OMAHA- During a Saturday forum, State Sens. Terrell McKinney and Justin Wayne were bombarded with questions aiming to help clarify the new road map for the disbursement of roughly $225 million in state grants to help rejuvenate North and South Omaha. "It's not ideal, but it's the process we have to work through," said McKinney of the disbursement selection process, which will now be headed by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

Many of those in the crowd said they were confused by the eight possible grant categories created by the Department, as well as how their businesses or projects might fit into one or the other. Others weren't sure who or what qualified for the grants. As specified under the new law that allowed for the grant, only around 365 private, public, and nonprofit organizations in North and South Omaha, that received similar funding last year, will be eligible to re-apply. Last year's requests were compiled by Olsson Consulting Firm, and the data was used this year by DED officials to recommend 35 frontrunner projects to serve as a "base" for their scoring of other businesses.

Community activist Vickey Parks, who spoke alongside McKinney and Wayne, wanted to know why DED officials weren't at the meeting to "explain this foolishness." Ultimately, however, the questions asked at the forum will be presented to the DED, who will then produce an official response better laying out the steps of the awarding process. Questions arose regarding the absence of Sens. Vargas and McDonnell, who both represent parts of South Omaha, at the forum.

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