As a part of the government funding bills passed in the U.S. Senate Thursday afternoon, January 15, a number of agencies throughout Nebraska will receive money for their projects.
Among the funding is $415,000 for the Region 26 Communications Center to upgrade equipment to support fire, rescue, and law enforcement emergency communications. Region 26 is based out of Taylor, and provides emergency service communications across Thomas, Blaine, Loup, Garfield, Wheeler, Greeley, Valley, and Sherman Counties.
Region 26 Director Alma Beland told KCNI/KBBN that receiving the funding was very exciting.
“The money will be used to upgrade the radio console in the Region’s 911 center,” said Beland, “a project that was going to be an enormous cost to the counties in the Region.”
The funds to carry out these upgrades has been some time in coming, with the Region having submitted an application to cover the project over a year ago.
Infrastructure investment was also included in Thursday’s appropriations. The City of Gothenburg will be receiving $776,000 for the expansion of water lines and pavement replacement.
Gothenburg Water Superintendent Nolan Golter told KCNI/KBBN, the funds are part of a project to build an additional water main crossing Lake Ave. This will provide a continuous loup with the water tower and help minimize down time when maintenance is required.
“This will help make the town water supply more efficient,” said Golter. “Its a good addition to the City.”
Golter noted Gothenburg City Administrator Gary Greer had been working directly with Senator Deb Fischer’s office on the proposal to help secure the funds.
In a statement announcing the passage of the three government appropriations bills, Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer said, “As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I’m pleased to have secured $48 million in this package – now on its way to the president’s desk. I’ve worked with communities across our state to identify and fund projects to make life better for Nebraskans. This includes improvements to our water infrastructure and firefighting capabilities, critical upgrades to emergency communication systems, and investments in our research institutions. Bringing tax dollars back to our communities is a crucial part of my job. I’ll continue working to ensure Nebraskans have a say in how our federal government spends their hard-earned tax dollars.”
Here is the full list of funded Nebraska programs provided in the press release from Fischer’s office:
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies:
• $2.7 million for Otoe County to upgrade its emergency communications
• $782,000 to the Southeast Communications 911 Center for emergency communications equipment upgrades
• $415,000 to Region 26 Communications Center (Thomas, Blaine, Loup, Garfield, Wheeler, Greeley, Valley, and Sherman Counties) to upgrade equipment to support fire, rescue, and law enforcement emergency communications
• $327,000 to Thayer County for equipment upgrades for emergency radio communications
• $2 million for the University of Nebraska–Omaha to implement and assess the Missing and Anti-Trafficking Youth Services Program to protect children from exploitation
• $176,000 for Nebraska State Patrol task force technology upgrades to support investigations for the arrest of child predators
• $1 million to the Omaha Police Department for public safety equipment upgrades
• $1.2 million to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office for critical equipment, including body-worn cameras
• $639,000 to Douglas County for equipment and technology upgrades for law enforcement information systems
• $1 million for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to purchase equipment and develop space to design, build, test, model, and validate products that grow Nebraska’s bioeconomy
• $3 million for the University of Nebraska–Kearney to modernize and expand comparative biomedical research training
• $1 million for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for equipment upgrades to support water quality research
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies:
• $3.2 million to repair and upgrade the water treatment plant in McCook
• $2.37 million to construct a retention lagoon, lift station, and sanitary sewer extensions in Greeley
• $696,000 to replace an aging well and renovate the sanitary water storage tank in Farwell
• $8.25 million to improve the Santee Sioux Tribe’s water source
• $1.42 million for watershed and stream improvements in the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District
• $776,000 for reconstruction of water and storm sewer facilities in Gothenburg
• $620,000 to construct a new well and transmission line in Genoa
• $600,000 to construct an additional lagoon cell in Shelby
• $468,000 to line the sewer mains in Valparaiso
• $100,000 to renovate an existing lagoon cell and install a depth mark in Ong
Energy and Water Development:
• $14.6 million to assist in the restoration of two irrigation tunnels on the Gering-Fort Laramie Canal
• $1.2 million to construct priority flood control projects in the Papillion Creek Basin in Sarpy County
• $350,000 to continue construction of a stormwater pump station to protect Offutt Air Force Base
• $50,000 for investigation funds for restoration of Big Elk Park in Thurston County
