The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded $10 million to 11 recipients through the Rural Community Recovery Program (RCRP). The Nebraska Legislature authorized this one-time program through LB 1412 in 2023. RCRP is funded with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

All RCRP funds are being awarded to applicants with projects located in communities disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The awards will support the rehabilitation or adaptive reuse of vacant or abandoned property.

Rural communities across Nebraska have a profound need for new and improved public amenities and affordable housing. RCRP is proof of this need, as DED received 60 letters of intent to apply and 49 full applications through RCRP. Applicants requested more than $43 million for an array of well-considered projects, resulting in an especially competitive evaluation process.

Rural Community Recovery Program Awards
Recipient	Project	RCRP Award
City of Albion	Public park expansion and sidewalk updates	$1,000,000
City of Alma	Public auditorium renovations	$990,000
City of Beatrice	Public park renovations	$985,000
City of David City	Public sports complex renovations	$630,000
City of Franklin	Public park renovations	$535,000
City of McCook	Public park expansion and renovations	$1,500,000
City of North Platte	Develop properties for affordable housing construction	$1,250,000
City of Pawnee City	Public park renovations	$535,000
City of St. Paul	Public park renovations	$875,000
City of Wayne	Public park renovations	$1,370,000
Hastings Community Redevelopment Authority	Develop property for affordable housing construction	$330,000
Total		$10,000,000

More information about the Rural Community Recovery Program can be found at: https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/programs/housing/rcrp/.