The Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (CCCFF) 2019 Application Guidelines are available for review.
Administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), CCCFF is a state program designed to promote quality of life in communities through the development or renovation of community and recreation centers. DED awards CCCFF grants annually on a competitive basis.
CCCFF grants are eligible to municipalities and, in limited cases where a facility is a historic building, to nonprofit organizations collaborating with municipalities. Interested municipalities must submit a letter of intent to apply by January 15, 2019. Applications are due February 15, 2019.
The most recent legislative session triggered changes to the CCCFF program, including an increase to maximum grant amounts and a reduction in restrictions for receiving funding. Applicants are now eligible to receive a grant every two years, rather than the previous five-year restriction. The legislation affords priority to applicants that have not received a CCCFF grant in the past 10 years.
Funding through CCCFF is available for planning and construction, and can be applied to projects that are owned by municipalities. Eligible activities are those involving facilities that contribute to quality of life and place-making; for example, the development, rehabilitation, renovation or repurposing of facilities used primarily as recreation centers, community centers, auditoriums, etc. Also eligible are improvements or expansions to public parks, and the development of public spaces for community gatherings, entertainment and events.
Historic buildings owned by nonprofits are also eligible projects if a contractual relationship is created between a municipality and the nonprofit organization. Full details on project eligibility can be found at the website listed below.
More information about the CCCFF program, including instructions on how to apply for funding and a letter of intent template, can be found on the DED website at: https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/program/civic-and-community-center-financing-fund-cccff/. Or, contact Jenny B. Mason, CCCFF Coordinator, at 402-471-6280 or jenny.mason@nebraska.gov. Letters of intent may be submitted via email or postal mail, but must be received by DED no later than January 15, 2019. Starting on that date, the application portal will available to municipalities that have submitted a letter of intent.