Infrastructure Hub Looks To Connect County Project With Grant Money

By Gordon HopkinsIn August of this year, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) launched the Nebraska Infrastructure Hub, the state’s first-ever intergovernmental entity focused on empowering state and local public agencies in competing for federal discretionary grants. This initiative is intended to align with Governor Jim Pillen’s vision of increasing Nebraska’s competitiveness for federal funding. Through technical assistance from NDOT, the Hub will support communities from initial application through project administration, ensuring compliance with federal requirements and deadlines.In a statement, NDOT Director Vicki Kramer wrote, “As many of you know, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) or Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has introduced unprecedented federal discretionary funding opportunities. The Nebraska Infrastructure Hub offers comprehensive resources and expert guidance to help communities navigate the competitive grant application process.”Jenna Habegger, Highway Planning Manager for the Nebraska Infrastructure Hub, gave a presentation about the hub to Jefferson County Commissioners on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, “Even though there are many great opportunities, the infrastructure hub is focusing on transportation project, roads and bridges.”Commissioner Gale Pohlmann acknowledged the necessity of finding outside funding sources for road projects, “When it costs over a million dollars a mile to build a road today, definitely, we can't do it within our normal budget.”“We've heard from locals since the bipartisan infrastructure law was announced that it's a struggle to put together those grant application,” said Habegger. “Our director is very supportive of trying to help find our local agencies the availability to write grant applications and help manage those projects once the funds have been awarded. So that's kind of what brought about the infrastructure hub.”Habegger noted, “So, unfortunately, Nebraska ranks 49th out of 50 states in receiving grants.”Key components of the Hub include:• Grant Pairing Portal: Matches projects with suitable grants.• Project Development Support Team: Two full-time members provide personalized assistance and feedback on draft proposals.• Technical Support: On-call consultants available to enhance proposals.• Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation: Ensures compliance and success of grant-funded projects.• Partnerships and Networking Opportunities: Facilitates collaboration among stakeholders.To help applicants with the sometimes onerous task of writing a grant application, Habegger said, “We do have two consultants in place hire to write grant applications.”“So, our on call consultants can help develop pieces of the grant application,” said Habegger. “Some people can do a great job writing, with the storytelling. Maybe need help with the cost benefit analysis. They can help with just that, or they can write the entire grant application, if needed. So. we do have $2 million available to write those grant applications.”“Nebraska is not just going after construction dollars. There are planning grants available. It's a great opportunity to use federal funds to help design your project and come up with accurate cost estimates to go after construction dollars,” said Habegger. “We've seen a lot of those planning grants come back as 100 percent fully federally funded.Habegger also gave commissioners a demonstration of how the hub website works.

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