Ecocomic Opportunity Program

Eligible Applicants

Additional Requirements

- Projects must show a clear need for transportation improvements that will enhance economic prosperity within the State of Nebraska. - Projects must either lead to immediate creation or retention of permanent, high quality, private sector jobs, or to new private capital investment in Nebraska. New jobs must be at or above the median wage for the applicant’s region. - Only local public entities (e.g. Nebraska cities, counties, or MPOs) can apply for EOP funding, but NDOT encourages supporting participation by private sector beneficiaries. - Applicants must provide matching funds equal to at least 25% of the total eligible transportation project costs. Monetary matches are preferred, but in kind contribution are permitted. Other state funds cannot be used as part of the local match. - EOP funds may only cover transportation-related costs. - EOP funds may not be used to support certain population-serving or location-specific development, such as retail and restaurant establishments or mining. - EOP funds may not be used to support speculative opportunities with no link to a specific and immediate business prospect. - EOP funding must be a deciding factor for the project to commence. Projects which are already committed to proceeding in Nebraska will not receive EOP funding. - By Nebraska law, an economic impact assessment of the project must show a positive economic impact. NDOT will conduct this assessment based on information provided by applicants in their application material. - EOP funded projects must be in compliance with the Nebraska Archaeological Resources Preservation Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. 82-505). Compliance is the responsibility of the project sponsor, however NDOT will provide guidance. - A contract between the public sector sponsor and private firm undertaking development will be required. - Any business that will benefit from an EOP project must be identified to NDOT and is expected to provide credible evidence of development plans for the site served by the project. - Applicants are responsible for ensuring that funds received through the EOP are used to aid development that either creates or retains jobs, or results in significant capital investment in Nebraska. Funds used in projects that do not meet this basic program goal are subject to recapture by the Nebraska Department of Transportation. - All applications will be evaluated based on their merits in areas such as necessity of EOP grant for enabling business development, priority industry for Nebraska, number and expected wage level of anticipated jobs, level of private capital investment, impact on the local community, applicant's match level, potential for future economic development opportunities, transportation benefits, and grant

Geographic Eligibility

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