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Ainsworth council restores NCDC agreement, pushes housing redevelopment and applies for $1M grant
Summary
The council approved resuming its economic-development agreement with the North Central Development Center (NCDC) with an added council board seat, discussed LB840 housing priorities and workforce training, and authorized submission of a $1 million Rural Community Recovery Program grant for site development and infill housing.
The Ainsworth City Council voted to resume its prior economic-development services agreement with the North Central Development Center (NCDC) and added an additional city presence on the NCDC board, while separately authorizing a $1,000,000 grant application to support site development for housing.
"It's the old contract plus that — the mayor with the consent of the council shall appoint one member of the city council to serve on the board of the North Central Development Center and make a recommendation to the NCDC board for a member at-large," the mayor explained. Councilmembers said restoring the prior contract with the addition of a council-appointed seat would improve city communication with NCDC.
Councilmember Dustin urged that NCDC work prioritize demolition and site preparation to create infill housing opportunities, workforce training grants tied to employers, and targeted LB840 investments for façade and business recruitment. "I'd like to see some LB840 projects ... and $50,000 of LB840 funds — five grants of $10,000 each — help fund education for welders, electricians, nurses, dental hygienists," Dustin said, suggesting employer matching and service commitments in return.
Lisa explained the Rural Community Recovery Program gives preference to communities that previously applied to related programs and said the requested funds can support site development, demolition and rehabilitation work and can be paired with other funding. The council approved submitting a $1,000,000 application to pursue infill and redevelopment projects.
Councilmembers discussed constraints on workforce-housing construction costs under some programs and considered partnerships with private developers or rehabilitation projects to avoid creating units that are unaffordable at current interest rates. Staff will draft the NCDC contract amendment to reflect the board-seat change and prepare the grant application materials.
