The Kansas Department of Commerce has awarded nearly $1.2 million in federal Kansas Small Towns Environment Program (KAN STEP) funding to the cities of Sterling and Mankato, as well as Pratt and Anderson counties. The funding will be matched by more than $1.1 million in donated equipment, labor and cash from recipient communities and private donors.
The Department has also awarded a $331,000 federal Urgent Need Grant to the City of Anthony to demolish and clean up portions of downtown destroyed in a July fire.
“We’re pleased to award this funding to some very deserving Kansas communities,” said Carole Jordan, Director of the Rural Development Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce. “KAN STEP and Urgent Need funding are great tools for the Department to help local communities improve their quality of life.”
KAN STEP is a self-help program that enables small communities to make major infrastructure improvements. Local residents volunteer labor or services – termed “sweat equity” – while the Department of Commerce provides funding for technical services and materials. KAN STEP is provided through the federal CDBG program, which provides federal funds to local governments for the development of viable communities by addressing their housing, public facilities and economic development needs.
Urgent Need Grants address an immediate threat to health or safety resulting from a sudden and severe emergency. Like KAN STEP, these funds come from the federal CDBG program.
KAN STEP, Urgent Need and similar categories of CDBG funds are among the Department’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, rural communities.
The awards are as follows:
KAN STEP
The City of Sterling, located in Rice County, is being awarded $297,970 to rehabilitate the Studio 96 Building in downtown Sterling. The rehabilitated building will serve as a community center/art studio and gallery. Local volunteers anticipate donating approximately $266,177 in equipment and labor toward the project.
The City of Mankato in Jewell County is being awarded $300,000 to construct an addition to the city’s fire station building. The addition will encompass 4,800 square feet that will include a truck maintenance area, meeting space and space to park fire trucks. Local volunteers anticipate donating approximately $217,186 in equipment and labor toward the project.
Pratt County is being awarded $299,971on behalf of Rural Fire District #11 to construct a new fire station in Sawyer. The fire station will encompass 7,200 square feet and house an office, meeting room, mechanic’s bay and space to park fire trucks. Local volunteers anticipate donating approximately $287,142 in equipment and labor toward the project.
Anderson County is being awarded $296,884 construct a new fire station in Colony. The proposed fire station will encompass 6,300 square feet and house a meeting room, safe room and space to park fire trucks. Local volunteers anticipate donating approximately $335,233 in equipment and labor toward the project.
Urgent Need Grant Award
On July 8, 2009, a major fire in downtown Anthony consumed six buildings, devastating a major portion of downtown. The City has been awarded $331,000 to demolish six structures located between 107 West Main and 129 West Main. The scope of work will include asbestos testing, asbestos inspection, demolition and the stabilization of the common wall between 129 and 131 West Main.
The City will provide $111,795 in the form of insurance proceeds as matching funds.
For more information, contact Joe Monaco, Public Information Officer with the Kansas Department of Commerce, at (785) 296-3760 or jmonaco@kansascommerce.com.