The Kansas Department of Commerce has announced that 49 Kansas communities will share a total of $13,049,583 in federal grants for residential handicapped accessibility modifications, micro-loans, park and sidewalk improvements, and the construction of storm shelters through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
“The CDBG program provides vital support to rural areas of our state,” said Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George. “Small and rural communities grow our economy and enhance the quality of life in Kansas, so it is important that we support their needs. CDBG funding helps provide deserving communities with the resources to undertake critical projects.”
The CDBG program provides federal funds to local governments for the development of viable communities by addressing their housing, public facilities and economic development needs. To be awarded funds, local government units must meet at least one of three program objectives: benefit low and moderate-income persons, prevent or eliminate slums and blight, or resolve an urgent need when local resources are not available.
CDBG funds are one of the Department’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities. The Department has distributed more than $450 million in CDBG funding in the last decade.
The following communities have been awarded CDBG grants under the special round of CDBG funding:
City of Gorham, $288,000
Gorham will make sidewalk, playground and park improvements. The city will contribute $42,500 in matching funds.
City of Lyons, $350,000
Lyons will make sidewalk and park improvements. The city will contribute $40,372 in matching funds.
City of Russell, $350,000
Russell will make improvements to its tennis courts. The city will contribute $49,100 in matching funds.
City of St.  John, $198,360
Saint John will make sidewalk improvements. The city will contribute $22,040 in matching funds.