$1M CDBG grant for Lukjan approved

Sidney City Council Tuesday approved a $1 million community development block grant for Lukjan Metal Products Inc.

The state funds will be issued to Lukjan for acquisition of facilities at 1 Greenwood Drive and other development costs.

“The applicant is actually the city,” Star Lehl, Nebraska Department of Economic Development consultant, said. “The state grants that money to the city and then the city goes through the non-profit development organization.”

She added, “The invoices are submitted to the NDO, and they actually pay the invoices.”

According to Lehl, $800,000 of the grant is forgiven.

“They have committed to provide 30 full-time jobs for a period of 12 months. They need to be offered or made available to a low to moderate income person,” she said. “The other $200,000 will be paid back at 0 percent interest back to the NDO and that will be earmarked for projects in Sidney.”

In addition to the CDBG, the City of Sidney approved a $500,000 LB-840 grant for Lukjan earlier this month.

Lehl praised Lukjan’s efforts in coming to Sidney.

“It’s a great company,” she said. “I think they’re going to be a great partner with the city.”

In other business:

Two appointments were made to the Economic Development Citizen’s Advisory Review Committee.

Only two applications were received, Melissa Norgard, economic development director, said.

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