The Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) wishes to congratulate the City of Wayne on their recent award of $1.37 million in Rural Community Recovery Program (RCRP) funds. The grant funding will continue the Prairie Park improvement plan, including the installation of an outdoor amphitheater, baseball fields, trail extensions, and a lakeside restroom/shower facility, while incorporating safety and accessibility features to promote equitable access to these public amenities.
Andrea Larson, NENEDD Community Planner, said, “Our Planning Department was excited to assist with writing the application for this funding opportunity, and NENEDD looks forward to continuing to work with Wayne America in their future endeavors. The Prairie Park Project will bring a safe, accessible public green space to benefit the community for generations to come.”
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded $10 million to 11 recipients through the 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.