Bellevue Mayor Rita Sanders, Finance Director Rich Severson and CDBG Program Administrator Abby Highland joined Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development at a ceremony Monday morning to recognize Community Development Week in Nebraska. Governor Ricketts proclaimed the week of April 17- 22 Community Development Week in Nebraska. A press release on Nebraska's official website states, "Starting in 1974, the Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program has provided communities across the state of Nebraska and the country with the necessary resources to address development challenges. Throughout the week of April 17 – April 22, communities all over the country will celebrate the accomplishments they have achieved which helped them prosper and grow".
Mayor Sanders and the City of Bellevue also took the opportunity to recognize the important impact of the CDBG program in our community by presenting the Sarpy County Museum with Bellevue's CDBG Achievement Award for 2017.
In 2014, the Sarpy County Museum was presented with the opportunity to acquire a Union Pacific Caboose, built in 1869 and the oldest in Nebraska. The Museum completed fundraising efforts to assist with the relocation and restoration of the caboose. The City of Bellevue was excited to partner with the Sarpy County Museum through the CDBG program with a grant in the amount of $31,500.00 to assist with the addition of a safe and ADA accessible pathway and ramp to allow all who visit the museum, including those with limited mobility, access to the Caboose exhibit. By offering this access, Bellevue residents and families can learn and cultivate an appreciation of the rich history between Union Pacific and the Bellevue Community.
The Sarpy County Museum's Executive Director Ben Justman was on hand to accept the award and the City of Bellevue would like to thank the Sarpy County Museum for opportunity to partner with them to improve and enhance our community.
The full press release from the State of Nebraska's Website can be accessed at the following link: http://opportunity.nebraska.gov/news/684-april-2017/1955-celebrating-achievements-in-community-development-across-the-state
For more information on the City of Bellevue's CDBG Program please go to: http://www.bellevue.net/departments/cdbg/overview