This page includes information about economic stimulus funding administered by the City of Omaha. This page will be continually updated as more information becomes available. For more information, please see the following resources:
Recovery.gov
State of Nebraska Recovery Website
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Community Development Block Grant
Formula Allocation Omaha, NE: $1,317,713
Staff Contact: James Thele, 444-5150
Neighborhood Revitalization, Strategy Areas Infill, Housing Redevelopment
Project Scope: The acquisition, relocation, demolition, site preparation, professional services, public improvements and conveyance of property for development of new housing units in the North and South Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas. Low and Moderate income benefit is 100% - No other public or private funds
- 49 Units $1,100,000
- Program Administration $217,713
- Project Total: $1,317,713
Housing & Urban Development Homelessness Prevention Fund
Formula Allocation Omaha, NE: $2,017,088
Long-Term housing solutions for residents
Staff Contact: David Thomas, 444-5150
The Homelessness Prevention Fund will provide financial assistance and services to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless and help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized. The funds under this program are intended to target individuals and families who would be homeless but for this assistance. The funds will provide for a variety of assistance, including: short-term or medium-term rental assistance and housing relocation and stabilization services, including such activities as mediation, credit counseling, security or utility deposits, utility payments, moving cost assistance, and case management.
At least 60 percent of funds must be spent within two years; all funds must be spent within three years. Reporting requirements will be presented in the forthcoming notice.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Staff Contact: Marty Grate, 444-5220
Governor Dave Heineman and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality announced the City of Omaha will receive a portion of the State’s stimulus funds in combination with Nebraska’s existing Clean Water Revolving Fund for two projects:
Wastewater Treat Facility (WWTF) Funds
Estimated Project Cost: $7,500,000
Eligibility: 20 year loan at 2% interest for total project costs
Projects at Omaha’s Missouri River Plant (5600 S 10th Street) and Papillion Creek Plant (south of Bellevue) are proposed.
Omaha Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) funds
Estimated Project Cost: $7,500,000
Eligibility: 20 year loan at 2% interest for $3,750,000; a 20 year loan at 0% interest for $1,875,000; and a grant of $1,875,000.
Transportation, Infrastructure and Enhancement Funds
Staff Contact: Bob Stubbe, 444-5220
Douglas and Sarpy Counties received a total of $23 million for roads and infrastructure projects. The Omaha Public Works Department has worked with Metropolitan Area Planning Agency and Sarpy County to determine the allocation of the local area funds. The City of Omaha will receive approximately $14 million. Pending federal approval, the City of Omaha is pursuing the following projects:
132nd Street/Patrick Street to Emmet Street - $3.5 million
- Upgrade an existing two-lane roadway to a five-lane urban section. Storm sewers will also be installed as part of the improvements.
- This will complete the widening of 132nd Street from L Street (Hwy 275) to West Maple (Hwy 64).
West Center Street/148th to Highway 275 (Industrial Road) - $7.3 million
- Upgrade an existing two-lane roadway to a four lane divided street, from 148th Street to Highway 275(Industrial Road) on West Center Street.
- Work will also include replacement of the railroad viaduct over West Center Street at approximately 154th Street.
Major Street Resurfacing - $3 million
- Resurface major streets to restore the ride and prolong the life of the pavement.
- The locations have not yet been determined.
- This amount is almost equivalent to the amount budgeted for major street resurfacing for the entire year, and will double the street resurfacing budget for 2009.
Old Market Street Rehabilitation and Renovation - $500,000 (Total project cost $939,987).
- This project will restore settled and damaged brick in the Old Market area.
OMAHA POLICE DEPARTMENT
ARRA 2009 Justice Assistance Grant
Local Allocation
- Douglas County $1,023,759
- City of Omaha $1,535,638
- Grant Administration (City/County) $192,643
- Eligible Joint Allocation: $2,752,040
Staff Contact: Deputy Chief Dave Baker, 444-3555
The JAG Program, administered by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, allows states and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and improve the criminal justice system. The procedure for allocating JAG grants is based on a formula of population and violent crime statistics, in combination with a minimum allocation to ensure that each state and territory receives an appropriate share of funding. Sixty percent of the allocation is awarded to the state and 40 percent is set aside for units of local governments.
Proposed plans:
Electronic records management system -approximately $1 million
- This system will replace OPD’s current paper record management system.
- An online records management system will enable OPD to effectively address crime prevention and trends.
- The system will interface with other criminal justice and court systems in Douglas County.
Computer-Based Evidence/Property Management System $500,000
- Electronic evidence/property storage facilities
- Barcode evidence/property tracking system
Public Safety Training Center Radio Communications $25,638
- Radio repeater unit to allow radio signals to be sent and received from inside the Omaha Police Public Safety Training Center.
Douglas County Jail Management System $1,120,080
- Allow Douglas County to replace an obsolete and complicated machine with a state of the art technology system.
- Allow corrections staff to carry out everyday responsibilities with greater ease, enhance information sharing, access inmates with greater effectiveness and meet National Correction Standards.
WORKFORCE INVESTMENT AREA
Adult Program Allocation $705,086
Dislocated Worker Allocation $495,103
Omaha Tri-County Service Area $1,680,153
WIA Summer Youth Employment Program
The Omaha Tri-County Service Area includes Douglas, Sarpy and Washington Counties in Nebraska. Worksite locations will be made available prior to the start of the summer program.
On April 1, 2009, Mayor Mike Fahey and community partner organizations the Omaha Housing Authority, Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands, the Urban League of Nebraska and program contractor Goodwill Industries announced the details of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Summer Youth Program. The $1.6 million in funding for this program will provide approximately 480 youth ages 16-24 to have meaningful, paid summer employment for 10-15 weeks in public and non-profit organizations. The youth will go through employment training, gain important work experience and learn valuable skills that will help them find jobs in the future. The wages paid will not only provide youth with income, but the money they spend will have a positive impact on our local economy. At the end of the summer, youth will participate in a Career Seminar to learn how to prepare their resume and practice interview skills.
Estimated to serve approximately 450 youth
ages 16 to 24 in temporary summer jobs $1,344,122.40
Administration (Goodwill Industries) 336,030.60
Project Total: $1,680,153
ENERGY EFFICIENCY BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
City of Omaha Formula Allocation: $4.3 million
Staff Contact: Kristi-Wamstad Evans, 444-6731
Description of Allocation: United States Department of Energy announced the City of Omaha will receive $4.3 million under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program funded through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). The City of Omaha has until June 25, 2009 to submit proposed plans and projects for these funds.
The purpose of the EECBG Program is to assist eligible entities in creating and implementing strategies to:
- reduce fossil fuel emissions in a manner that is environmentally sustainable and, to the maximum extent practicable, maximizes benefits for local and regional communities;
- reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities; and
- improve energy efficiency in the building sector, the transportation sector, and other appropriate sectors.
City of Omaha/City of Lincoln Competitive Funding Awarded: $10 million
Program title: Retrofit Ramp-Up
Program goals:
- Establish a long-term regional marketplace for retrofitting existing buildings
- Systematically deliver a critical mass of high-quality retrofit projects in an efficient and cost-effective manner
- Perform work in a way that is sensitive to local communities and the environment
- Build a scalable, sustainable model that can be replicated in communities throughout Nebraska and the Midwest
The award amount, $10 million, requires a 1:5 leverage. This makes the project total $50 million. The leverage amount has been committed by various community partners.
The Retrofit Ramp-Up is primarily comprised of the following actions:
1) Provide energy audits and retrofits to over 3,000 residential homes in the designated Omaha-Lincoln "Green Zones"
2) Provide free energy audits to over 250 commercial/public buildings in the designated Omaha-Lincoln "Green Zones"
6/17/10 - More information coming soon.
