OMAHA - Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) Director K.C. Belitz defended his agency’s management of approximately $235 million in grants intended to support economic recovery and revitalization in North and South Omaha during a legislative committee hearing Wednesday. Members of the Legislature’s Economic Recovery Special Committee questioned DED officials about the administration and oversight of the North and South Omaha Recovery Grant Program, which was originally funded through federal COVID-19 relief dollars. The state later exchanged federal funding for state dollars on certain projects to provide greater flexibility in meeting spending deadlines. The hearing highlighted lawmakers’ concerns about the management of the funds and the agency’s responsibility to ensure the money is distributed and used effectively to support economic development in Omaha’s historically underserved communities.

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