Neb. Eyes Arena Incentives

Though 80 percent of voters in Ralston, Neb., recently supported a measure to build a new $32 million, 3,500-seat arena, officials in the city still have work to do at the state level before the project can get rolling.

The legislature approved a measure last year that allows small towns around the state to apply for sales tax incentives to help fund the construction of venues.

Mayor Don Groesser told the Omaha World-Herald he’s working to persuade a five-member board to allow Ralston to tap into the incentives for the venue.

The town could have some competition for the tax incentives, however. The nearby University of Nebraska at Omaha is reportedly looking into the construction of a new arena for athletics.

Groesser hopes to get approval for the arena incentives within a week, the World-Herald said.

Should the project proceed, Ralston officials hope to see the facility open by fall 2012.