LINCOLN- Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen recently announced that the state is increasing its contribution to three major Omaha projects by over $2 million. The three projects, Omaha Performing Arts Center, Joslyn Art Museum, and the Elkhorn Athletic Association, first received $3.85 million through the state's Shovel-Ready Capital project program. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development administers the Shovel-Ready program.

The increased funds came from reallocated money from other projects that went unfinished. In 2022, $115 million in grants were set aside for nonprofits that were delayed by COVID-19. Lawmakers approved using $100 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars and $15 million from the state's general fund, and nonprofits were also required to at least match their grants with privately raised dollars.

Due to a high volume of applications, the three projects did not initially receive the funds they requested. Because of their underfunded status, they were chosen to be given the repurposed money. After the increase, the total for each of the three projects is $6.31 million.

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