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Governor Laura Kelly Announces More Than $17 Million in Grants to Support Redevelopment Efforts for Rural Communities

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly

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 US 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 or 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. 

Photos and video from the CDBG Awards Ceremony are available here.

(Information courtesy Office of the Governor.)