The City of Great Bend is awaiting word from the Kansas Department of Commerce as to its application for Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds to help with a pair of street projects. The targeted work includes a mill and overlay of 12 blocks along Broadway Ave. (Polk St. to Morton), as well as the reconstruction of the intersection of 19th Street and Harrison. 

“We’re hoping to hear that announcement this week,” City Administrator Kendal Francis said, addressing the City Council Monday night. Following an Oct. 5, 2020, public hearing that garnered no public input, the council approved applying for the funding. 

This grant falls under the Community Facilities Category, which includes streets, senior centers, community centers, bridges, fire trucks/station, sidewalks, etc., Francis said. The maximum award is $700,000. 

The minimum required match is 25%, but as it is extremely competitive, a 50% match is usually recommended to provide a competitive advantage. 

The engineer’s estimate is $1,292,800; therefore, a 50% match would make the city’s share $646,000. Should the city be approved for the grant, that money would cover the balance of the project.

Another requirement for this funding bases it on the number of residents in the low- to moderate-income levels. Since all of Great Bend fits this criteria, Francis said the city is eligible for the full $700,000.

Francis said the city will draw on its quarter-cent sales tax dedicated to street maintenance to cover the cost. This project will utilize most of the balance in that fund for this year.

These are federal funds funneled through the State of Kansas. Great Plains Development of Dodge City will administer the grant for Great Bend.