Following a competitive application process that ended in March, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development has announced the 14 recipients of the Rural Workforce Housing Fund (RWHF).
These grant funds will be used to finance workforce housing development projects. Eligibility for the program was scored on the basis of factors such as ongoing local workforce housing needs and the demonstrated ability to manage housing and investment projects. Columbus was awarded the highest eligible grant of $850,000. This grant will be matched with local funds including $750,000 from the City of Columbus economic development fund, $250,000 from Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, $150,000 from Columbus Community Foundation, $50,000 from Columbus United Way Endowment and $50,000 from Columbus Development Corporation.
The RWHF grants support rural communities’ workforce recruitment efforts by helping them expand and improve their affordable housing. More information on the RWHF program can be found at:
https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/program/workforce-housing-fund/.
Thank you to all who have contributed to this process!