Rural Economic Development Grant Recipients Announced

The recent recipients of the Strategic Economic Expansion and Development grant program were announced by Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland on Thursday, Jan. 23. More than $250,000 has been distributed among 12 recipients in this round of funding.

Awardees of the grant represent communities with a population of 5,000 or less and must also provide a minimum 10-percent match and complete the proposed projects within 12 months. Projects must be focused on economic development and revitalization efforts through one of the following quality-of-life categories:

Childcare and senior programming – Projects that support or enhance these services, such as building improvements, educational materials, supplies and equipment
Community vibrancy – Projects that refresh, re-energize and unlock the attractiveness of rural communities, such as art installations, murals and signage
Food retail – Projects that support access to food retail establishments, including development, renovation and/or expansion
Libraries – Projects that support providing free and open access to a broad range of materials and services, including reading material, technology, furniture and building improvements

The SEED program, administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, is funded through the Technology Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institutions (TEFFI) Development and Expansion Fund.

For more information visit www.kansascommerce.org.