EMERSON- Small Nebraska cities such as Emerson have been receiving funding in efforts to improve the cities and benefit their residents.

Emerson was awarded $33,000 which is planned to help revamp the downtown area.

“It will basically bring new life into our downtown,” said Village Clerk Beth Bonderson. “We’ll have a full main street, with cars and business.”

Emerson is among five more small Nebraska communities set to receive a federal community development block grant funding administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The latest batch of towns will receive a total of $182,500.

The CDBG funds are a program of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development intended to help communities enhance public health and safety, economic well-being and quality of life. The projects are expected to benefit people of low and moderate incomes.

The awards also benefit:

Arthur in Arthur County, $43,500 to develop an environmental study that leads to flood plain amendments.
Bellwood in Butler County, $25,500 for a planning project that addresses property deterioration.
Clearwater in Antelope County, $53,000 for a downtown study aimed at creating a vibrant commercial district.
Newcastle in Dixon County, $27,500 to prepare a guiding document officials can use when deciding on public and private land developments.

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