The Urban Affairs Committee heard testimony this week on LB564, the Change the Civic and Community Center Financing Act introduced by Senator Kate Bolz.
The Civic and Community Center Financing Act is an economic development tool designed to provide state grants for development of civic, community and recreation centers. These grants are administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and are awarded to projects that encourage and foster quality of life and growth within our communities. Senator Bolz has introduced LB564 to revise the definition of facilities eligible to receive funding under the Civic and Community Center Financing Act.
It’s estimated that Nebraska loses over 3,000 people every year. As a result, there are more than 58,000 vacant jobs across the state. As efforts are being made to attract a qualified workforce to fill these vacancies, we must also ensure that communities are equipped to support the needs of working parents. Access to quality child care must be a top priority as we look to attract a qualified workforce.
Under the proposed changes in LB564, facilities that offer services such as child care, senior centers, incubators, etc., which encourage maintenance or growth of communities, could be eligible to receive grant funding under the Civic and Community Center Financing Act.
First Five Nebraska applauds Senator Bolz’s efforts to encourage growth and prosperity in Nebraska. LB564 offers an innovative solution to address some of Nebraska’s child care shortages.