The Nebraska Bankers Association board of directors recently awarded a grant of $25,000 to the Boyd County Rural Water District #2 to assist with recovery and rebuilding efforts after this spring’s historic, deadly flooding in the state.
Since March, the NBA has worked closely with the Nebraska Community Foundation and Nebraska United Ways to establish the Bank On Nebraska Strong fund which has raised nearly $145,000 to date. This donation is the first to be granted from the fund.
“The NBA board of directors decision to contribute $25,000 to the Water District was an easy one because of the devastating impact the flood and the collapse of the Spencer dam had on the area,” said NBA Chairman Alan Emshoff, President & CEO of Generations Bank in Exeter. “The chance for bankers to help bankers, their customers, and communities, is an important part of what banks and bankers do within their communities throughout Nebraska.”
Boyd County Rural Water District #2 is struggling to repair approximately 1,500 feet of pipe that crosses beneath the Niobrara River and carries drinking water to the county. The non-profit government entity supplies water to the towns of Spencer, Lynch and Anoka, as well as 500 local farms and ranches.
“I’ve lived in Boyd County the majority of my life and have never seen damage like this. It’s difficult to watch our farmers, communities, and bank customers struggle through the recovery and rebuilding process. While the initial size of devastation caught the eyes and ears of many, some seem to have forgotten we still have people going without access to clean water,” said Craig Brewster president and CEO of Butte State Bank, Spencer. “I’m very honored to be a part of an association like the NBA that steps up to the plate when needed. The $25,000 offered will greatly assist the water district as the pieces are put back together.”
The NBA is currently accepting grant applications. The application form and grant request guidelines are available on the NBA’s Disaster Relief webpage Grants will be considered and awarded until all available Bank On Nebraska Strong funds are disbursed. Grant recipients must use awarded funds by July 1, 2020.