Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery & Investment Act

The purpose of the Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery and Investment Act is to partner with the private sector by providing grants to qualified nonprofit organizations to assist such organizations with capital projects that have been delayed due to COVID-19 or that will provide a positive impact in the State of Nebraska. 2023 applicants are not required to have a capital project that was delayed by COVID-19.

LB818 and LB531 amended various provisions of the 2021 Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery & Investment Act, Nebraska Revised Statutes 81-12, 220 et seq.

A qualified nonprofit organization means a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that:

(a) Is related to arts, culture, or the humanities, including any organization formed for the purpose of developing and promoting the work of artists and the humanities in various visual and performing forms, such as film, sculpture, dance, painting, horticulture, multimedia, poetry, photography, performing arts, zoology, or botany;

(b) Operates a sports complex;

(c) Is a postsecondary educational institution in a city of the metropolitan class and partners with an organization hosting a regional or national event for purposes of infrastructure development related to furnishing and equipment for a health sciences education center, enhanced mobility by vacation of a public street, pedestrian safety, and construction of a community athletic complex; or

(d) Is a county agricultural society with facilities located within the boundaries of a city of the primary class;

Due to the amount of funding available, postsecondary educational institutions are only eligible to apply for the funding set aside as described in Nebraska Revised Statute § 81-12,225(2)(a).

The qualified nonprofit organization must also have a capital project that:

• Was delayed due to COVID-19 or
• Provides a positive economic impact in the state of Nebraska and
• Was not awarded funds previously by the first Shovel-Ready funding cycle.

Please be advised that Applicants awarded funding under Shovel Ready are only eligible to receive up to $2,000,000 in funding for LB531 programs.

The amount of any grant approved under the Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery and Investment Act shall not exceed the amount of funds to be supplied by other sources.

SAMPLE 2023 Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery and Investment Act Application
This PDF is provided for your convenience. Application MUST be submitted online, through AmpliFund. DED will not accept applications in any other format.

Capital Project: a construction project to build, expand, or develop a new or existing facility or facilities or restoration work on a facility designated as a National Historic Landmark. The capital project must begin or resume no later than June 30, 2025 for all projects awarded funding for the second funding cycle. Capital projects awarded funding under the first Shovel-Ready funding cycle were required to begin or resume construction by June 30, 2022.

Cost: The Cost of land, engineering, architectural planning, contract services, construction, materials, and equipment needed to complete the capital project.

COVID-19: The novel coronavirus identified as SARS-CoV-2, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 or a virus mutating therefrom, and the health conditions or threats associated with the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 or a virus mutating therefrom.

Department: The Department of Economic Development (DED)

Sports Complex means property that:

(a) Includes indoor areas, outdoor areas, or both;
(b) Is primarily used for competitive sports; and
(c) Contains multiple separate sports venues.

Sports Venue includes, but is not limited to:

(a) A baseball field;
(b) A softball field;
(c) A soccer field;
(d) An outdoor stadium primarily used for competitive sports;
(e) An outdoor arena primarily used for competitive sports; and
(f) An enclosed, temperature-controlled building primarily used for competitive sports.

Press Release:

• Department of Economic Development Announces 2023 Shovel-Ready Funding Awards
• DED Announces Bridge Payment Option for Shovel-Ready Program
• Application Date Modified for Non-Profit Shovel-Ready Program
• 2023 State Funding Available for Non-Profit Shovel-Ready Grant Program
• Starting July 1, 2021 DED to Accept Applications for Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery & Investment Funding 
• Department of Economic Development Announces Funding Recipients Under the Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery and Investment Act 
• Nebraska Department of Economic Development issues guidance memorandum regarding the Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery and Investment Act and Davis Bacon and Related Acts