Nearly $2.7 million in grants awarded to rural communities across Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Nearly $2.7 million has been awarded to rural communities to invest in childcare or senior programming, community vibrancy, food services and libraries.

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced on Friday, Dec. 16, that 61 recipients have been awarded nearly $2.7 million in Strategic Economic Expansion and Development grants. He said the grants are meant to invest in small communities across the state.

“SEED grants provide funding for quality-of-life enhancements in some of our state’s smallest communities,” Toland said. “These investments will set the stage for future economic development success and prosperity across the state.”

The Kansas Department of Commerce noted that those awarded grants are required to be in a community with a population of 5,000 people or less, to provide a minimum 10% match and to finish the project within one year. It said projects should focus on economic development and revitalization efforts through one of four categories.

KDOC indicated that the categories include the following:

• Childcare and senior programming - projects to support or enhance services such as building improvements, educational materials, supplies or equipment.
• Community vibrancy - projects to refresh, reenergize and showcase the attractiveness of rural communities like art installations, murals and signage.
• Food retail - projects to support access to food retail establishments including developments, renovations or expansions.
• Libraries - projects to support providing free and open access to a range of materials and services such as reading material, technology, furniture and building improvements.

KDOC said the funds for the program are provided through the Technology Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institutions Development and Expansion Fund which was enacted in 2021 through bipartisan legislation to promote economic development throughout the Sunflower State.

KDOC indicated 2022 SEED grant recipients are as follows:

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