KEARNEY, Neb. — The city of Kearney is set to start an infrastructure development project in the northeast part of town, thanks to a $2.6 million federal grant from the Economic Development Administration. The funds will be used to enhance the area around 39th Street and Antelope Avenue to the East Expressway, which is currently home to warehouses and some commercial office buildings.
“We’re growing in all corners of the community, this just really helps fill in the gap there,” said Brenda Jensen, Kearney’s city manager.
The majority of the grant will be allocated to installing sanitary and sewage systems for businesses and property owners in the area. Additional work will include paving and water main work. City officials hope that investing in this region will yield long-term returns for taxpayers.
“[It] helps reduce the burden on the taxpayer while also stimulating growth within the community that helps our overall tax base and business entrepreneurs in the community too,” said Jensen.
The infrastructure improvements are expected to create an estimated 46 jobs and attract approximately $27 million in private investments between two existing businesses in the project zone, Rovar Park and Baetz Properties.
“It’ll serve those two existing property owners, and for decades into the future of Kearney for development on this east side of town,” Jensen said.
With roughly 400 newly developed acres, and residential spaces west of Antelope that could compliment the space, Kearney hopes business owners will consider the area for expansion and new ventures.
“A current business will be able to expand their operations, and it will also open up to the east of that for someone to be able to build additional buildings that will allow new business creation within Kearney,” Jensen said.
Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and take approximately one year to complete.