NDED awards $1.5 M to McCook

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded $10 million to 11 recipients through the Rural Community Recovery Program (RCRP). Those recipients include a grant of $1,500,000 to the city of McCook. 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. The City of McCook has earmarked $500,000 for the Kelley Park all-inclusive playground, $400,000 for a new playground at Barnett Park, and $600,000 for amenities at the new sports complex.

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.