Communities across Nebraska are recognizing quality child care and education programs as a crucial component in addressing our state’s workforce crisis. Child care boosts Nebraska businesses, keeps local economies thriving and supports working families while providing safe, nurturing environments for young children.
Local Option Municipal Economic Development Funds, often known as LB840, offer a practical way communities can strengthen their local early childhood infrastructure. Created by the Nebraska Legislature in 1991 with passage of LB840, this funding option authorizes cities and villages, if approved by local voters, to collect and appropriate tax dollars, including sales and/or property tax, for economic development purposes. In 2019, the Legislature amended the bill language to include early childhood care and education programs as qualifying businesses.
These sales tax-funded economic development programs can be confusing and differ greatly across communities. To help economic developers, business leaders and community advocates take advantage of this funding option, we’re excited to share our new video, Economic Development for Early Childhood: Understanding LB840.
Hosted by Mike Feeken, First Five Nebraska Strategic Partnerships Advisor, this is the first video in a series highlighting Local Municipal Option funds and how they can be used to boost child care programs statewide. Other videos in the series will include interviews with community leaders who have successfully used these funds for early childhood initiatives.
Stay up to date on Economic Development for Early Childhood by subscribing to FFN’s newsletter and YouTube channel.
Additional Resources
Understanding LB840 Economic Development Funding for Child Care
Map: Nebraska Communities with Local LB840 Plans
Booklet: LB840 – A Guide to Program Implementation
