Dear fellow Nebraskan,
Improving infrastructure in the developing communities of Nebraska’s 2nd District is a priority of mine because it is vital for economic development and job creation. I have voted for legislation aiming to provide federal grants to populations in need. Recently, I secured funding to replace 92 miles of natural gas pipeline in Omaha and Wahoo and for Bennington’s Neumeyer Farm project.
As a member of multiple bipartisan caucuses, I know that cooperation creates action. That’s why I supported H.R.3684, the "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" to provide new funding for infrastructure projects across the country, including improvement of roads, public transit, and energy transmission. My vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was representative of our community, as it provides needed resources to enhance safety and create jobs.
In the law, $1 billion was allocated for Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM), the portion of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) aimed at decreasing the safety risks of natural gas pipelines in underserved communities. On April 30, 2024, I was excited to announce that Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) and the City of Wahoo received a total of $26.5 million to replace 92 miles of antiquated and leaking pipes. Many of the pipes to be replaced are in old sections of MUD’s service area that desperately need service. The City of Wahoo received $1.35 million of the grant to replace 2.15 miles of natural gas infrastructure. Securing this funding is an important step toward constructing safer working environments and creating good-paying jobs for Nebraskans.
Updated gathering spaces are necessary for a thriving community. As the communities in Nebraska’s 2nd District continue to grow, I will continue to support projects that contribute to success. I supported H.R. 4366, the "Consolidated Appropriations Act" to secure funding for important projects such as these. In the law, $2.1 million was given to the City of Bennington’s Neumeyer Farm project. Neumeyer Farm is in the heart of Bennington, one of Nebraska’s fastest growing communities. The goal of the project is to expand the parkland, trail system, and youth athletic facilities in the 50-acre park. Once completed, the complex will contain seven regulation-size athletic fields, parking for nearly 800 vehicles, and large community gathering space. This development will provide new and enhanced amenities for Bennington’s rapidly increasing population, as it doubled between 2010 and 2020. In addition, Neumeyer Farm will drive economic development by bringing thousands of athletes and spectators to Bennington for sporting events and enticing businesses to invest in the area. I believe investing in communities such as Bennington crucial in developing new centers of population growth and economic activity.
Investing in the communities of Nebraska’s 2nd District will continue to bring prosperity, and I will fight for safe and improved infrastructure for all. I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity to represent the people of Nebraska. As always, if you have any questions or need help with a federal agency, please reach out to me here or call my office at (402) 938-0300.
ge.
