Nebraska Department of Transportation’s Infrastructure Hub or “iHub” is a first-of-its-kind service that assists communities statewide in finding, applying for, and maintaining federal grants to fund local transportation improvement projects. The program has helped more than 25 Nebraska communities in securing and managing federal grants for local transportation projects. In just 18 months, iHub has supported over 20 awarded entities, guiding project development, proposal writing, and implementation. Prompted by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or IIJA’s shift to allow local public agencies (LPAs) to directly receive federal funds – and Nebraska’s status as a federal funds swap state – iHub addresses the gap in grant writing and project delivery expertise that left rural communities unable to compete. Costing $2.3 million, Nebraska DOT developed a grant-matching portal and project feasibility tool to support LPAs in navigating complex federal programs. The IIJA catalyzed iHub’s creation to help communities build safer, more connected, and sustainable transportation systems – all the while better positioning Nebraska to take full advantage of this once-in-a-generation investment.
America's Transportation Awards 