FAIRBURY, NE — The City of Fairbury is getting a big boost in aid to help with certain projects in the community. 

Fairbury has been awarded $1.75 million in grant funds from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED). The money comes from the American Rescue Plan Act and was distributed through the Qualified Census Tract (QCT) Recovery Grant Program of Great Nebraska. 

"Awarded projects will help revitalize public spaces in Greater Nebraska's QCTs, create innovative housing solutions, and help multiple Greater Nebraksa QCTs attract, retain and develop a diverse and highly qualified workforce," the DED wrote in a statement.

According to Fairbury Mayor Spencer Brown, $1 million of the funds will go toward infrastructure, particularly improvements of Fairbury's municipal water system. The city council is currently exploring solutions to rising nitrates at Fairbury's current water source.

The other $750,000 of the funds is going toward small business and entrepreneurship support. When applying for the grants, officials said the money would go toward creating a local fund for small business and entrepreneurship support and/or the creation of a multi-use business incubation center. 

One other grant application from the city as well as applications from the Fairbury Housing Authority and Jefferson County Historical Society did not receive funds. 

The City of Beatrice did receive one grant worth $400,000. The town had applied for two grants, one for sanitary sewer infrastructure improvements and one for downtown beautification. The DED did not specify which one was awarded funds.