Chester, Deshler win demo grants

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has awarded $898,139 in grants to support nine projects that will demolish dilapidated commercial properties across the state.

The funds are provided through the Revitalize Rural Nebraska grant program. NDEE received applications from 15 communities during the application period earlier this year.

“The Revitalize Rural Nebraska program gives these grant recipients a unique opportunity to improve their communities,” NDEE Interim Director Thad Fineran said. “Removing these damaged and abandoned buildings will give properties a blank slate for redevelopment and provide a benefit to these cities and villages.”

Chester and Deshler are local towns that received 2024 grant awards:

Chester – $39,649 for the property on 522 Thayer Avenue

Deshler – $200,000 for the property on 618 4th Street

The Revitalize Rural Nebraska Grant Program was established in 2023 by the Nebraska Legislature to fund the demolition of dilapidated commercial properties owned by a village or a city of the first or second class. This was a competitive grant process. To be eligible for funding, properties have to be owned by the applying municipality, abandoned or vacant for at least six months, and not on or eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Recipient communities must also provide a local match. NDEE assessed applications for eligibility and competitive ranking with priority given to applications from villages and second-class cities.

More information on the grant program can be found on NDEE’s website: http://dee.ne.gov/Publica.nsf/pages/23-024.