Missile silo bill could aid economy in western Nebraska communities

    With the 150 missile launch facilities in western Nebraska, eastern Wyoming and northern Colorado that are scheduled to be upgraded by the military, a need is present for communities around the sites to provide services and infrastructure to assist the work.
    LB 712, introduced during this year’s legislative session, would assist the work in the communities, and, according to Dist. 44 Senator Teresa Ibach, might present an opportunity for towns in western Nebraska that are near the sites.
    LB 712, called the “Ground Based Strategic Deterrent Deployment Fund,” was introduced by Senator Brian Hardin of Scottsbluff, and would provide $26 million to support  communities who take part in the project.
    “It is a really intriguing bill that could have tertiary effects on the towns around the silo areas,” Ibach said during her weekly call-in Tuesday.
    According to information provided by Sen. Hardin’s office, the silos currently house the Minuteman III missile, which were developed in the 1960s and 70s and will be upgraded to house a new missile known as the Sentinel.
    Also, according to Sen. Hardin’s office, infrastructure that will be needed to complete the project will include roads, water access, wastewater access, electricity availability and potentially workforce housing.
    Ibach said she is watching the bill, and will further discuss details of the bill with Sen. Hardin. She is also planning to be in contact with members of the League of Nebraska Municipalities to discuss how the bill could potentially be utilized by western Nebraska communities.
Other legislation
    Among other bills Ibach is watching include the following:
    LB 213: Extends the Nebraska Job Creation and Mainstreet Job Development Act.
    LB 562: The “E-15 Access Standard Act,” which would support ethanol in Nebraska.
    LB 503: A nursing scholarship administered by HHS under the Rural Nebraska Workforce Act.
    Sen. Ibach encourages constituents to reach out to her with questions or comments on any bill being heard now in the Legislature.