Harvest is in full swing and things have become busy for us. We just finished harvesting soybeans and are now on to harvesting corn. Due to very dry weather and high winds, we have had to be extremely careful as we have had a high chance for fires to develop. We are watching for Red Flag Warnings as they are announced.

The USDA Rural Development office from the U. S. Department of Agriculture announced last week that $3.55 million in investments are being awarded to nine Nebraska projects to improve educational and business opportunities for rural businesses and Native American tribes. “Rural Development is excited to partner with these community institutions of education and entrepreneurship,” said Cindy Axne Rural Development Senior Advisor for Rural Engagement, Delivery and Prosperity. “When we invest in our rural community partners, we strengthen Nebraska and expand opportunities for all the people in the state.

Congratulations go out to the following projects in Legislative District 17.

• A $199,368 grant will help expand and enhance the Makerspace Project in Thurston and Knox counties for the Center for Rural Affairs. This project will provide technical assistance for prospective and current small business owners and expand Makerspace opportunities and offerings through online training courses and a video library of how-to videos. This project is expected to assist a minimum of seven small and emerging businesses over the next three years.
• A $900,000 grant will help construct a 6,195 square foot business incubator wing on the Nebraska Indian Community College in Macy. The business incubator space will include 10 private offices, two conference/meeting rooms, two classrooms, commercial kitchen space, recording studio, and a storage room. This project is anticipated to assist a minimum of four small and emerging businesses over the next three years.
• A $278,216 grant will help construct a Career and Technical Education (CTE) building on the Winnebago Reservation to house a carpentry/construction program. The facility will include space for a classroom, restrooms, a break room, an office, a mechanical and tool room. The new programming will increase enrollment at Little Priest Tribal College, bring in a different demographic, and aid in fulfilling the career and technical job needs of the Winnebago Tribal Community and employers of the area.
• A $259,150 grant will help purchase food processing, preservation, and packaging equipment for the Nebraska Indian Community College in Macy. The equipment will aid the training and distribution of agricultural products produced by the students to local markets. This project is anticipated to assist four small and emerging businesses over the next three years.
• A $300,000 grant will help continue rehabilitation and construction of the Susan LaFlesche Picotte Center of Walthill. This is a multi-phase project with total investment of over $2.5 million. Funding will continue construction for the business incubator and space for business training and entrepreneurial development. There will also be business services provided including business training and technical assistance. This project is expected to assist a minimum of eight small and emerging businesses over the next three years.

Today’s investments are being made through several different Rural Development programs. Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG) promote economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities. Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and community projects that serve rural areas.

Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grants (SDGG) provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups through cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers.

Tribal College Initiative Grants provides funding to 1994 Land Grant Institutions (Tribal Colleges) to make capital improvements to their educational facilities and to purchase equipment.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov. (USDA Rural Development U. S. Department of Agriculture. (16 October, 2024) USDA Rural Development Announces $3.55 Million in Investments in Native American and Community Facility Projects. [News Release] https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDARD/bulletins/3bc6879)

Nebraska Secretary of State Ballot Initiative Public Hearings

The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Elections Division began holding public hearings for the six ballot initiatives appearing on Nebraska’s general election ballot. “This is a record number of petition-initiated ballot measures on a Nebraska general election ballot,” Secretary of State Bob Evnen said. “Voters should take the time to review each measure before they step into the voting booth.” State law requires that the Secretary of State’s office hold public hearings in each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts. The Elections division prepared informational pamphlets on the ballot measures, which are available online in English and Spanish. You can find them at https://sos.nebraska.gov/elections/2024-elections.

Congressional District 1 took place at the State Capitol October 14th through October 16th.

Monday, Oct. 14 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT Paid Sick Leave Initiative (436) 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. CT Medical Cannabis Patient Protection & Regulation initiatives (437 & 438)
Tuesday, Oct. 15 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT Protect Women and Children Constitutional Amendment (434)
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. CT Protect the Right to Abortion Constitutional Amendment (439)
Wednesday, Oct. 16 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. CT Private Education Scholarship Partial Referendum (435)

Congressional District 3 will take place in Ogallala at the NACO West Training Center on October 21 and October 22. All times are in Mountain Time.

Monday, Oct. 21 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. MT Medical Cannabis Patient Protection & Regulation initiatives (437 & 438) 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. MT Paid Sick Leave Initiative (436)
Tuesday, Oct. 22 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. MT Private Education Scholarship Partial Referendum (435)
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. MT Protect the Right to Abortion Constitutional Amendment (439)
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. MT Protect Women and Children Constitutional Amendment (434)

Congressional District 2 will take place in Omaha at the Thompson Alumni Center. October 25 and October 26.

Friday, Oct. 25 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT Paid Sick Leave Initiative (436) 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. CT Medical Cannabis Patient Protection & Regulation initiatives (437 & 438)
Saturday, Oct. 26 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CT Protect Women and Children Constitutional Amendment (434)
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT Protect the Right to Abortion Constitutional Amendment (439)
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. CT Private Education Scholarship Partial Referendum (435)
(State of Nebraska Robert B. Evnen Secretary of State. (16 October, 2024) Public hearings scheduled for general election ballot measures. [News Release] https://shorturl.at/MGmmA)

As always, I invite you to let me know your thoughts, ideas, concerns, or suggestions by calling my office at (402) 471-2716 or emailing me at jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov.