(KLZA)-- Following a presentation by Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise Executive Director Lucas Froeschl and an executive session Monday evening, the Falls City Council approved a directive to begin negotiations with the Omaha Public Power District in regards to a wholesale agreement in relation to the LB 977 grant application as recommended by the Board of Public Works.
In 2022 the Nebraska Legislature approved LB 977, which helped create a $15 million grant that, in 2023, with some language adjustments to the original bill, tailored it specifically for Falls City.
Froeschl said it has been about 15 years in getting to this point and determining the best use of the money for rate payers and the future of Falls City.
Falls City does not have the capability to receive enough electricity from OPPD at the present time to supply additional large electrical users,despite having a piece of ownership in the Nebraska City 2, a coal fired power plant at Nebraska City due to limitations of the line supplying power to Falls City.
In 2009 Falls City invested $7 million in the NC2 power plant to secure affordable power for Falls City but there is only one line feeding Falls City.
Due to the inability to receive all the power needed, at times Falls City has had to go out on the open market for additional power at higher rates that what power from the NC2 plant would have cost.
Froeschl noted that with only 1.5 to around 2 megawatts of extra power available it makes recruiting companies to Falls City especially challenging.
Froeschl noted that a 10-year period of large investments in Falls City and the surrounding area, amounting to about $115 million have made the community more desirable for companies looking to locate a new or expanded business. Those investments included a new hospital, new aquatic park, a new library, a new Missouri River Bridge at Rulo, additional back-up power generation at the power plant, a new road to the industrial park, the Grand Weaver Hotel, a new motel by private investors and SNC's fiber to the home project and downtown improvements.
If the project for additional power comes to fruition, it would provide in the neighborhood of 10 additional megawatts of power to the community.
LB977 was created to help expand electrical system capabilities and enhance redundancy and resiliency.
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development is now accepting applications for those grant funds through the Site and Building Development Fund.
© Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Atchison apt fire claim's toddler's life, injures others
Four arrested for illegal activity on Kickapoo Reservation
One injured in Nemaha Co wreck
Wetmore man arrested on child sex-related charge
Walnut Township Treasurer removed; votes unofficial until canvass
Effingham woman killed Friday in Atchison wreck
Rural Horton man arrested on multiple drug charges
TX man to stand trial on charges in fatal Jackson Co crash
USD 430 Board accepts resignations, approves new hires
Local judge files for re-election
Atchison in running for national fireworks honors
Bridge work begins Wed in Doniphan Co
Meteorologist Spencer: Geometric Watch means electronic disruptions
Latest Brown, Doniphan Co filings
Street lights to be discussed at Monday city meeting
BC's Pate remembered by students, college family
Planned outage for Brown-Atchison Electric Tuesday
Motorcyclist injured in Holt Co MO crash
LATEST STORIES
Effingham woman killed Friday in Atchison wreck
Street lights to be discussed at Monday city meeting
Truck fire at CGB facility in Falls City
Bridge work scheduled for Atchison County MO
Meteorologist Spencer: Geometric Watch means electronic disruptions
Rural Horton man arrested on multiple drug charges
Recycling program discussed at Doniphan Co meeting
Two candidates file for Jackson Co attorney