Building Local Opportunity through Coordinated Kansas-Investment (BLOCK) Program

Kansas Commerce Launches BLOCK Grant Program to Transform Downtowns Across Kansas

プログラム概要

The Building Local Opportunity through Coordinated Kansas-Investment (BLOCK) Program is a competitive placemaking initiative designed to create a dramatic, highly visible transformation of one Kansas downtown block through coordinated public and private investment. BLOCK will provide up to $500,000 to one eligible community to bring multiple properties, projects, partners and investments together around a single block-level transformation. While exterior improvements are expected to be the primary focus, strategic interior improvements may also be eligible when they contribute to the overall transformation and can be completed within the required timeline. The winning community will be expected to move quickly, make big changes, create a visible “wow” factor and demonstrate how the investment will contribute to long-term economic impact.

資金総額

In 2026, $500,000 is available. The maximum award for a project is $500,000. Commerce anticipates a single award.

目的

The purpose of BLOCK is to demonstrate what can happen when a community stops looking at downtown projects one building at a time and instead coordinates investment across an entire block. Inspired by the rapid, collaborative transformations popularized by “extreme makeover” programs, BLOCK brings community partners, property owners, businesses, contractors and resources together to create a visible, concentrated transformation in a short period of time. Communities will be expected to begin and finish all construction and rehabilitation efforts within a 14-day window.  The program is intended to leverage existing, current and future public and private investments and other public and private resources to address deteriorated, vacant or underutilized properties; improve the appearance and functionality of downtown; support businesses and housing; strengthen community identity; and catalyze additional private investment. BLOCK is designed as a rapid implementation initiative. The award will be made in late September or early October 2026, and the funded transformation must be complete before December 15, 2026.

Goals

• Address deteriorated, vacant, blighted or underutilized properties.
• Create a dramatic and highly visible “before and after” transformation.
• Transform one complete downtown block containing at least three structures.
• Once construction and rehabilitation efforts are ready to begin, the transformation must be complete within 10-14 days.
• Coordinate multiple properties, property owners, businesses and community partners.
• Leverage past, current and future public/private investments.
• Stimulate additional private investment.
• Strengthen existing businesses and create opportunities for new businesses and entrepreneurs.
• Support housing opportunities where feasible.
• Improve downtown aesthetics, functionality, activity and quality of place.
• Demonstrate the economic impact that can result from concentrated, coordinated investment.
• Create a project that can serve as a model for other Kansas communities.

選考基準

商務省は、プロジェクトの必要性、革新性、機関の能力、計画性、地域社会の支援、プロジェクトが完成することへの確信に基づいて、すべての提案を評価する。

主な考慮事項は以下の通り：

• The community’s readiness to execute the project.
• How the proposed improvements will create a visual “wow” factor.
• The whole block transformation and the number of buildings and businesses that are impacted
• Coordination and leverage of public and private investments.
• Long-term economic impacts.
• Community and property-owner partnerships
• Download the program guidelines をご覧ください。
• Download the program rubric for more information on how applications will be scored.

対象者

• Kansas nonprofit organizations.
• Kansas units of local government, including cities, counties and other eligible governmental entities.
• Tribal Nations located in Kansas.

応募期間

The BLOCK application period is from September 11, 2026 to September 30, 2026.