GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska — Grand Island voters say yes, becoming the first in Nebraska to put the “good life” into motion in a new way.
Unofficial results show overwhelming support for a new economic development plan designed to generate sales tax revenue and create new attractions to attract tourists.
Preliminary election results show 5044 in favor and 2415 against. These results are not final.
Tonja Brown busily updated her laptop and waited for the results.
“I like it,” she said cautiously. Upon closer inspection, she put an exclamation mark under that statement.
“I like that!” she said with a big smile on her face.
The chairwoman of the Good Life District Committee had taken bets on the outcome, and the winner’s margin was larger than expected.
“It’s really exciting to be in this place now,” she said.
The election was a tough sell on a brand new concept: a state law that offers incentives to select counties to grow retail.
Brown said, “It’s complicated and simple at the same time. It was just difficult to explain to voters in the short time frame what this means for Grand Island and the entire state.”
Within the designated Good Life District, the city will collect sales tax revenue that currently goes to the state. Businessman Pat O’Neill says many find it hard to believe.
“Many people think this is too good to be true. Why should the state give up that revenue?” he said. “The simple answer is: To get your Good Life District approved, you have to prove that 20 percent of the people who visit that sports complex or shopping and entertainment district are from out of state. You have to prove to the state that you are generating more tax revenue than you are giving up.”
As the confetti flew, some community leaders said the vote was comparable to other milestones. The last quarter century brought a voter-funded local economic development plan and the construction of the Heartland Events Center, which paved the way for the Nebraska State Fair, now in its 15th year in Grand Island. This now creates 30 years of revenue that could bring in hundreds of millions by creating new attractions that draw visitors, and that’s what appealed to some voters.
Kelly Hranac cast her ballot on Tuesday. She said, “I believe voting yes is the right way to go.”
“I think it’s a great opportunity for Grand Island to grow. Grand Island needs to grow to bring more people into our community,” said Rita Hamik.
Supporters see this as a defining moment that allows the community to dream big, even beyond past successes like the State Fair.
“This has gone unnoticed so far, but I believe it will be bigger than everything you’ve mentioned combined,” said Pat O’Neill.
Now it’s up to the City of Grand Island to develop the economic development plan for the Good Life District and determine how to use the revenue to fund proposed improvements, such as a sports complex and housing.
