$350,000 Grant In The Works To Revitalize Downtown Neligh

The City of Neligh is working with Miller and Associates out of Kearney to develop a downtown revitalization plan. Neligh  was awarded a grant from the State of Nebraska to develop the plan.  

Once the plan is complete, it will gain Neligh access to apply for Phase II of the State’s Downtown Revitalization program, which if awarded, would give Neligh $350,000 to implement the plan that is currently in development. 

“Our downtown district is important.  Neligh is home to over 160 businesses, more than 70 of those businesses are located within the defined 11 block downtown district,” Neligh Economic Development Director Greg Ptacek said. “Investing in the heart of our business community will do a lot of good for Neligh.”

The planning process will be developed over the next 3 to 6 months via several community meetings, one-on-one conversations with downtown business owners and assessments by architects.  The City will look at the downtown infrastructure, building conditions/needs and barriers to business.

“The Downtown Revitalization grant program through the State of Nebraska is a very beneficial program that is truly serving the needs of Nebraska’s communities,” said Brenda Jensen, lead planner on the project.

She said it is important to ensure Neligh is gathering input from Downtown business and building owners as well as the general public.  That will tie goals together that fit the wants and needs of the business owners and the people who are shopping in Downtown Neligh. 
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“Developing a theme or a brand for Neligh’s Downtown District will help with marketing efforts as well as help create a unique sense of place that will attract people Downtown,” she said.