Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

Wind energy means so much more to Nebraska than just increasing our energy independence. For much of rural Nebraska, it means more jobs, economic development, landowner and community involvement, and more opportunity to grow our cities and towns.  Harnessing this state resource diversifies the state’s energy generation portfolio with a renewable and clean source.  

Two and a half years ago, I signed into law passed LB 1048 to encourage the development, ownership and operation of renewable energy facilities for exporting wind energy from Nebraska. At that time, Nebraska had 73 operational wind turbines at five sites with a total capacity of 152 megawatts, enough to power about 46,500 homes. 

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman today announced that the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) honored the State of Nebraska with the association’s State Technology Innovator award. Brenda Decker, Chief Information Officer, accepted the award at a ceremony in San Diego.

OCTOBER 31, 2012 (LINCOLN, NEB.)—The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (NDED) will conduct a public comment period, November 8, 2012 through December 10, 2012 to take remarks of citizens and local government officials regarding the Proposed 2013 Annual Action Plan (AAP). 

This public comment period also includes two public videoconferences and concerns the distribution of approximately $9 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, $2.7 million in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds, $956,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG) funds, and $347,000 in Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and $1.5 million in Homeless Shelter Assistance Trust Fund (HSATF) funds, and $6 million in Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) funds.

Get Nebraska’s latest on economic development at the free 2012 briefing hosted by DED, to be held Wednesday, December 5, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (CT) in Lincoln at the State Capitol, room 1126. Lunch will be provided by the Nebraska Public Power District.

DED will host only one briefing in 2012, and is geared to new economic developers and others interested in economic development programs and services. DED staff talks about components that make up the state’s economic growth and development, including existing business retention and expansion, housing, community development, and innovation and entrepreneurship.

Reservations are required. Please register no later than Wednesday, November 28 with Lori Cole at lori.a.cole@nebraska.gov, 402-471-3746, or toll-free at 800-426-6505.