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North & South Omaha Recovery Grant Program (NSORG)

The North & South Omaha Recovery Grant Program (NSORG) was designed to provide grants to public and private entities to respond to the negative impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency and to build resilient and innovative communities. NSORG was established by LB 531 of the State of Nebraska Legislature and signed into law by Governor Jim Pillen on June 6, 2023.

Eligibility Information

What Can the Grants Be Used for?
Based on the coordination plan and appendices, dated January 10, 2023, DED has identified eight funding categories that respond to the negative impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency and to build resilient and innovative communities.

  • Small Business Support Grants
  • RAPID Grants
  • Recovery Housing Grants
  • Sports and Tourism Grants
  • Arts, Culture, and Social Assistance Grants
  • Entrepreneur and Innovation Grants
  • Youth, Talent, and Workforce Development Grants
  • Placemaking Infrastructure Grants

Applicants may apply for projects in ONE of the eight funding categories. If an Applicant submits the same project under more than one funding category, only the first application submitted will be considered for funding.

  • Applicants cannot submit the same project in multiple categories. However, Applicants can apply in multiple categories so long as the projects differ from one another.

Categories
Each funding category has special threshold requirements and scoring criteria, which are detailed in the Program Manual, Section 3.3.2.

Additional Information
Grants must relieve the negative impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency within a qualified census tract (QCT) or an economic redevelopment area (ERA) located within the boundaries of a city of the metropolitan class and/or build resilient and innovative communities, with a priority on small business development, job creation, and economic development within such communities.

Who is Eligible to Apply?
The North & South Omaha Recovery Grant Program grant application will be open to public and private entities. In addition, to be eligible for a grant under the NSORG, a project must be listed in the coordination plan or appendices by the Economic Recovery Special Committee of the Legislature dated January 10, 2023.

A copy of the plan can be found here: https://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/reports/econrec.php.

Look up proposal name/ ID number here: https://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/reports/econrec.php 

 

Important Requirements

  • Each Applicant may apply for projects in one of the eight funding categories. If an Applicant submits the same project under more than one funding category, only the first application submitted will be considered for funding. 
  • No single organization will receive more than two (2) NSORG awards. 
  • Universities and Colleges: Each institution of higher education (IHE) may submit no more than one application total across all NSORG funding categories. If an IHE submits more than one application, only the first application submitted will be considered for funding. 

    Program Resources

    TitleFile TypeDate
    Additional Partner Entity InformationPDFAugust 18, 2023
    Amendment Request GuidePDFSeptember 13, 2024
    Attestation of Legal ProceedingsPDFAugust 16, 2023
    Economic Recovery Division Community Information Session – FAQPDFOctober 26, 2023
    North & South Omaha Recovery Grant Program ManualPDFOctober 5, 2023
    NSORG Community Meeting SlidesPDFAugust 30, 2023
    NSORG Lunch & Learn Session #1 PresentationPDFMarch 20, 2024
    NSORG Lunch & Learn Session #2 PresentationPDFApril 3, 2024
    NSORG Lunch & Learn Session #3 PresentationPDFApril 11, 2024
    NSORG Lunch & Learn Session #4 PresentationPDFApril 17, 2024
    NSORG Lunch & Learn Session #5 PresentationPDFApril 25, 2024
    NSORG Lunch & Learn Session #6 PresentationPDFMay 23, 2024
    NSORG Lunch & Learn Webinar Session #1 TakeawaysPDFMarch 20, 2024
    NSORG Lunch & Learn Webinar Session #3 TakeawaysPDFApril 11, 2024
    NSORG Lunch & Learn Webinar Session #4 TakeawaysPDFApril 18, 2024
    NSORG Lunch & Learn Webinar Session #5 TakeawaysPDFApril 25, 2024
    NSORG Lunch Learn Webinar Session #6 TakeawaysPDFMay 23, 2024
    NSORG Recipients ListPDFJanuary 31, 2024
    Small Business Support Grant Session #2 Check ListPDFMarch 18, 2024
    Small Business Support Grant Session #2 PresentationPDFMarch 18, 2024
    Small Business Support Grant Session #3 Check ListWordMarch 25, 2024
    Small Business Support Grant Session #3 PresentationPowerPointMarch 25, 2024
    Small Business Support Grants Check ListPDFMarch 12, 2024
    Small Business Support Grants CIS Presentation #1PDFMarch 12, 2024
    Small Business Support Grants Session #1 ChecklistPDFMarch 12, 2024
    Small Business Support Grants Technical Assistance SchedulePDFApril 23, 2024
    Statement Amendment TemplatePDFSeptember 13, 2024

    Video Resources

    Application Information

    Small Business Support Grants

    Program Manager Information:
    Deisy Coyle, Economic Recovery Program Manager
    deisy.coyle@nebraska.gov | 531-500-9577

    Youth, Talent, and Workforce Development Grants

    Application Period:
    Open Date: 9/8/2023 9:00 AM Central Standard Time
    Close Date: 10/10/2023 5:00 PM Central Standard Time

    Program Manager Information:
    Mike Vlassakis, Program Manager
    mike.vlassakis@nebraska.gov  |  531-600-7045

    Arts, Culture, & Social Assistance Grants

    Application Period:
    Open Date: 9/29/2023 9:00 AM Central Standard Time
    Close Date: 10/30/2023 5:00 PM Central Standard Time

    Program Manager Information:
    Daren Waters, North Omaha Business Manager
    Daren.Waters@nebraska.gov  |  402-480-9004

    Recovery Housing Grants

    Application Period:
    Open Date: 10/13/2023 10:00 AM Central Standard Time
    Close Date: 11/13/2023 5:00 PM Central Standard Time

    Program Manager Information:
    Javier Saldaña, Economic Recovery Division Administrator
    Javier.Saldana@nebraska.gov  |  531-283-1589

    Placemaking Infrastructure Grants

    Application Period:
    Open Date: 9/1/2023 9:00 AM Central Standard Time
    Close Date: 10/2/2023 5:00 PM Central Standard Time
    * City of Omaha has requested that anyone seeking a letter of support should request the letter from the Mayor’s office no later than 9/22.*

    Program Manager Information:
    Atticus Stansbury, Economic Recovery Program Manager
    atticus.stansbury@nebraska.gov  |  402-890-8028

    RAPID Grants

    Application Period:
    Open Date: 9/8/2023 9:00 AM Central Standard Time
    Close Date: 10/10/2023 5:00 PM Central Standard Time

    Program Manager Information:
    Elizabeth Blanco Rodriguez, Economic Development Manager
    Elizabeth.Blanco@nebraska.gov  |  402-983-0911

    Sports & Tourism Grants

    Application Period:
    Open Date: 9/29/2023 9:00 AM Central Standard Time
    Close Date: 10/30/2023 5:00 PM Central Standard Time
    * City of Omaha has requested that anyone seeking a letter of support should request the letter from the Mayor’s office no later than 10/13.*

    Program Manager Information:
    Mike Vlassakis, Program Manager
    mike.vlassakis@nebraska.gov  |  531-600-7045

    Entrepreneurship & Innovation Grants

    Application Period:
    Open Date: 10/20/2023 9:00 AM Central Standard Time
    Close Date: 11/20/2023 5:00 PM Central Standard Time

    Program Manager Information:
    Deisy Coyle, Economic Recovery Program Manager
    deisy.coyle@nebraska.gov | 531-500-9577

    Award Amount: Applications for NSORG funds may not exceed the amount requested for each respective project in the coordination plan or appendices of the Economic Recovery Special Committee of the Legislature dated January 10, 2023.

    Coordination Plan & Appendices Data Request Form
    To obtain your original proposal submission (Olsson data) as a Microsoft Excel file, you may submit a request here.

    Contact Name(Required)
    Individual filling out this form.
    Provide the Name of the Organization as listed in the North and South Omaha Economic Recovery Coordination Plan known as the Olsson Plan.
    Provide the Name of the Proposal Title as listed in the North and South Omaha Economic Recovery Coordination Plan known as the Olsson Plan.
    Provide the Number of the proposal as listed in the North and South Omaha Economic Recovery Coordination Plan known as the Olsson Plan.

    Look up proposal name and ID/Row number here: https://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/reports/econrec.php 

    Grant Management Resources

    This page will provide technical assistance on using AmpliFund to apply for and manage grants awarded by DED.

    Technical Assistance Workshops

    All NSORG Recipients
    Beginning Wednesday, March 20, DED will hold weekly Lunch & Learn workshops over the lunch hour on a variety of grant-related topics. Registration is required for each session, and the workshops are only open to NSORG recipients. A full schedule of Lunch & Learn workshops is outlined below.

    Location:
    Hybrid; Microsoft Teams
    In person: Omaha State Office Building; Room 218
    1313 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102

    Session #1: Wednesday, March 20 at 12:00 p.m
    Topic: Getting started with your NSORG Award
    (session offered twice)
    Session #1: Wednesday, March 27 at 12:00 p.m.
    Topic: Getting started with your NSORG Award
    (session offered twice)
    Session #2: Wednesday, April 3 at 12:00 p.m.
    Topic: How to get the most out of a partially
    funded award
    Session #3: Wednesday, April 10 at 12:00 p.m.
    Topic: Reporting Expenses & Requesting Funds
    Session #4: Wednesday, April 17 at 12:00 p.m.
    Topic: Performance Reporting
    Session #5: Wednesday, April 24 at 12:00 p.m.
    Topic: Personnel Expenses & Documentation
    Session #6: Wednesday, May 22 at 12:00 p.m.
    Topic: Drop in Office Hours / Topic TBD
    Session #7: Wednesday, June 26 at 12:00 pm.
    Topic: Drop in Office Hours / Topic TBD
    Session #8: Wednesday, July 24 at 12:00 p.m.
    Topic: Drop in Office Hours / Topic TBD

     

    Small Business Support Grants Recipients
    Beginning Monday, March 11, DED will hold the first of three workshops over the lunch hour for recipients of Small Business Support Grants under NSORG. These workshops will outline steps in the process from offer letter to disbursement of funds and give small businesses who received an offer an idea of what to expect. Registration is required for each session, and the workshops are only open to NSORG Small Business Support Grants recipients. You can find a link to register on DED’s NSORG website. A full schedule is outlined below.

    Location:
    Microsoft Teams (registration required)

    Session #1: Monday, March 11 at 12:00 p.m.
    Topic: AmpliFund Application, Application Attachments, Frequent Questions, Frequent Errors
    Session #2: Monday, March 18 at 12:00 p.m.
    Topic: Physical Location & Scope of Work
    Session #3: Monday, March 25 at 12:00 p.m.
    Topic: Site Visits, Contracts, Post-Contract Steps

     

    Press Releases & Announcements

    For questions or additional information, visit DED’s North or South Omaha offices at the times listed below:

    • North Omaha Office: 5319 N 30th St., Suite B, Omaha, NE 68111
      • Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
      • Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
    • South Omaha Office: 2909 Edward Babe Gomez Ave., Omaha, NE 68107
      • Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
      • Wednesdays from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

    Have questions?

    Javier Saldaña

    Economic Recovery Division Administrator