Civic center funds could help community centers, historic buildings, libraries

The Local Civic, Cultural and Convention Center Financing Fund would be amended to explicitly include community center, library and historic building renovations and expansions under a bill advanced from general file March 14.

The fund is supported by a turn-back of 30 percent of new state sales tax generated by arenas constructed under the Convention Center Facility Financing Assistance Act and the Sports Arena Facility Financing Assistance Act and retailers near the arenas. Grants from the fund are awarded to communities based on the project’s readiness, financial support and likelihood of attracting new activity to Nebraska.

LB297, introduced by Fullerton Sen. Annette Dubas, would rename the fund as the Civic and Community Center Financing Fund and change the purpose of the fund from supporting projects that attract new civic, cultural and convention activity from outside of Nebraska to supporting projects that foster maintenance or growth of communities.

The bill also would reduce the cash match required from local funds from 80 percent to 50 percent. In addition, current language prohibiting the use of fund assistance for planning would be eliminated and planning would be made a criterion for project selection.

Dubas said the fund has provided approximately $3 million to Nebraska communities to fund civic centers, community centers and rehabilitation of historical buildings. LB297 would clarify project eligibility to increase use of the fund, she said.

“Programs such as these are going to be more critical for municipalities to meet their needs,” Dubas said.

Cedar Rapids Sen. Kate Sullivan spoke in support of LB297, saying renovations or expansions of community centers help small communities by attracting businesses.

Speaker Mike Flood of Norfolk offered an amendment to add libraries to the definition of civic centers. Libraries already are included in state Department of Economic Development regulations for the fund, he said, adding that Tobias and Tekamah have received grants for library projects.

Flood’s amendment was adopted 29-0 and LB297 advanced from general file 36-0.