More than $17 Million in Grants Announced to Support Redevelopment Efforts for Rural Communities

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.

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