Senator wants to set the record straight on the Revitalize Rural Nebraska bill

A recent column in this publication showed no understanding of the constraints on city governments regarding rundown properties, citing LB 45.

While it would be most desirable for all property owners to keep their properties in peak condition, that is not the reality; thus, communities across the state are left with buildings which continue to deteriorate.

Let me start at the beginning of how the Revitalize Rural Nebraska law came about. Another senator and I were contacted by a small town, not in Gage County, not even in my District, which had several dilapidated buildings in their commercial downtown area. The town invited us to see how rundown these buildings were and told us how expensive they would be to renovate.

Some buildings were stand-alone and other structures were in-between other businesses. Many of the buildings had major water damage, caved in roofs, structural damage, mold, infestations and many other issues. Most problems stem from absentee or deceased landowners, or owners without the financial means to repair the buildings, which could cost thousands and thousands of dollars.

After we spoke with representatives from this town, we formed a working group to discuss ideas and looked at how other states deal with this issue. Eventually we developed LB 45, Revitalize Rural Nebraska. This working group kept the focus on small villages and towns. Villages with populations of 100 to 800, and cities of the second class with 800-5,000 people, have the first priority of funding in this competitive grant process. Applicants must have a percentage of matching funds available as well. If all the funds are not used at the end of the grant period, then communities with populations of 5,000 to 100,000 may apply to the competitive grant process. The program is administered by the Department of Environment and Energy, and no senator has a part in the grant process.

The day of the legislative hearing in 2023, I shared dozens of pictures of dilapidated buildings across the state, none of which came from the community of Beatrice. All the photos were from towns of less than 5,000. These communities may struggle with declining populations, slower economic development, and no developer interested in taking on these expensive holdings. And remember, these communities must have a percentage of matching funds, so they have a financial stake in this process.

There was no opposing testimony to LB 45 at the hearing, not even from the author of the recent editorial, nor was a letter submitted from him in opposition. This bill was rolled into a package of economic development bills, passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor.

So far 15 villages and towns have received approval for a portion of a one-million-dollar appropriation which only began accepting applications on January 15th of this year. This conservative investment by the state shows significant support for our rural communities. These communities are investing in the future of their town, investing in the safety of their community and investing in the potential to enhance their commercial downtown area.

I stand by LB 45, the Revitalize Rural Nebraska program, and I stand by these small communities’ leaders who brought the issue to my attention. I believe in our small towns across the state, it is regrettable that the editorial writer thought these towns were not worthy of the state’s investment. Any communities wishing to learn more about this important program should contact the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.

— Sen. Myron Dorn District 30, Adams mdorn@leg.ne.gov