Missile silo upgrade bill may provide opportunities for Western Neb. towns

By Becky Uehling

Grant Tribune-Sentinel

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 of the communities, and, according to Dist. 44 Senator Teresa Ibach, might present an opportunity for towns in western Nebraska  that are near the sites. 

During her weekly call-in with constituents on Tuesday, Feb. 28, Ibach said Bill 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. 

According to information provided by Senator 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 Senator’s Hardin office, infrastructure that will be needed to complete the project will include roads, water access, wastewater access, electric availability, and potentially workforce housing.

Ibach said she is watching the bill, and will further discuss details of the bill with Senator 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 Bills

Among other bills that Ibach is watching includes 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 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. Her contact info is on Page 4.