CBDG Public Works - Infrastructure

The Community Development Block Grant Public Works Infrastructure opportunity is administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. This program is part of the broader Community Development Block Grant framework, which is designed to support local governments in improving community conditions, particularly for low and moderate income populations. The Public Works Infrastructure opportunity specifically focuses on strengthening essential infrastructure systems that contribute to long term community sustainability, economic development, and overall quality of life. The program emphasizes the importance of reliable and efficient infrastructure as a foundation for safe and livable communities across the state. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support a wide range of infrastructure investments that address strategic and long term development needs. Projects funded under this opportunity must contribute to effective and affordable infrastructure systems while enhancing energy efficiency and supporting suitable residential environments. All proposed projects must meet the federal requirement that infrastructure activities are residential in character, ensuring that the benefits are directed toward residential communities rather than commercial or industrial uses. Eligible activities under this program focus heavily on publicly owned water and wastewater systems. This includes improvements to water treatment sources, storage systems, and distribution networks, as well as sanitary sewer collection and treatment infrastructure. Projects must address clearly defined problems or needs and demonstrate how the improvements will contribute to community revitalization. Priority is given to projects located in areas with a significant concentration of lower income households, ensuring alignment with the program’s mandate to benefit low and moderate income persons. The funding also allows for certain supporting activities when they are directly tied to eligible infrastructure improvements. For example, clearance activities may be included if they are necessary to implement water or wastewater system upgrades. However, the program explicitly excludes projects that are solely intended to reduce user fees or cover cost overruns from other funding sources. This ensures that funds are used for impactful infrastructure development rather than financial gap filling. To be eligible for funding, all projects must meet national objectives related to benefiting low and moderate income populations, specifically through area benefit or limited clientele categories. Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed project will directly serve these populations and comply with federal regulatory requirements. This reinforces the program’s focus on equitable development and targeted community impact. Applications are submitted through the designated state grant portal, with supporting guidelines, forms, and templates available on the Department of Economic Development’s website. Applicants are expected to prepare detailed proposals outlining project scope, need, impact, and compliance with eligibility requirements. While specific evaluation criteria are not explicitly outlined in the provided materials, proposals are expected to align closely with program priorities, demonstrate clear community benefit, and provide sufficient technical and financial justification. The application window for this funding opportunity opens on July 1, 2026 and closes on September 15, 2026. During this period, applicants may submit questions via the designated program email. The program operates on a competitive basis, and awards range from a minimum of 250000 to a maximum of 630000 dollars. The opportunity is expected to follow a recurring annual cycle typical of Community Development Block Grant programs, although exact future timelines are not explicitly stated. Applicants are encouraged to review all guidance materials and ensure compliance with submission requirements to remain competitive.

Focus on clearly demonstrating low and moderate income benefit and specific infrastructure need; prioritize water and wastewater improvements; avoid proposing projects focused on fee reduction or cost overruns