On February 10, 2026, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners received a presentation from Many Bonds — a fintech platform branded as "Mini Bonds" — that could change how local governments fund projects and how residents participate in community investment. The platform, which launched nationally on February 21, 2026 at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference, allows ordinary residents to invest in local infrastructure projects with amounts far below the traditional $5,000 municipal bond minimum.
Many Bonds is a two-sided marketplace where local governments post infrastructure projects with compelling narratives (title, description, photos, investment terms) and micro-investors browse and fund projects through a mobile app. Investor funds go into FDIC-insured money market accounts through bank partner FiveStar Bank, earning interest immediately — even before committing to a specific project. The platform is free for governments and investors. If a project reaches its raise goal, 100% of funds transfer to the local government. If not, investors keep their money. Douglas County commissioners asked detailed questions and are evaluating the concept.
Infrastructure investment drives property values. Roads, parks, bridges, and public facilities — the kinds of projects Mini Bonds would fund — directly affect the quality of life and market desirability of the neighborhoods around them. The traditional municipal bond market has been inaccessible to most residents: buried in 100-page offering documents, sold in $5,000 minimum increments against a median household savings balance of just $5,300. Mini Bonds removes both barriers. For homeowners across Omaha, Council Bluffs, and Douglas County, this could mean more transparent community investment in the infrastructure that supports your home's value.
The presenter demonstrated the current complexity of municipal bond investing through the EMMA (Electronic Municipal Market Access) portal — 14 pages of results, complex documents, institutional minimums. Mini Bonds replaces that with project-based storytelling and app-based investing. A KYC/AML (Know Your Customer / Anti-Money Laundering) verification through Plaid Services is required. The presenter cited a Case Foundation 10-year study showing 90% of young professionals are motivated to invest based on a compelling narrative and are more likely to act when joined by peers. County commissioners including Borgerson, Fehee, Friend, Morgan, and Rogers engaged extensively with questions about securities regulations, tax-exempt versus taxable bond treatment, and suitability requirements. Scott, identified as a bond lawyer on the board, asked particularly pointed questions about implications for lower-income investors.
The county chair expressed interest in keeping Mini Bonds "in the back pocket" for future projects. No commitments were made, but the reception was constructive. For Omaha-area homeowners, this is worth watching — anything that makes infrastructure funding more accessible and transparent is good for property values long term. And if you're looking to invest in your own property right now, Davis Contracting helps homeowners across Elkhorn, Papillion, Bellevue, and Bennington with custom home building, basement finishing, and home additions — the most direct way to invest in your own community.
