NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - Governor Jim Pillen announced Friday the state has published a contract with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to utilize the Work Ethic Camp (WEC) in McCook as a federal detention center for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The center, managed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS), will be prepared to accept detainees before Nov. 1, at a base monthly payment of $2.4 million.

The five-year contract provides for 300 beds for adult men and women at a daily cost of $269.17 per person; the contract does not mention anything about detaining children.

Pillen extended his appreciation to Director Rob Jeffreys and the NDCS team for coordinating with DHS and ICE throughout preparations of the facility.

“I’m very grateful to

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