Good Life Transformational Projects Program

Takes applications for creating “Good Life Districts,” where transactions subject to the sales and taxes are taxed at a reduced rate, and tracking the progress of district investments to ensure they remain qualified for the special status.

A description of the proposed project to be undertaken within the good life district, including a description of any existing development, an estimate of the total new development costs for the project, and an estimate of the number of new jobs to be created as a result of the project; (b) A map identifying the good life district to be used for purposes of the project; (c) A description of the proposed financing of the project; (d) Documentation of local financial commitment to support the project, including all public and private resources pledged or committed to the project and including a copy of any operating agreement or lease with substantial users of the project area; and (e) Sufficient documents, plans, and specifications as required by the department to define the project, including the following: (i) A statement of how the jobs and taxes obtained from the project will contribute significantly to the economic development of the state and region; (ii) Visitation expectations and a plan describing how the number of visitors to the good life district will be tracked and reported on an annual basis; (iii) Any unique qualities of the project; (iv) An economic impact study, including the anticipated effect of the project on the regional and statewide economies; (v) Project accountability, measured according to best industry practices; (vi) The expected return on state and local investment the project is anticipated to produce. This determination shall account for lost revenue from the sales of the same goods or services in other areas of the State attributable to the proposed District resulting in an estimate of a “net” expected return as described in the economic impact analysis submitted with the application; and (vii) A summary of community involvement, participation, and support for the project.

(1) A project is eligible if: (a) The applicant demonstrates that the total new development costs of the project will exceed: (i) One billion dollars if the project will be located in a city of the metropolitan class; (ii) Seven hundred fifty million dollars if the project will be located in a city of the primary class; (iii) Five hundred million dollars if the project will be located in a city of the first class, city of the second class, or village within a county with a population of one hundred thousand inhabitants or more; or (iv) One hundred million dollars if the project will be located in a city of the first class, city of the second class, or village within a county with a population of less than one hundred thousand inhabitants; (b) The applicant demonstrates that the project will directly or indirectly result in the creation of: (i) One thousand new jobs if the project will be located in a city of the metropolitan class; (ii) Five hundred new jobs if the project will be located in a city of the primary class; (iii) Two hundred fifty new jobs if the project will be located in a city of the first class, city of the second class, or village within a county with a population of one hundred thousand inhabitants or more; or (iv) Fifty new jobs if the project will be located in a city of the first class, city of the second class, or village within a county with a population of less than one hundred thousand inhabitants; and (c)(i) For a project that will be located in a county with a population of one hundred thousand inhabitants or more, the applicant demonstrates that, upon completion of the project, at least twenty percent of sales at the project will be made to persons residing outside the State of Nebraska or the project will generate a minimum of six hundred thousand visitors per year who reside outside the State of Nebraska and the project will attract new-to-market retail to the state and will generate a minimum of three million visitors per year; or (ii) For a project that will be located in a county with a population of less than one hundred thousand inhabitants, the applicant demonstrates that, upon completion of the project, at least twenty percent of sales at the project will be made to persons residing outside the State of Nebraska. (23) The applicant must certify that any anticipated diversion of state sales tax revenue (as defined in the Guidelines) will be offset or exceeded by sales tax paid on anticipated development costs, including construction to real property, during the same 25-year period. (43) A project is not eligible if the project includes a licensed racetrack enclosure or an authorized gaming operator as such terms are defined in section 9-1103.

Resources: General and Program-specific user guides and videos can be found at https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/amplifund/. Statewide Relay System: Individuals, who are hearing and/or speech impaired and have a TTY, may contact the Department through the Statewide Relay System by calling (800) 833-7352 (TTY) or (800) 833-0920 (voice). The relay operator should be asked to call DED at (800) 426-6505 or (402) 471-3111.