Panhandle Improvement Project Cash Fund

The Panhandle Improvement Project Cash Fund was created under LB 818 Section 41, to promote community development in Nebraska’s panhandle region. The Department of Economic Development may provide a grant for the renovation or construction of eligible County Fairgrounds. An eligible Village may qualify for a grant to renovate a community facility that serves the surrounding rural area.

Legislative Bill 644 (2025) (codified as Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-3,114) prohibits foreign adversarial companies from receiving benefits under an incentive program of the State of Nebraska. Prior to applying, please see Memo 25-04 Foreign Adversarial Company, found also in the Guidance Documents section. Applicants meeting the definition of foreign adversarial company will not be approved for benefits. See the final reading of LB644 for more information.

What Can the Grants Be Used For? 

The Department of Economic Development may provide a grant not exceeding $995,000 (nine hundred ninety-five thousand dollars) for the renovation or construction of eligible County Fairgrounds. An eligible Village may qualify for a grant not exceeding $5,000 to renovate a community facility that serves the surrounding rural area.

Who is Eligible to Apply? 

Eligible applicants will be a County located in the Panhandle of the third congressional district and a Village in the Panhandle with a population of less than ten (10) people.

Letters of Intent
Letters of Intent should be submitted by Friday, February 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Grant applicants must have an approved Letter of Intent. For additional information and questions contact the program manager.

• Letter of Intent Notice County Fairgrounds
• Letter of Intent Notice Village Project

Award Amount
Grants may be awarded up to the amount allocated by the Legislature. DED reserves the right to partially fund any request.

County: $995,000
Village: $5,000