Governor Laura Kelly Announces $224,437 in Community Development Block Grant Award for Fort Scott

TOPEKA –Governor Laura Kelly today announced the award of Community Development Block Grants through the Kansas Department of Commerce to assist with a commercial redevelopment project in Fort Scott.

The city of Fort Scott has been awarded $224,437 for repairs to a building, including roof repair and replacement, ceiling repairs, ADA accessibility, windows and door replacement, and emergency fire disconnects. The owner of the building is providing $74,813 in matching funds.

“Community Development Block Grant awards improve communities, revitalize vital infrastructure, and maximize economic opportunity,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “These funds will guarantee this project is up to par on safety and accessibility requirements, and they will contribute to the economic prosperity of the community.”

The building currently houses MAYCO Hardware. These grant funds will help bring the building back up to code, making it possible for the business to continue operating.

“Protecting locally-owned businesses is a vital part of economic development,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “By addressing this significant infrastructure need, the city is retaining a locally-owned business, ensuring public safety and making their town more appealing to visitors. This is a wonderful example of what Community Development Block Grants can do for rural communities.”

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:

1. The grant will benefit low- and moderate-income persons
2. The grant will prevent or eliminate slums and blight
3. The grant will resolve an urgent need where local resources are not available to do so

CDBG funds are one of the Department of Commerce’s primary tools supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities. In August, CDBG funds also were deployed to Clay Center, Eudora, and Lincoln, with each receiving $250,000 for redevelopment projects and providing matching funds of $88,000, $87,400, and $125,714, respectively.

Community Development Block Grants are a powerful community development tool that the Office of Rural Prosperity supports to increase the economic viability and quality-of-life of rural communities in Kansas. To learn more about the program, please visit kansascommerce.gov.