Good Life District open house educates Grand Island residents
Grand Island leaders are working to make sure their residents are well-informed ahead of a special election.
July 31, 2024Updated: July 31, 2024
By News Channel Nebraska
By News Channel NebraskaGRAND ISLAND, Neb. - - Grand Island leaders are working to make sure their residents are well-informed ahead of a special election.
Grow Grand Island hosted an open house Wednesday afternoon to answer questions people might have about the proposed economic development program meant to pair with the city’s newly approved Good Life District.
Committee member Tonja Brown says events like this allow people to get educated about the election.
“When people have questions and they don’t have a good way to get them answered. Then they are not able to arrive at their vote, they don’t feel comfortable with their vote. But the fact that people will talk to other people, anyone who was here tonight and got their questions answered will talk to their neighbors, they’ll talk to their friends and they’ll say ‘no, no, no I know that answer, I was at the open house I got that answer’," Brown said. "I think some of the best information or best way to get information out is organically.”
Good Life Districts were authorized by the Legislature in 2023. The state sales tax is slashed in half in approved districts. Grand Island is seeking to replace the reduced tax with a city tax that would help fund public infrastructure costs for a new development within the district.
Members say they have been active on social media answering questions.
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.