BELLEVUE — Despite not receiving all the state funding expected this year, supporters are pushing ahead with construction of a cybersecurity-focused campus that they believe will catapult Nebraska to the forefront of national security efforts. proceeding.
Harrison Johnson, Bellevue's economic and community development director, said construction could begin by the end of this year on the Prairie Hill Farm site northeast of Highways 75 and 34.
“We're moving full speed ahead,” Johnson said.
Germinated on 45 acres of farmland
This public-private venture is led by a team that includes the City of Bellevue and developer Burlington Capital.
As envisioned, the approximately 45-acre campus (with room for expansion) would include a six-story, 200,000-square-foot commercial facility focused on developing new national security technologies.
Residential buildings, hotel rooms, shops, and other office and commercial space will rise around the so-called REACH facility (Research, Engineering, and Architectural Collaboration Hub).
All aimed at creating an attractive area for academics and high-tech professionals working in the Cybersecurity Center.
The ultimate mission is to support the local and state economy and support the expansion of NC3 operations at U.S. Strategic Command at nearby Offutt Air Force Base. NC3 refers to nuclear command, control, and communications.
built in stages
Designed to be implemented in stages, the total investment in Prairie Hill Farm could exceed $600 million, said George Achola of Burlington Capital. The REACH building alone is estimated to cost him nearly $200 million.
Bellevue's unusual 'innovation hub' will propel Nebraska as a leader in cybersecurity
Earlier this year, a spokesperson for the development team said it was expecting up to $150 million in contributions from the state.
Omaha State Sen. Mike McDonnell introduced Assembly Bill 1364, but did not specify the amount requested. At a legislative committee hearing in February, McDonnell said Prairie Hill's team was still working with the governor's office to determine the nature of the request.
The bill remained pending in committee and was never aired in the Legislature.
Meanwhile, the state had approved an initial $20 million to begin the project in 2022. Achola said those funds were returned to the state due to a change in his sponsors and then re-allocated again this year to the Prairie Hill project.
Gov. Jim Pillen's office did not respond to a request for comment. But Johnson and Achola said they supported Piren's commitment to inject an additional $30 million in state funding next year, bringing the total state funding to Prairie Hill Farms to $50 million.
Achola said the development team plans to use a combination of private and public funds to raise other needed funds.
Other Bellevue projects also underway
The City of Bellevue has committed approximately $21 million in infrastructure costs related to water and wastewater needs.
Johnson said these improvements will also benefit Bellevue's two other major projects currently underway: a recreational district centered around a water park and a commercial district at the inland port.
“This is one of the best-case scenarios for cost savings for infrastructure development,” Johnson says.
The nonprofit owns and manages the Cybersecurity Campus. Representatives from the Nebraska Economic Development Authority recently joined the Prairie Hill Farm Development Authority board of directors, which also includes two Bellevue managers.
The venture, in partnership with the University of Nebraska, aims to build a pipeline of students to high-paying job opportunities “essential to keeping Nebraska's youth in the state,” Johnson said. said.
He said the campus project was recognized as a critical need for both the state's prosperity and national security.
“I'm confident we'll get all the help we need,” Johnson said.
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