Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL)

The HEAL program was created to preserve and bring new economic activity to underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated downtown buildings in rural Kansas. Building grants are intended to bring buildings back into productive use as spaces for new or expanding businesses, childcare, housing, arts and culture, civic engagement, or entrepreneurship. Façade grants are intended to rehabilitate the façade or street view of downtown buildings in need of repair to stimulate economic growth and reinvestment in the downtown district. The building in need of façade rehabilitation should either have a tenant or be tenant-ready.

Nonprofit or local government organizations applying on behalf of building owners of underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated downtown buildings or those needing façade improvements are eligible applicants for the HEAL program.

A private building owner MUST have an eligible local partnering support organization APPLY for the grant on their behalf. This organization will commit to supporting the project through the fiscal administration of the grant funds (distributing the payments to the building owner), tracking the bi-annual financial reports, and ensuring that the building owner is on track with program deadlines. 

Eligible supporting and applicant organizations include: 

• Tribal Nations
• Designated Kansas Main Street Programs
• Economic Development Corporations or Chambers of Commerce
• Cities 
• Counties
• Schools
• 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 organizations 
• Local Community Foundations

HEAL 5.0: Communities from first and second round ARE eligible to apply for 5.0 

• Properties must be in cities with a population of less than 50,000. 
• Properties must be in the downtown business district or corridor and hold architectural significance for the district. 
• Projects must show potential for reuse and revitalization as economic drivers in the community. 
• The awarded project may include funding from any state or federal source if there is no duplication of benefit. Examples include Community Development Block Grant, USDA Rural Development, State Historic Preservation Office programs or local Network Kansas programs. 
• Projects must incorporate Main Street Design Standards and follow local ordinances and code for rehab/construction/façade improvements. 
• Award recipients are required to sign a contract agreeing to the conditions of the program. 
• Projects must begin construction no later than September 1, 2025 with construction complete by September 1, 2027 with a tenant in place by March 1, 2028.
  • NOTE: Site cleanup, removal of debris, and demolition do not qualify as construction. Tenant must be leasing the space.   
• No more than one HEAL grant may be awarded to any city. 
• Previously awarded HEAL 2.0, 3.0 projects and cities are not eligible to apply for HEAL 4.0.
• Work must not begin before the award of the grant except for removal of façade slipcovers such as metal, stucco, tiles, stone veneer. 
• Work previously completed is not eligible for this grant program. 

• Projects are encouraged to follow the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/treatment-standards-rehabilitation.htm, https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1739/upload/treatment-guidelines-2017-part1-preservation-rehabilitation.pdf
• Projects are also encouraged to use best preservation practices as outlined in the Preservation Briefs of the NPS.   https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs.htm
• Projects that are on the State or National Register of Historic Places or contributing buildings in a Historic District must follow these standard and best practices guidelines and receive appropriate state approvals before beginning work.
• State approvals will be provided by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). They will require information such as scope of work, current and proposed floor plans, photos of affected areas, details on finishes (flooring, walls, lighting, etc.), renderings (especially elevations), blueprints and engineering drawings. They will also inquire if the building owner plans to apply for tax credits.

• Preliminary architectural drawings, including plans and elevations are required to support the scope of work.  Color renderings are required if work is being done to the street facing façade(s).
• Actual bids from licensed contractors will be required for the submission of the grant application.
• Pro-forma and business plan for building use.
• A 1:1 match minimum and proof of matching funds from the building owner.
• A letter signed by both organization and the building owner that confirms commitment by both parties to the project.

Masonry, insulation, foundations, roofs and guttering, fire stairs, windows, doors, chimneys, walls, ceilings, floors, interior stairs, elevators, lighting and fixtures, electrical wiring, data and communication, wiring (not including equipment), HVAC systems and components, plumbing systems, fire suppression sprinkler systems, and ADA accessibility solutions. This list is not exhaustive. Project expenses not listed here are at the discretion of the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce for eligibility under the grant. Up to 5% of the grant award may be retained by the organization for administration.

Professional services (architect and engineering fees), acquisition costs, or leasing contracts. This list is not exhaustive. Grant funds are to be utilized for the physical construction of the project.

$30 per square foot of the building area, not to exceed $100,000.

$30 per square foot of the building area, not to exceed $40,000.

Masonry, windows, storefronts, cornices, doors, awnings, ADA accessibility solutions. Removal of façade slipcovers such as metal, stucco, tiles, or stone veneer must be performed before applying for a façade grant. This list is not exhaustive. Project expenses not listed here are at the discretion of the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce for eligibility under the grant. Up to 5% of the grant award may be retained by the organization for administration.

Professional services (architect and engineering fees) and slipcover removal such as metal, stucco, tiles, or stone veneer – this should be finished prior to applying for a façade grant. This list is not exhaustive. Grant funds are to be utilized for the physical construction of the project.

HEAL 4.0: Opens August 14 and closes November 10, 2023 at 11:59 PM. Award notifications by mid-December.

Awarded projects will be funded on the following schedule with the corresponding project milestones and deadlines:

• 50% of the grant when proof of commencement of construction is verified. Site visit required.

NOTE: Site cleanup, removal of debris, and demolition do not qualify as construction.

• 25% of the grant when 50% construction completion has been verified. Site visit required.
• 25% of the grant when 75% construction completion has been verified. Site visit required.
• 100% construction completion has been verified. Site visit required.

Projects that complete milestones ahead of deadlines will receive award payments once project updates, appropriate documentation, verification, and a site visit can be completed. The purpose of this funding mechanism is to ensure rapid progress to rehabilitate these buildings and provide assurance for local financial partners. 

Progress will be evaluated through monthly project updates completed by the applicant, fiscal reports in June and December completed by the applicant, and site visits with Commerce throughout the project. These are all required to keep projects moving forward, resolve challenges as they arise, and ensure the successful completion of the project.