Nebraska Department of Economic Development announces Rural Workforce Housing Fund recipients
STATEWIDE, Neb. – 12 Nebraska economic organizations are recipients of a total of $12,540,000 in funds from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
The DED announced the awards Tuesday to select communities with the money coming from the Rural Workforce Housing Fund.
Authorized by the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act of 2017, the RWHF helps communities create quality, affordable housing to accommodate growth.
For the 2024 funding cycle, RWHF awards were available to eligible non-profit development organizations who supplied at least a twenty-five percent match.
| Rural Workforce Housing Fund Recipients, March 2025 | |||
| Recipient | Project Area | Local Match | RWHF Award |
| Center for Rural Affairs | Schuyler, York | $520,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Community of Butte Development Corporation | Butte | $150,000 | $400,000 |
| Cuming County Economic Development | West Point | $700,000 | $700,000 |
| Grand Island Area Economic Development Corp. | Grand Island | $300,000 | $1,200,000 |
| Hastings Economic Development Corporation | Hastings | $550,000 | $1,500,000 |
| Merrick County Development Corp. | Central City | $361,200 | $1,200,000 |
| Midwest Housing Initiatives | Beatrice, Nebraska City | $350,000 | $950,000 |
| NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska | Columbus | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
| NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska | Norfolk | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Niobrara Development Incorporated | Niobrara | $100,000 | $400,000 |
| North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corp. | North Platte | $610,000 | $1,190,000 |
| Sherman County Economic Development, Inc. | Loup City, Sherman County | $300,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Total | $4,941,200 | $12,540,000 | |
“In the current market, it’s challenging to develop reasonably priced housing in rural areas,” said DED Director K.C. Belitz.
“Rural Workforce Housing Fund awards can be matched with local dollars to create a revolving loan fund to finance housing construction. Upon sale of the housing units, money is repaid to the fund so that it can be loaned again. This creates an ongoing funding instrument to help develop affordable housing in rural communities.”
For more information about the RWHF program, visit opportunity.nebraska.gov
