SIDNEY -- The City of Sidney Economic Development Office hosted a "Lunch & Learn" event January 16 explaining some of the programs available for downtown revitalization.

Economic Development Director Brandy Stone, with David Welanko of Panhandle Area Development District (PADD) hosted a program today at Boss City Brewing. The Lunch & Learn event was designed as an opportunity for the community to learn what programs are available to improve buildings within Sidney.

Local incentive programs include the Sidney LB840 Economic Development Fund and Tax Increment Financing (TIF). State programs include the Nebraska Advantage Program, Rural Development Advantage, Nebraska Customized Job Training Advantage, Nebraska Advantage Research and Development Credit, Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise Tax Credit, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Capital Gains & Extraordinary Dividend Exclusion, and State and Local Sales Tax Exemptions of Manufacturing Machinery, Equipment and Related Services. 

There is also the Facade Enhancement Program administered by the Sidney Historic Preservation Board.

E3 Navigator Alisha Juelfs said the E3 program now has two staff in the program: herself and now Technical Writer Melissa Norgard. 

"We practice no wrong door here in Cheyenne County. So, you do have the Chamber (of Commerce), E3 and myself constantly working together. If you go to one of them, it will connect you with all of them. We try really hard to make sure we're constantly cooperating with each other," said Economic Development Director Brandy Stone.

Welanko explained how some of the programs operate as reimbursement incentives including Facade and Downtown Revitalization grants.

"You're putting all the money upfront, and then you're getting reimbursed as the project goes. You have to have this money upfront," he said.

He explained that the contractor will have to keep receipts to be submitted to him, who then turns them in to the State. The State issues a check to the contractor. 

"That's where the 25 percent comes from. You get a return, but you're paying 100 percent upfront, and then you'll get reimbursed up to 75 percent," Welanko said.

For more information on programs available in the Sidney area, see https://www.cityofsidney.org/218/Historic-Preservation-Board 

For more information on the Sidney Economic Development office, contact Brandy Stone at 308-254-8455, 308-249-4870 or https://www.cityofsidney.org/86/Economic-Development

For more information on PADD, see https://nepadd.com/

For more information on Sidney and Cheyenne County E3, contact Navigator Alisha Juelfs at 308-249-7746, or see https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=sidney%20%26%20cheyenne%20county%20e3