Project.

Seward, $562,000, for Seward Wellness Center.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom provid-ing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/from-red-cloud-to-fremont-seven-ne-t...