Realizing the need to rehabilitate downtown buildings with funding that can be disbursed quickly and efficiently, the Kansas Department of Commerce has partnered with the Patterson Family Foundation to create the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) program.
The spring 2023 HEAL round will open February 13 and close March 31.
Please read all “HEAL Program Information” prior to applying. You will find the “Apply Now” button in that dropdown menu.
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced a third round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants intended for revitalizing downtown buildings across the state, in partnership with the Patterson Family Foundation. Currently, a total of $850,000 in funding will be available for this HEAL grant round.
The HEAL program is designed to bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for:
Projects submitted must show potential as economic drivers in the community.
HEAL provides matching grant funds to assist communities in revitalizing underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated downtown buildings through a competitive grant. The amount of funding currently available will be $850,000. The 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.
The need for continued assistance with these building improvement projects is great. During the first round of HEAL, more than 240 applications were received requesting nearly $14 million in funding. A total of $1,869,715 was awarded to 32 projects. HEAL is clearly an important grant program in helping communities in their downtown and community development efforts.
HEAL provides matching grant funds to assist communities in revitalizing underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated downtown buildings through a competitive grant. The amount of funding currently available is $850,000. The 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.
The two funding categories are building or façade-only and organizations can apply for both, but only one grant will be awarded per community. Downtown disinvestment has made it difficult to preserve significant architectural resources and sustain economic vitality. Facade improvements can preserve valuable historic resources in rural communities and spur economic growth by improving access and use for current times.
NOTE: Unlike the previous versions of HEAL, this round will require a local organization to apply on behalf of a building owner. See the list for eligible applicants.
“The first round of the HEAL program assisted with the revitalization of 32 buildings across the state. The need for this program was great, with more than 200 applications received and considered for funding. Thanks to our strong partnership with the Patterson Family Foundation, we are able to offer another round of the HEAL program – and create new jobs and services for Kansans.”
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland
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.
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.
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.
Spring round: Opens February 13 and closes March 31, 2023 at 11:59 PM. Award notifications by late May. Funding Available: $850,000
Awarded projects will be funded on the following schedule with the corresponding project milestones and deadlines:
NOTE: Site cleanup, removal of debris, and demolition do not qualify as construction.
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.
| February 13, 2023 | Application Publishes |
| March 31, 2023 | Application Closes at 11:59 PM |
| Week of May 27, 2023 | Public announcement of awards |
| June – August 2023 | Initial site visits |
| September 1, 2023 | Deadline for Construction to Begin (50% payment) |
| December 2023 | Fiscal Report Due |
| June 1, 2024 | Deadline for 50% of Construction Completed (25% payment) |
| June 2024 | Fiscal Report Due |
| September 1, 2024 | Deadline for 75% of Construction Completed (Final Payment) |
| May 1, 2025 | 100% Construction Completion Deadline |
| June 2025 | Fiscal Report Due |
| August 2025 | Final Site Visit, Final Fiscal and Project Reports |
| August 31, 2025 | Tenant in Building |
The Office of Rural Prosperity is offering technical assistance for anyone needing help while applying for grants, gathering documentation, or just needing to talk through a problem. This service is available weekly on Thursdays from 10 am to Noon.
Watch a video or read through how to navigate the KHRI Inventory.
Who applies for the grant?
The grant application must be made by a local or county organization on behalf of the building’s owner. Eligible applicants include Designated Kansas Main Street Programs, Economic Development Corporations, City or County Government, 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 organizations and Community Foundations.
Will property owners be able to apply on their own?
No. The application must come from an eligible organization with the support of the property owner.
Are the organizations that apply required to financially contribute to the project?
No. Applicant organizations are required to endorse the project, but they are not financially obligated to contribute to the project.
Is there a population requirement for applicants?
Yes. Projects must be in cities with a population of fewer than 50,000 people. Of the 729 cities in Kansas, 720 meet this threshold.
Is the project required to be in a specific area of the community?
Yes. Projects must be located in the downtown business district or a connecting corridor. If you are uncertain if your project is within your downtown, please email [email protected]
Once the building is rehabilitated is it required that a viable business will be occupying the space?
Yes. The intent of making these building improvements is so a viable business can utilize the newly renovated space. This can be an existing business or a brand-new business. Part of the application must include a pro-forma/financial plan and a business plan.
If I have received other federal or state funding for this project—ARPA, SPARK, USDA, CDBG, SHPO, etc.—can those be applied as a match?
Yes, as long as the requirements of the other funds allow for HEAL funds to be added to the project.
What are my chances of receiving this grant?
That is difficult to answer, but these are competitive grants. During the first round of HEAL funding, more than 240 applications were submitted requesting nearly $14 million funding. A team at the Department of Commerce will carefully review and score each application based on merit, project eligibility and need.
How much can I receive for my project?
The maximum Building Grant Award Amount is $20 per square foot of the building area, not to exceed $75,000. The maximum Facade Grant Award Amount is $20 per square foot of the façade area, not to exceed $25,000.
I received an Emergency HEAL grant (or regular HEAL grant) the last time around? Can I apply this round?
No. Applications will not be accepted for projects in communities that received Emergency or Regular HEAL grants in the last round.
Can I apply for more than one project in my downtown?
Yes, but only one project will be eligible to receive funding per community. We encourage you to work with business and property owners to prioritize projects and focus on those that have the capacity to meet the grant requirements and the timeline for completion.
I have one property owner in my downtown that owns several contiguous buildings and needs funding for one project for all of these buildings. Is that an eligible project?
Yes. If one person has three buildings that are connected and that project includes all three of those buildings, that is an eligible use, up to the $75,000 maximum.
I have already started my project. Is it eligible for a HEAL grant?
No, projects must be ready to execute quickly, but must begin construction after the award of the grant.
Does my project have to follow any Design Standards?
Projects must incorporate Main Street Design Standards. Projects must also follow state or local ordinances and code for rehab/construction/façade improvements.
Does my project have to follow any Preservation Standards?
Projects are encouraged to follow the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/rehabilitation.htm
Projects are also encouraged to use best preservation practices as outlined in the Preservation Briefs of the National Park Service.
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 State or National Register Historic District MUST follow these standards and best practice guidelines and receive appropriate state approvals with the Kansas State Historical Society office before beginning work.
HEAL is a collaboration of
