News Flash

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has granted the City of Columbus $750,000 from its Civic and Community Center Financing Fund to aid in the construction of the Library/Cultural Arts Center project. Columbus City Council members elected to submit an application to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development on behalf of the Library/Cultural Arts Center in March 2017. The State of Nebraska’s support for Columbus leaders’ effort to provide the community with a long-lasting, quality community facility is deeply appreciated. The grant reaffirms the importance of the project’s development and the efforts of the many elected officials, Library Board members, donors, and volunteers who have worked toward making the Library/Cultural Arts Center a reality. The competitive grant evaluation process focuses on the project’s planning and development, the benefit the project provides for current and prospective residents, public support for the project, financial support for the project, and the project’s potential for driving economic development. The City of Columbus and Columbus Public Library continue to work toward the goal of funding half of the construction of the Library/Cultural Arts Center project with non-City of Columbus funds. This generous grant from the Civic and Community Center Financing Fund is another positive step toward achieving that goal. The grant funds provide a significant contribution to the Building the Next Chapter fundraising effort led by the Columbus Library Foundation. Columbus leaders are working hard to ensure that the Library/Cultural Arts Center project meets the needs of the Columbus community. A survey process will begin July 5, 2017 to gather public opinion on the project and its public funding. The survey will be followed by public meetings and focus groups that will help to refine the project. To get involved with the effort to develop the Library/Cultural Arts Center into a widely supported project, please contact Columbus Public Library Director Drew Brookhart at 402-564-7116 or drew.brookhart@columbusne.us.