Wausa Receives Block Grant Worth $350,000

Photo courtesy Wausa Public Schools

On November 8, Department of Economic Development (DED) awarded $350,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to the Village of Wausa for Downtown Revitalization (DTR) improvements.

The Village of Wausa was awarded a DTR Planning Grant in 2016 and in 2017 submitted the plan within a DTR Implementation Grant application requesting $350,000 to implement Downtown Façade Improvements which had been identified as the highest priority by the Wausa DTR Committee and Village Board. Wausa businesses who participate in the façade program will provide the required matching funds of $107,450.

Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) Community Planner Lowell Schroeder said, “Wausa is a smaller community with a thriving downtown business district.  The community came together through the grant application and planning processes to demonstrate that they can implement a successful façade project.  This community is encouraging and developing the next generation of business leaders by including FBLA students on the DTR committee.”

Business planning meetings are tentatively for the first part of next year. Businesses can then start the bidding process to begin work.