The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides flexible funding to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and improved community facilities/services. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at HUD. All CDBG-funded activities must meet one of the following national objectives: (1) Benefit low- and moderate-income persons; (2) Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight; or (3) Meet certain community development needs having a particular urgency.
In Nebraska, CDBG funds may be utilized to address construction or renovation of various infrastructure projects such as water, wastewater and solid waste facilities, streets, and flood control projects; construction or improvements of a range of community facilities such as senior, health and social services centers; expansion of public services to serve low-income persons; creation of new jobs through small business loans or infrastructure improvements; and various affordable housing projects including home reconstruction, rehabilitation or repair programs.
Funding is divided into the following program categories:
- Downtown Revitalization - The purpose of the Downtown Revitalization Category is to provide revitalization efforts located within the downtown business district, including streets, sewer, and water systems, historic restoration, removal of architectural barriers, and/or loans to business for façade improvements, signage, and/or to meet community codes.
- Economic Development - The purpose of the Economic Development category is to assist with providing loans to businesses or infrastructure construction projects undertaken for economic development purposes.
- Planning - The purpose of the Planning category is to provide communities the opportunity to solve problems and meet citizen needs through an integrated community planning process that assesses community development needs, develops options for meeting those needs, and packages work plans or otherwise carries out strategic processes that provide the framework for successful projects directing resources toward State priorities. Studies, analysis, data gathering, identification of implementation action, and preparation of plans – such as Housing studies, Comprehensive plans, Downtown Revitalization Plans, Historic Preservation studies.
- Public Works - The purpose of the Public Works (PW) Program Category is to provide for a broad range of investments to communities investing in effective and affordable infrastructure and/or facilities that address strategic long term developments. This category recognizes the importance of the availability and condition of infrastructure and community facilities. Funded projects shall develop the state's communities and counties by providing residents with basic infrastructure and/or facilities with the opportunity to maximize energy efficiency and provide a suitable living environment. Sewer and water systems, streets, sidewalks, fire stations & trucks, non-profit daycare centers, senior centers, community centers, libraries, tornado shelters, removal of architectural barriers, parks, and other public infrastructure.
- Tourism Development - The purpose of the Tourism Development (TD) Category is to provide investments in effective and affordable tourist attraction facilities to quality communities that are investing in long-term development. This provides a sound basis for assisting tourist attraction projects that have attracted significant financial support and are likely to have long-term positive impacts on their local and regional economies. Tourist attractions projects that serve both a regional and a local economy of community need are a key element in satisfying the state objective. The objective of Tourism Development is to assist tourism development projects that have already attracted significant financial support and are likely to have long-tern positive impacts on the local and regional economics.
https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/programs/community/cdbg/
2025 awards can be found here: https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/nebraska-department-of-economic-development-awards-14-1-million-of-community-development-block-grant-funds/