American Rescue Plan Act funds

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City council approves $4.5 million in federal ARPA funds for 46 Omaha Hotels



City council approves $4.5 million in federal ARPA funds for 46 Omaha Hotels

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Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert announces ARPA funding distribution



KETV NewsWatch 7

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert announced Tuesday the next focuses of the city's funding from the American Recovery Plan Act.

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Public spaces, city employees and affordable housing
targeted for Omaha ARPA spending

The City of Omaha’s full-time employees, minus elected officials, are to get a $3,000 boost this year in their paychecks. Nearly 15 city parks, pools and other public spaces are to be spiffed up. And a new housing manager is to be hired to oversee the growing amount of affordable housing yet to be created with a recent influx of public and private dollars. Those are some of the ways Omaha plans to spend its latest allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds, Mayor Jean Stothert announced Tuesday.

The COVID-related federal act put $112,591,455 into the city’s coffers. An earlier infusion came in May 2021; the other $56 million came this month. Stothert held a news conference to lay out spending plans for the second half that are to be forwarded to the City Council for review and approval. “The primary use of ARPA funds is for local governments to replace revenue losses though 2023,” said Stothert, adding that about $31 million will go for that purpose. However, she said, the ARPA funds also can be used to support community programs, respond to pandemic impacts and promote economic recovery. “The programs we have created and funded are especially important and will have communitywide benefits,” Stothert said.

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Omaha Puts COVID-19 Relief toward
Potential $60 Million Affordable Housing Fund

The City of Omaha announced its second distribution of the $112,591,455 it received in federal pandemic relief money Tuesday afternoon with much of it going toward addressing the city’s affordable housing crisis.

The city’s $20 million distribution of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money was matched by $20 million in philanthropic donations. The city has also applied for another $20 million from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The money will serve households earning earning less than 120% of area median income and prioritize people below 80% of the economic measure, according to a city press release.

Plans for the funds include:

-Short-term loans and grants to increase affordable and mixed-income housing by developing a variety of for-sale and rental affordable housing options across the city;
-Acquisition, site remediation and preparation, and pre-development of properties for affordable housing projects;
-Homebuyer support including down payment assistance;
-Preservation of existing affordable housing units.

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How Mayor Stothert wants Omaha to spend ARPA dollars on homelessness



KETV NewsWatch 7

The mayor's office is developing a homeless services coordinator to lead the city's approach to provide services for people experiencing homelessness.

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Here are the 36 nonprofits receiving ARPA funds from the city of Omaha

The city of Omaha announced Wednesday that 36 nonprofits are receiving funding from the ARPA Community Grant Program. The city chose the United Way of the Midlands and the Omaha Community Foundation to help dole out the funding to nonprofits. Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert said the nonprofits that were chosen were ones that will help those who suffered during the pandemic. "United Way and Omaha Community Foundation received 244 applications for funding. They have selected agencies that will expand or enhance the existing programs that address the impacts of COVID-19," Stothert said. The program awarded $9.6 million, which will be distributed from 2022 to 2024.

100 Black Men of Omaha
AIM Institute
African-American Empowerment Network
Bluebird Cultural Initiative
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands
Carole's House of Hope
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Omaha, Inc.
Charles Drew Health Center, Inc. (CDHC)
Child Saving Institute
Completely KIDS
Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim: Reinforcing our Roots, Living our Maya Heritage
Girls Incorporated Of Omaha
Heart Ministry Center
Heartland Family Service (HFS)
Heartland Workforce
Immigrant Legal Center
Kids Can Community Center
Latino Center of the Midlands
Legal Aid of Nebraska
MENTOR Nebraska
Nebraska Methodist Hospital
North Omaha Area Health
NorthStar Foundation
Ollie Webb Center, Inc.
Omaha Home for Boys
Partnership 4 Kid
Police Athletics for Community Engagement
Siena Francis House
The Bike Union Mentoring Project
The Hope Center for Kids
The Nebraska Medical Center
The Simple Foundation (TSF)
Urban League of Nebraska
Women's Center for Advancement
YouTurn
inCOMMON Community Development

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Nonprofits receiving ARPA funds from city of Omaha



KETV NewsWatch 7

The city of Omaha announced Wednesday that 36 nonprofits are receiving funding from the ARPA Community Grant Program.

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Today I learned that Nebraska Methodist Hospital is a nonprofit organization. I would guess the money they win will go towards the losses they incurred from covid patients that were uninsured.

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Interesting that lots of social agencies got money, but Children's and CHI were blanked as were the inpatient psych facilities.

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Omaha restaurants will be able to apply for ARPA funds



KETV NewsWatch 7

Omaha restaurants impacted by the pandemic will now be able to apply for assistance from the American Rescue Plan Act.

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Tony Vargas in north, south Omaha talking economic recovery efforts
Alongside Steny Hoyer, the two politicians met with members of the communities to discuss the $1.2 billion the state received in ARPA funds.

Majority leader Steny Hoyer joined state Sen. Tony Vargas today to highlight economic recovery efforts in north and south Omaha. The two politicians met with members of the communities to discuss the $1.2 billion the state received in ARPA funds. They focused on how those funds will impact the area once they are released — the two communities are set to receive $400 million. The funds will be used for things like workforce development and affordable housing.

"You're investing back in the types of jobs that are going to help our communities. We need to really tackle inflation. We heard the need to address and invest in housing and affordable housing and workforce housing. We heard the need to make sure that we're making it easier for people to find this type of work," Vargas said. Vargas is running against incumbent Don Bacon for the Nebraska second congressional district seat in November.

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Public hearings set to explore north, south Omaha ARPA allocations
Members of the public can testify at these hearings, and learn how to formally submit ideas for possible uses of the Economic Recovery Act funds.

Nebraska State Sen. Justin Wayne has announced the public hearing schedule for his committee's exploration of the American Rescue Plan Act fund uses. Wayne is the chairperson of the Economic Recovery Special Committee of the Legislature. They're partnering with Omaha-based company Olsson, Inc. to study best potential uses of federal ARPA funds in north and south Omaha. The Economic Recovery Act was enacted after LB 1024 was passed in the legislature earlier this year, providing $250 million of the $335 million helping north and south Omaha, and other communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A portion of these funds were allocated to specific projects, but a majority of the funds go toward the Qualified Census Tract Recovery Grant Program — also overseen by the Economic Recovery Special Committee of the Legislature. The week of Sept. 19, this committee is holding joint hearings and public information sessions with Olsson, Inc. to explore uses for the funds in north and south Omaha. Members of the public can testify at these hearings, and learn how to formally submit ideas for possible uses of the Economic Recovery Act funds.

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A $2.9 million gift is jaw-dropper for Urban League president
The nonprofit is the latest Omaha beneficiary of MacKenzie Scott’s ‘Giving Pledge’

When Wayne Brown got the $2.9 million phone call a few weeks ago, you might say he was a bit floored. “My jaw was on the ground,” said the relatively new chief executive of the Urban League of Nebraska. “I mean, this doesn’t happen. It just doesn’t happen, right?” Neither he nor his staff had applied for such a gift. It is the largest single contribution in the nonprofit’s 90-year history, and about the size of its annual budget. Initially, Brown thought the whole thing was a prank.

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Urban League of Nebraska receives $2.9 million gift from billionaire philanthropist

The Urban League of Nebraska plans to expand its school-based and young adult work programs with the largest single donation in its 90-year history, $2.9 million from philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott.

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Omaha bars hoping for COVID assistance money

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64 eateries receive grant money from Restaurant Assistance Program

64 eateries receive grant money from Restaurant Assistance Program

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Lengthy list of South and North Omaha grant proposals whittled to 35
Roughly $225 million package now goes to Nebraska lawmakers to confirm

OMAHA — A year after debate launched over a whopping $335 million law aimed largely at lifting North and South Omaha, 35 recommended grant winners have emerged from a pack of 367. On Tuesday, the legislative committee overseeing the Economic Recovery Act grant program announced its project picks, which range from a makeover of the South 24th Street “Plaza de la Raza” to the creation of a 100-acre Sankofa Innovation District on North 16th Street. Recommended recipients — chosen for their promise of long-lasting economic growth and big change in low-income areas — are to share grants totaling roughly $225 million. The balance of the $335 million is already earmarked for specific areas and projects, including a business park near Eppley Airfield, affordable housing and North Omaha innovation hubs.

Historic investment

Adopted last year as Legislative Bill 1024, the Economic Recovery Act designed to boost Nebraska communities impacted negatively by COVID-19 has a team of state senators overseeing the grant process. Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, committee chairman, said the dollars represent historic investment in the state’s most disadvantaged communities. “For North and South Omaha, these state and federal dollars are truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to address the long-standing social and economic challenges that have persisted for generations,” he said. The committee’s whittled-down list — all ideas submitted totaled roughly $3 billion in requests — follows numerous public meetings, study groups and an analysis of proposals by a paid team led by Olsson design, planning and consulting of Omaha. Recommended recipients are to be drawn up as a legislative bill to be voted on, possibly amended, this session by the full Legislature. Once approved, money is to be distributed in late summer and must be spent by the end of 2026.

Mecca of entrepreneurship

Among ventures recommended by the committee is the Sankofa district, envisioned as a mecca for entrepreneurship at 16th and Locust Streets. The effort would get a $40 million grant to launch a redevelopment containing talent training, an incubator program, mixed-income housing, retailers and more.


Projects along North Omaha’s 24th Street would get funding under the plan announced Tuesday. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

A sampling of other winners recommended in North Omaha: $20 million for the Omaha Economic Development Corporation’s “opportunity ecosystem,” which envisions 53 new businesses and 105 new residential lofts along 24th Street; and $14.5 million to the African-American Empowerment Network to expand and build upon existing programs. In South Omaha, $39 million would go to the Q Street corridor partnership, which involves eight construction projects related to health, job training, social services and housing. A sampling of other recommended ventures on the South Side: the Adelante project, led by the Latino Economic Development Council, would get $25 million, in part, to help rehab a plaza along 24th Street into a tourist magnet and community hub; $9 million would help expand El Museo Latino; $7.5 million would go to the Q Metro project and its new five-story, mixed-use facility with storefronts, affordable housing and offices for Midwest Maintenance Co.

More grants possible

Sens. Terrell McKinney and Tony Vargas, both of Omaha and both members of the committee, said that worthwhile projects were shaved from the winner list but may have a shot at future state dollars. They expect the committee to seek additional funds this session for North and South Omaha ventures. Other committee members are Sens. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, Mike McDonnell of Omaha and former Sens. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha and Mike Hilgers of Lincoln. In choosing their slate of winners, the group and consulting team said in an 80-page report that they looked at compliance to the American Rescue Plan Act, which accounted for the bulk of the North and South Omaha funding. Other key considerations were benefit to the area and the ability to positively influence the larger community by sparking future economic growth. Once proposals were mapped out, the report said that distinct geographical areas of focus emerged. The committee then categorized winners in those areas, noting that impact could be amplified in such business clusters. Some of the winning recommendations reflected a coalition of agencies or projects.

Clusters of focus

The focus areas investment:

- North 16th Street, five proposals would receive a total of $67.6 million
- North 24th Street, 10 winning proposals would share nearly $54 million.
- South 24th Street, two groups would get a total of $34 million.
- Q Street corridor in South Omaha, where four proposals are to share $62 million.

In addition, a collection of 14 smaller grantees viewed by the committee as “quick wins” would be granted less than $1 million apiece. In total, those agencies or projects would share about $7 million. McKinney said the goal was to create a plan led by the community.“Unlike traditional funding opportunities which have preset guidelines, residents of North and South Omaha were given a blank canvas to be the change they want to see in their community,” he said.

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Here is a copy of the Olsson summary:

https://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf ... 4_2023.pdf

One of the interesting developments receiving funding, is the Sankofa Innovation District. Apparently, that project will be anchored by the Cathy Hughes Innovation Center. It's nice to see her tied to a project like this.

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North and South Omaha museums receiving ARPA funds
300 organizations applied for a share of more than $300 in Rescue Plan money

The Great Plains History Museum opened in the historic Webster Telephone Exchange Building near 24th and Lake in 1976. The building fell into disrepair and closed in 2001.

El Museo Latino in South Omaha has been recommended to receive $9 million.

Only around three dozen of the 300-some organizations were recommended by a legislative committee to receive the funds.

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North and South Omaha museums receiving ARPA funds
300 organizations applied for a share of more than $300 in Rescue Plan money

The Great Plains History Museum opened in the historic Webster Telephone Exchange Building near 24th and Lake in 1976. The building fell into disrepair and closed in 2001.

El Museo Latino in South Omaha has been recommended to receive $9 million.

Only around three dozen of the 300-some organizations were recommended by a legislative committee to receive the funds.

I went to High School with Maggie Garcia, the woman who's responsible for the creation of El Museo Latino. I've been following her (and the museum's) story from its inception. She's dedicated her life to this place and worked very hard to make it a success, and I'm really happy to hear about this grant.

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Omaha Star recommended to receive more than $800,000 for museum, education projects

The education of students around the state and the country were greatly affected during the height of the pandemic. The Nebraska Legislature has made more than $300 million available through the Economic Recovery Act to help communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. A publisher of a historic Omaha newspaper has plans to use some of those funds to help educate the journalists of tomorrow. Recent news coming from the Omaha Star says the newspaper has been recommended to receive more than $800,000 in ARPA funds to help complete a more than $1.1 million project.

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Two Omaha museum hoping to receive ARPA funds to expand

Omaha cultural museums are hoping to receive funds for expansion from the American Rescue Plan Act.

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Culxr House set to receive $2.7 million in ARPA funds
The business is just one along the North 24th Street corridor recommended to receive money.

The Great Plains Black History Museum has been recommended to receive funding through the Nebraska legislature’s Economic Recovery Grant program to build a new facility near 24th and Lake Streets. The Omaha Star has also been recommended to receive funds to create a museum to honor its founder, Mildred Brown.

A bit further to the north, the Culxr House is on the list. The nonprofit has also been recommended to receive federal funds. All you have to do is drive along North 24th Street. You can go for blocks and never see a restaurant.

The Culxr House has been recommended to receive more than $2.7 million. The Nebraska Legislature’s Economic Recovery Grant program will bring more than $300 million to disadvantaged areas of North and South Omaha. The Economic Recovery Special Committee has not made a final decision on distributing the funds.

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Several Omaha organizations team up to ensure ARPA funds get to where they’re needed
Organizers call the teamwork “historical.”

A dozen South Omaha organizations are hoping that by teaming up, the funds recommended for South Omaha actually make it there. The group is diverse, representing everything from the arts to economic development in the community, all working together to make sure South Omaha is not left out of federal funds that are available. Organizers call this teamwork historical. “It’s a historical opportunity to capitalize a lot of the projects that have been [on] the mind of many organizations that have served this community for decades,” said Cesar Garcia, Canopy South’s executive director. “Unfortunately the pandemic affected this community worse.”

“It’s historical because we’re bringing together many organizations from different sectors, for-profit and non-profit, that the plan is well-coordinated, well-supported, that the expertise that each organization brings to the table is well utilized, and the trust of the community that we have been working so hard for many decades to gain that we are able to pay back,” Garcia said. OneWorld Community Health Center is a very busy place. Last year, OneWorld served more than 50,000 people providing healthcare to an underserved community. Now they have plans to expand, building a 24,000-square-foot facility to provide prevention-focused healthcare, including mental health care -- a need that spiked during the height of the pandemic.

“People who have immigrated to the United States and don’t have family nearby, out support creates the chance for lots of depression and behavioral health issues and we saw death during COVID, and families are still reeling and trying to recover from that, and they need our help,” said Andrea Skolkin, CEO of OneWorld. OneWorld is just one example of the need for change in South Omaha. Organizers say this community is a major part of the city and the state. “South Omaha is the gateway for bringing immigrants to this community,” Skolkin said. “That’s been very important to the success of the state.” Organizers are encouraging people and organizations to get in touch with their state legislators to let them know how important the funding is to the South Omaha community.

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Some community leaders jittery about future of $225 million earmarked for North and South Omaha

It’s been six weeks since a Nebraska legislative panel released a much-anticipated report recommending how to distribute $225 million earmarked for North and South Omaha neighborhoods. Some community members have since criticized the selection process. An implementation bill has yet to be finalized, and a legislative public hearing has yet to be scheduled.



Mounting questions, scant information from state officials and a tight deadline to spend the federal funds have some South Omaha leaders nervous that a “historic opportunity” to improve their community might be stalled or in jeopardy. “ The last thing we want is that this process is reopened and we lose more time,” said Cesar Garcia, executive director of Canopy South, which is coordinating a $39 million, multi-agency grant recommended for projects along the Q Street corridor.

‘We are ready’

So Canopy South is among a dozen organizations serving South Omaha that have called a media event Wednesday to announce their united front behind the $335 million Economic Recovery Act, passed last year as Legislative Bill 1024. The distribution of $225 million in grants, largely from American Rescue Plan Act funds, is a key component of LB 1024. A consultant team led by Olsson was under contract for $1.7 million to guide the vetting and selection process. After weeks of public hearings and analysis, the consulting team issued an 80-page report Jan. 10 that had whittled 367 applications to 35 recommended winners. Some of those winners were coalitions that represented several groups. The grants come with the mandate that ARPA dollars be spent by the end of 2026. Garcia said many of the South Omaha organizations recommended for the funding already have lined up contractors for their projects and are eager to begin. “We needed to come together and say, we are ready in South Omaha to receive those funds,” Garcia said.

‘The process’

A coalition that includes numerous agencies including the Latino Economic Development Council, Girls Inc., Latino Center of the Midlands, Stephen Center, 3 Amigas and Midwest Maintenance reiterated their readiness in a statement. statement. “It is imperative to assure the public and state senators that the organizations in South Omaha are well-equipped to implement the proposed projects before the deadline outlined,” they said. State Sen. Terrell McKinney of North Omaha, a co-sponsor of the Economic Recovery Act, said Tuesday that the process to award the grants is moving forward and that he expects a public hearing on proposed implementation in early March.



That implementation plan would be spelled out in his Legislative Bill 531, which is still being written and would still have to be adopted by the full Legislature. “It’s just the process,” said McKinney. Asked whether the Olsson recommendations would be followed, McKinney said that will be part of the discussion in determining the contents of the implementation bill to be aired before the Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee.

Heightened concern

Garcia said some in South Omaha have heard that state lawmakers are not clear or in agreement on how to handle the Olsson recommendations. He said his concerns were heightened after reaching out to the consultant for some information and being told that Olsson’s job was completed. McKinney downplayed concern, saying that the Olsson team should be available for questions from the special legislative committee but that otherwise the team had completed its work. A spokesman for the Olsson group said the consulting team was told to refer media questions to McKinney’s office. He’s chair of the Urban Affair Committee. Combined, the grants recommended for various South Omaha projects total about $100 million. Olsson has said the recommended slate was based on the project’s promise of long-lasting economic growth. OneWorld Community Health Centers is among the groups recommended for partial funding of their submitted project. It would receive about $10 million of $17 million requested.



‘Worked so hard’

Andrea Skolkin, executive director, said the nonprofit likely would hold off on certain parts of its project, such as renovation of residential dwellings in its headquarters building. And it would move forward with other components, such as building a three-story building housing health care workforce training center, a behavioral health care unit and child care options. Skolkin said she didn’t necessarily see anything amiss in the grant rollout process so far. She figured more details would be shared with nonprofits and grant recipients after legislative debate. But she added, “We would hate to see this whole process that was very transparent be for nothing. Everyone has worked so hard for the projects they put forward.” Several South Omaha groups wanted to underscore the need for the ARPA grants to improve the community. “We are proud to be part of this collaborative that is taking a bold and innovative approach to addressing the economic disparities faced by South Omaha residents and businesses,” said Albert Varas, CEO and president of Latino Center of the Midlands, which is recommended to receive 60% of the nearly $5 million it requested. “This funding will allow us to renovate our headquarters and help pave the way for greater access to education and workforce development opportunities.”

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Nebraska economic development leaders open an office in South Omaha

OMAHA — Nudged by South Omaha leaders and an avalanche of public dollars that appear to be headed to that area, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development has opened up a satellite office in South Omaha. The state’s economic development director, Anthony Goins, said he had been considering adding a “strategic South Omaha presence” even before lawmakers last year passed Legislative Bill 1024, which earmarks about $335 million, largely for North and South Omaha. But he said the anticipated financial infusion accelerated the move to open the DED satellite site in the Automotive Training Center on the Metropolitan Community College campus near 30th and Q Streets.

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'I'm confident that we will get this through':
More debate to disperse millions of dollars for North, South Omaha



People waiting to construct projects in North and South Omaha are depending on lawmakers to release millions of dollars for community projects. Time is running out to spend millions from the American Rescue Plan Act to re-invigorate the city's east side after the pandemic. A state senator from Omaha says swapping that money with dollars from the state's general fund can avoid federal restrictions and 2026 spending deadline. "I'm confident that we will get this through," Sen. Tony Vargas said Wednesday.

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North Omaha community leaders host Gov. Pillen for closed-door meeting



With millions in federal funding on the line in North Omaha, community leaders hosted Gov. Jim Pillen for the first time since he took office for a closed-door meeting. He met with them at Mount Moriah Baptist Church near 24th and Ohio streets. "We had conversations about everything from housing to education to prisons and everything in between. It's a great time to listen and understand everybody's perspective," Pillen said.

Media was not allowed inside, but we watched as many community leaders, from city councilwoman Juanita Johnson and BID president Lavonya Goodwin, to state senators like Terrell McKinney and Justin Wayne, filed in. "I will tell you, this is one of the most accessible governors I've ever been able to deal with," Wayne said. McKinney echoed something similar.

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Unicameral approves transfer of ARPA funds to general budget



LINCOLN, Neb. — "Transformational change" is coming to north and south Omaha, as organizations on both sides of town will soon have the funds to start projects meant to spur economic development and job growth. Senator Tony Vargas said it's been a long road. He's been working alongside Sens. Justin Wayne and Terrell Mckinney for two years to secure ARPA funds approved to be used in communities disproportionally affected by COVID-19 in the metro.

Thursday, the unicameral approved LB531 which allows the transfer of the money into the state's general fund. Since the ARPA funds have a deadline for when they need to be used, this prevents the state from losing them. The Department of Economic Development will now distribute the money in the form of grants for projects earmarked in north and south Omaha.

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North and South Omaha receive ARPA funds for tourism



North and South Omaha are receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars to boost tourism.