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Las Menitas community group asks Lincoln County to be CDBG pass-through for cultural center project
Summary
Las Menitas Community Advocates asked Lincoln County to serve as the pass-through applicant for a CDBG tourism development grant to build a greenhouse, community center and business incubator on North Platte’s north side; county staff said they will return the item to the board next week for further consideration.
Las Menitas Community Advocates presented a three-phase neighborhood redevelopment and cultural heritage proposal and asked Lincoln County to serve as the pass-through applicant for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) tourism development award.
Addie Hernandez, founder and president of Las Menitas Community Advocates, and Mackenzie Fernandez, a project coordinator and local business owner, described the project as a staged plan to support food security, community programming and entrepreneurship on the north side of North Platte. Phase one is a 2,400-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse intended to supply local restaurants and weekly produce giveaways; phase two is a 4,000-square-foot community center for workshops and youth programs; phase three is a 6,000-square-foot business incubator with commercial bays and shared amenities for startup businesses.
Hernandez said the group has secured $150,000 to date through grants, donations, sponsorships and in-kind contributions, and is seeking additional funds and local match commitments. She asked the board to act as the required local-government pass-through for a CDBG tourism development grant; West Central and county staff explained CDBG rules require a city or county to be the applicant. Judy Clark, Lincoln County planning and zoning administrator, said the City of North Platte had already submitted a similar category grant earlier and that county pass-through would avoid competing applications and might better reflect a county-wide tourism approach.
Edward Dunn and Emma Castor of West Central Nebraska Development District told the board West Central would provide technical assistance and accept responsibility for grant reporting and administration. West Central said an administrative fee available within the CDBG award is expected to cover West Central’s costs, and Lincoln County would not be asked for a financial match; county staff said the county would act as pass-through only. Hernandez said the group hopes the county will not be asked for direct matching funds but seeks a $250,000 match commitment as part of its local fundraising plan; she said plans and grant materials would be shared with county staff.
Commissioners asked for more information about the project scope, site and budget. Hernandez identified the proposed site as a former lumber/co-op lot on the north side of Poplar Avenue and said local partners, including the owners of nearby businesses, had expressed interest in renting grow plots and supporting incubator businesses. Commissioners and West Central asked the applicants to provide updated plans and documentation; the board agreed to return the item to the agenda next week for formal discussion and possible action.
No county financial commitment or agreement was executed at the meeting. County staff and West Central instructed the applicants to share final plans and supporting documents by email; the board directed staff to place the item back on the agenda for next week's meeting so commissioners could consider the pass-through request before the CDBG application deadline on June 30.
