Success Stories
WCNDD Writes Successful RAISE Grant to Benefit Lincoln County
Lincoln County was awarded $750,000 after a grant application written by West Central Nebraska Development District (WCNDD) was approved to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant.
The $750,000 will allow Lincoln County to explore the development of an alternate route for freight traffic associated with transload facilities and intermodal connectivity, create active transportation infrastructure, and improve existing infrastructure,
including the inland port designation of the Nebraska International Port of the Plains. This project will allow Lincoln County to conduct planning activities including feasibility and engineering studies, environmental work, cost-benefit analysis, and community engagement.
“With this successful grant we were able to execute our agency’s vision, which is to be a respected force in our region and ensure that no community is left behind on receiving state and federal funding opportunities,” said Amber Kuskie, WCNDD executive director. “WCNDD is grateful to Lincoln County and its invested stakeholders for entrusting us with this opportunity.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation received almost $13 billion in requests for the $1.8 billion available for award this year. Only 38 of the 148 grants awarded were rural planning projects. While the City of Beatrice received implementation funds, the WCNDD/Lincoln County project was the only planning grant awarded in Nebraska.
WCNDD remains committed to working closely with local stakeholders, government entities, and community members in the region to provide local economic development solutions. For further information about WCNDD and its initiatives, contact Kuskie at akuskie@west-central-nebraska.com.
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Rural Workforce Housing Fund and CCCFF Grants Awarded
WCNDD is focused on matching community goals with innovative solutions. Through listening to our communities, we are able to provide them with potential funding opportunities and programs that will support them in building their ideal future. This year WCNDD worked with the City of Imperial to identify and create the vision the community saw for itself. The community pinpointed a desire to improve their city square and also determined that the housing situation in Imperial was holding back development. WCNDD analyzed these needs and selected grants that targeted these projects. Imperial’s progressive mindset and proactive preplanning allowed for quick turnaround in aligning funding opportunities with community needs. WCNDD, in partnership with the City of Imperial, applied for and received a Rural Workforce Housing Fund grant for $1,000,000, which the community matched with $500,000 of its own funds. This $1.5 million grant will fund the construction of at least five new homes in the city, creating a domino effect that will increase movement within Imperial's housing market. Additionally, with the goal of an improved city square, WCNDD wrote a Community and Civic Financing Fund grant for a downtown renovation project. The funding opportunity was awarded to the city for $562,000 and will enable the city to host events, benefit from tourism, and maintain important public amenities. WCNDD helps communities, like Imperial, continue to write their own story for the future of their town. Through the process of identifying needs, finding opportunities, and getting projects across the finish line, WCNDD is prepared to support communities in their next chapter.
WCNDD Writes Successful CDBG Grant to Benefit the Village of Edison
The Village of Edison has been awarded $480,000 through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for the construction of a critical back-up municipal water well. As both the grant writer and administrator for this 2024 Planning and Public Works opportunity, West Central Nebraska Development District (WCNDD) is committed to ensuring these funds are efficiently utilized to strengthen Edison's water infrastructure.
The $480,000 will allow the Village of Edison to install a backup well, the current well, built in 1969 has far surpassed its expected lifespan of 30-40 years. According to Village records, the system serves 72 residential and 14 non-residential users and includes approximately 15 fire hydrants and valves throughout the distribution network. The village must ensure a reliable supply of drinking water that meets both current and future quality and quantity standards for Edison. A failing water system can pose a serious threat to public health, making it crucial to address and resolve any issues to safeguard the community.
“This project exemplifies the power of regional collaboration, connecting local communities with state resources to address essential infrastructure needs. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Village of Edison and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to bring this important project to fruition for the benefit of Edison residents” said Edward Dunn, WCNDD Executive Director.
The CDBG program provides funds to help communities plan and implement projects that enhance public health and safety, economic well-being, local vitality and quality of life. The program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Nebraska Department of Economic Development administers the CDBG program on behalf of Nebraska’s non-entitlement communities.
WCNDD remains committed to working closely with local stakeholders, government entities, and community members in the region to provide local economic development solutions. For further information about WCNDD and its initiatives, contact Dunn at
Testimonials
"West Central continues to be a tremendous partner in building and sustaining a better Imperial for all. With West Central’s partnership, Imperial has recently been awarded significant funding to renovate some of our outdoor public space into more family-friendly uses and to help solve the housing crisis so we may continue to help Imperial and the region grow."
- The City of Imperial
Awarded Grants
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (CCCFF)
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2022 Arthur County Planning Grant
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2022 Ogallala - VK Designs
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2023 Benkeleman DTR
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2023 Cozad DTR
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2024 Edison Public Works
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2023 Imperial City Square Construction Grant
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2023 Arapahoe Crystal Theatre Planning Grant
Technical Assistance Grants
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2023 NAHTF Technical Assistance
Housing Grants
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2023 Imperial Workforce Housing Fund
Scrap Tire Grants
Misc. Grants
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2021 Cozad
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2021 Frontier County
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2021 Hayes County
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2021 Palisade
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2022 Furnas County
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2022 McPherson County
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2023 Furnas County
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2023 McPherson County
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2024 Cozad
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2024 Hershey
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2025 Frontier County
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2025 Dundy County
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2020 EDA Cares
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2023 Digital Equity Planning Grant
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2023 Subrecipient of FCC ACP
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2023 USDA CFTAT
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2024 RAISE
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2024 Nebraska Recycling Grant
1983 to Present funds awarded:
$66,433,627.00
1983-2020 Grants Awarded:
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47 Housing Grants
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52 Planning Grants
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46 Public Works Grants
$61,481,758.00
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4 Tourism Grants
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35 Economic Development Grants
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37 Other Grants
for a total of
Awarded Funds