Airport Business Park Program

The Airport Business Park Program will award funds to a nonprofit economic development organization for the development of a business park located within or adjacent to one or more qualified census tracts within the boundaries of a city of the metropolitan class and within two miles of a major airport as defined in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-3303.

The Airport Business Park Program will consist of two phases:

Phase 1: Planning Grant
The planning grant process allowed the Awardee the opportunity to create and present a Master Plan for the development and creation of a business park. The Awardee received a grant of $400,000.00.

Phase 2: Program Grant
The Phase II Program Grant will provide Applicant(s) with grants not to exceed $89,600,000.00 to finalize the development of the business park. The maximum amount of the Program Grant will be offset by any funds distributed during the Phase I Planning Grant.

What Can the Grants Be Used for?
Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. §81-12,241(4)(a), The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) will provide grants to a nonprofit economic development organization not to exceed $90,000,000.00 for the development of a business park located within or adjacent to one or more qualified census tracts located within the boundaries of a city of the metropolitan class and within two miles of a major airport as defined in section 13-3303.

An innovation hub as defined in section 81-12,108 shall not qualify for a grant under this subdivision.
A map of QCTs can be found here: https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/programs/recovery/ 

Who is Eligible to Apply?
The Airport Business Park Program grant application will be open to nonprofit economic development organizations for the development of a business park.

Nonprofit economic development organizations are public organizations that provide resources for stating or locating a business, obtaining business licenses and permits, and information on job resources and labor law. These organizations also provide business advisory services, business training, networking organizations, local economic development, business advisory and financial and regulatory assistance.

Adjacent means adjoining, touching, and sharing a common border.

Two miles from a major airport refers to an airport with commercial service as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (Neb. Rev. Stat. §13-3303)

Qualified Census Tract: A QCT is a qualified census tract as defined in 26 U.S.C. 42(d)(5)(B)(ii)(I), as such section existed on January 1, 2022. A map of QCTs can be found here: https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/programs/recovery/ 

A city of the metropolitan class is defined in Neb. Rev. Stat. §14-101 as all cities which have attained a population of four hundred thousand inhabitants or more as determined by the most recent federal decennial census or the most recent revised certified count by the United States Bureau of the Census.

A business park is a comprehensive development encompassing all of the elements outlined in the Master Plan, as defined in section 3.3.1 of the Airport Business Park program manual.

Nonprofit Economic Development Organization: Nonprofit economic development organizations are public organizations that provide resources for stating or locating a business, obtaining business licenses and permits, and information on job resources and labor law. These organizations also provide business advisory services, business training, networking organizations, local economic development, business advisory and financial and regulatory assistance. Nonprofit economic development organizations must have a 501(c) designation from the Internal Revenue Service.

Deadlines are as follows:
Application Open: December 18, 2023
Application Due: January 2, 2024
Anticipated Award Date: January 2024

Period of Performance: Funds to be expended by December 31, 2027

Award Amount: The Phase II Program Grant will provide Applicant(s) with grants not to exceed $90,000,000.00 to finalize the development of the business park. The maximum amount of the Program Grant will be offset by any funds distributed during the Phase I Planning Grant.

Press Release:

• Airport Business Park Program Planning Grant Applications open Friday, October 31, 2022, at 9 a.m. CST
• Nebraska Department of Economic Development Awards $400,000 for the Airport Business Park Planning Grant
• Airport Business Park Program Grant Applications Reopen
• Nebraska Department of Economic Development Awards $800,000 of Airport Business Park Planning Grants
• Clarity on Airport Business Park