GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - - Grand Island community leaders are rallying people to vote for the Good Life District Economic Development Program.

“Today starts a historic process that can improve Grand Island and build Grand Island for decades to come. You vote yes for the economic development program and your children, and your grandchildren and future generation of Grand Islanders will have reason to thank you,” Mayor Roger Steele said.

The Good Life for Grand Island campaign kicked off Thursday morning to encourage the community to vote for a proposed economic development program related to the city’s newly approved Good Life District.

Good Life Districts were authorized by the legislature last year. The state has approved an application from developer Woodsonia to classify a planned $550 million project as a Good Life District.

Starting October 1, the state sales tax rate within the district will be reduced from 5.5% to 2.75%. The city has called a special election to install a city sales tax of 2.75% to replace the reduced amount.

“Probably the most important thing that people should know is that this economic development program that we want them to vote for, does not increase their sales tax,"committee member Tonja Brown said. "We want sales tax consistent across the community and it also does not use property tax."

But how does an economic development program benefit the city? 

The city will be able to use the money generated by the tax for public infrastructure costs related to the Good Life District. 

If the people vote against the program, Woodsonia could still try to build the development but it wouldn't be the same.

"They will probably scale back, they will probably choose not to do pieces and parts of it, and then I think eventually the state says we're not meeting the objectives of the good life district and they'll pass it along to another lucky community," Brown said.

Right now, the proposed development includes an indoor sports complex, a turf outdoor sports complex, a business park, single family homes, apartments and enhancements to Eagle Scout Lake.

Grand Island is only the third Good Life District to be approved in the state. This is the first one where voters get to decide. 

“We want to highlight our state, we want to highlight our community," Brown said. "This is what draws people quality of life, opportunity.”

Ballots can be mailed in or dropped off at the Hall County Election Commissioner's office and must be received by 5:00 pm on August 13.