By Trish Svoboda
Governor Laura Kelly today announced the most recent round of award recipients for the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grant program, which was created to help rural communities revitalize downtown buildings and create safer downtowns with more job opportunities. A total of 21 projects from across the state will receive almost $1.4 million, along with more than $3.4 million in private local matching funds.
The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity, Community Development Division, and Kansas Main Street collaborate for the HEAL initiative. This effort focuses on rejuvenating neglected downtown structures where rehabilitation costs are greater than what conventional financing can cover, as stated in a release. Through the HEAL initiative, downtown landmarks are renovated into versatile, multi-purpose spaces. The projects under HEAL are required to be completed within a two-year timeframe.
This round of funding will include upper-story housing, childcare facilities, retail businesses, and restaurants.
Funding for the HEAL program is made possible due to bipartisan support from Governor Kelly and the Kansas Legislature, ensuring annual allocations. The latest HEAL grant round received 51 applications. A new round is anticipated to open this summer.
The HEAL grant awardees include:
| Awardee | County | Award Amount |
| Chanute Reg. Development Authority | Neosho | $50,900 |
| City of Andale | Sedgwick | $100,000 |
| City of Columbus | Cherokee | $100,000 |
| City of Holton | Jackson | $100,000 |
| City of Lindsborg | McPherson | $57,750 |
| City of Logan | Phillips | $25,000 |
| City of Parsons | Labette | $100,000 |
