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Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of August 11th.

We'll start with project updates:

• Henderson County, North Carolina commissioners gave the green light for $79 million in construction funding for the county's jail expansion, part of a larger $170 million Justice Center project. Henderson County Approves $79M Jail Expansion as Part of $171M Justice Center
• Hausmann Construction has received notice to proceed on Nebraska's new 1,512-bed prison facility in Lincoln. The $312 million contract calls for completion by August 2028. Hausmann Cleared to Begin Nebraska Prison; Henderson County Moves Forward on $171M Justice Center
• In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Skanska has been hired to manage the construction of its $400 million prison project. Lancaster County Taps Skanska for $400M Prison Construction Management
• In Colorado, the Colorado Department of Corrections proactively evacuated the Rifle Correctional Center, relocating 179 inmates to the Buena Vista Correctional Complex in response to the Lee Fire. https://cdoc.colorado.gov/news-article/press-release-evacuation-of-rifle-correctional-center-completed-due-to-lee-fire

In legislation and funding news:

• Cuyahoga County, Ohio, has received $30 million in state funding to build its first community correctional facility, a 32-bed secure treatment center for youth. Cuyahoga County Secures $30M for New Youth Treatment Facility
• Shelby County, Tennessee, has unveiled a $1.26 billion plan to relocate its jail to North Memphis, adding space for 3,000 inmates plus courts and a sheriff's office. Shelby County Unveils Billion-Dollar Jail Proposal with P3 Model
• California has announced its fifth state prison closure, the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco, scheduled for the 2025-26 budget cycle, with expected savings of about $150 million. CDCR Announces Another Facility Closure as Inmate Numbers Drop
• South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden announced a potential $17 million land purchase northeast of Sioux Falls for a new men's prison. State legislators will consider the deal on September 23rd. https://kfgo.com/2025/08/09/governor-announces-17-million-deal-for-sioux-falls-prison-site-subject-to-legislative-approval/

Moving over...