Railside Festoon Lighting, (Krecklow Films, Courtesy)
GRAND ISLAND — A press conference is planned by the Good Life For Grand Island political committee on Thursday, July 11, at 10 a.m., at the Veteran’s Sports Complex to kick off a campaign to encourage voters to vote “FOR” passage of a proposed economic development program related to the city’s newly approved Good Life District.
Good Life Districts were authorized by the Legislature in 2023 as a tool to enhance the retail, entertainment, and tourism industries and attract more out-of-state visitors. The state will cut half of the Nebraska sales tax within a Good Life District and allow cities to redirect it locally for district development. But local tax initiatives must first be approved by local voters.
The Grand Island City Council recently approved the Aug. 13 special election in which voters will be asked to vote for or against the creation of an economic development program via a mail-in ballot. See the ballot language and this list of answers to frequently asked questions. Ballots can be mailed in or dropped off at the Hall County Election Commissioner’s office, located at 121 South Pine Street, but they must be received by 5:00pm on August 13.
“This is an incredible opportunity for Grand Island,” said Tonja Brown, treasurer of Good Life For Grand Island. “There are only five Good Life Districts allowed in the entire state and we are the third to be announced. This can easily be considered the greatest growth opportunity for Grand Island since the city became incorporated in 1872. It will be transformational.”
“By voting FOR and approving this economic development program, Grand Island will be able to redirect half of the state’s sales tax within the district to be used locally to develop the district. This is a significant investment offered by the state of Nebraska for local economic development and it comes with NO increase to taxpayers.”
Good Life For Grand Island has been initially funded by several organizations, including Grow Grand Island, Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation, Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce, Woodsonia, Nebraska State Fair, Fonner Park, Equitable Bank, and Grand Island Sports Council.
