CCCFF Supports Projects that Enhance Quality of Life, Promote Economic Development and Foster Thriving Places
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has published application guidelines for the Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (CCCFF) 2020 program year. The guidelines are available at https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2020-CCCFF-Application-Guidelines.pdf. They can also be accessed by visiting DED’s CCCFF webpage.
Eligible to municipalities, the competitive CCCFF program provides financial assistance for the planning and development of civic, community and recreation centers, such as libraries, wellness facilities, convention centers, town squares, cultural centers and more. Through CCCFF, communities can cover up to 50% of total eligible project costs.
The 2020 application guidelines detail a number of changes to the CCCFF program that occurred during the 2019 Legislative Session. Notably:
- Project ownership can now be shared with an eligible political subdivision, so long as the municipality’s ownership stake is at least 50%.
- Projects may now be located within a municipality or its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).
- Eligible historic buildings must now be owned by the applying municipality. State Preservation Historic Office (SHPO) determination is required.
- The term “community center” has been replaced with “public space.”
Since 2004, communities across the state have benefited from the CCCFF program by way of 91 civic centers, 34 recreation centers and six public spaces including over 45 community centers and nearly 20 libraries.
DED will begin accepting applications to the CCCFF program on January 15, 2020. A sample 2020 application form is currently available online, but the online application portal will not be available until Jan. 15. Note that to be considered, applicants must provide a letter of intent (due Jan. 15, 2020) and apply online. Letters of intent may be submitted to the CCCFF Program Coordinator starting now. The application portal is open from Jan. 15 until the February 15, 2020 application due date. The anticipated award date is March 30, 2020.
For more information about CCCFF, visit the DED website or contact Jenny B. Mason, CCCFF Program Coordinator, at jenny.mason@nebraska.gov or 402-471-6280.