SEED Grants Available to Invest in Rural Quality-of-Life Initiatives

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today that $275,000 will be available through a second round of Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) grants. The SEED program supports economic development and revitalization efforts in smaller counties across Kansas through investments in quality-of-life initiatives.  

“SEED grants help improve community appeal and have already been game-changing for more than 60 cities across the state,” said Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland. “The Kelly Administration is committed to developing community assets and investing in new opportunities that will support growth in rural areas throughout Kansas.”

The grants will be administered through the Kansas Department of Commerce to communities in 78 designated counties with a population of 5,000 or less. Grants up to $25,000 will be available in the following 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; and
• 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.

Local governments, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce and other organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants must provide a minimum 10 percent match and complete the project within 12 months of receiving grant funds. Funds will be distributed half at the beginning of the grant cycle and the balance upon successful completion of the project.

Funding for the SEED program is provided through the Technology Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institutions (TEFFI) Development and Expansion Fund. The TEFFI Act was enacted in 2021 through bipartisan legislation to promote economic development throughout the state.

SEED grant applications will open Monday, August 28, and close at 11:59 p.m. Friday, October 27. Grant awardees will be announced mid-December.

An informational webinar on the SEED grant will be available to the public 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 28. Registration for the webinar, guidelines for the grant application and a list of eligible counties can be found here.