Topeka, Kan. — Governor Laura Kelly announced 40 rural Kansas communities will receive Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) totaling more than $17.6 million to help support critical community development projects.
“These grants will help our communities improve public safety, revitalize vital infrastructure and maximize economic opportunity for our Kansas families,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “It’s further proof that investments like this are critical to positively impact lives of Kansans living in rural parts of the state.”
The awards are administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce and granted from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Small Cities CDBG program. Eligible CDBG public improvement projects help fund water and wastewater projects, housing rehabilitation and other community facilities and services.
“Community Development Block Grants strike at the core of what we all want to achieve for Kansas: strong communities, healthy families and a high quality of life,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “The investments announced today will create better living conditions for Kansans, which in turn drives new economic opportunities and promotes new growth across our state.”
Cities and counties, their award amount and project type are as follows:
| City of Atchison | $370,000 | Sidewalk improvements |
| City of Arkansas City | $300,000 | Housing rehabilitation |
| City of Auburn | $330,765 | Stormwater street improvements |
| City of Augusta | $260,000 | Purchase fire engine |
| City of Burr Oak | $330,000 | Water system improvements |
| City of Bushton | $530,000 | Water system improvements |
| City of Caldwell | $300,000 | Housing rehabilitation and demolition |
| City of Cawker City | $454,250 | New water tower |
| City of Cedar Vale | $300,000 | Housing rehabilitation and demolition |
| City of Concordia | $560,000 | Purchase of a fire ladder truck |
| City of Dodge City | $300,000 | Housing rehabilitation |
| City of Douglass | $99,000 | New playground equipment |
| City of Emporia | $750,000 | Street replacement with curbs and gutters |
| City of Fort Scott | $700,000 | Water system improvements |
| City of Fulton | $270,000 | Water system improvements |
| City of Girard | $600,000 | New lift stations and improvements to the sanitary sewer system |
| City of Glasco | $323,530 | Improvements to the lift station and sanitary sewer system |
| City of Hiawatha | $600,000 | Improvements to the lift station and sanitary sewer system |
| City of Highland | $600,000 | Street improvements |
| City of Humboldt | $492,086 | Street improvements |
| City of Leon | $616,000 | Water system Improvements |
| City of Lincoln Center | $300,000 | Housing rehabilitation and demolition |
| City of Linwood | $499,586 | Replacement of remaining cast-iron water lines throughout town |
| City of Lucas | $600,000 | New water tower and water supply improvements |
| City of Lyndon | $501,111 | Construction of a new community center |
| City of Lyons | $300,000 | Housing rehabilitation and demolition |
| City of Mankato | $600,000 | Wastewater collection system repairs and improvements |
| City of Marysville | $600,000 | Sanitary sewer treatment facility improvements |
| McPherson County | $250,000 | Water system improvements |
| City of McPherson | $500,000 | Housing rehabilitation and street improvements |
| City of Medicine Lodge | $480,000 | Rehabilitate/re-purpose existing building for a non-profit daycare |
| City of Miltonvale | $383,000 | Wastewater collection system and treatment facility improvements |
| City of Moran | $450,000 | Water supply improvements |
| City of Oberlin | $466,598 | Sanitary sewer treatment facility improvements |
| Osage County | $260,000 | Sanitary sewer systems improvements |
| City of Russell | $360,300 | Street improvements |
| City of Saint Francis | $600,000 | Street improvements |
| City of Timken | $170,000 | Water system improvements |
| City of Valley Falls | $600,000 | Sanitary sewer systems improvements |
| City of Wellington | $634,706 | Water system improvements |
The CDBG program, administered by the Community Development Division, provides federal funds to local governments for the development of viable communities by addressing their housing, public facilities, and economic development needs. To receive funds, the local government units must meet at least one of three national program objectives:
- The grant will benefit low- and moderate-income persons
- The grant will prevent or eliminate slums and blight
- The grant will resolve an urgent need where local resources are not available
The Small Cities CDBG program is one of the Community Development Division’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities.
