Department of Commerce
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce announced on Monday that $40 million will be made available under ARPA grant programs Building Opportunities for the Disabled and Elderly (ABODE) and State Park Revitalization and Investment in Notable Tourism (SPRINT) programs .
The ABODE program will provide $10 million in funding for new construction and renovation projects of affordable multifamily housing units for people with disabilities and seniors. The SPRINT program will distribute $30 million for investments in regional tourism businesses and state parks.
The funds were designated by the Kansas Executive Committee for Strengthening People and Revitalization (SPARK) and approved by the state Finance Board in December.
“To continue our historic growth path, we must continue to invest in quality-of-life assets,” said Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland. “Providing quality housing to all Kansans and developing attractive regional tourist destinations will help us build strong and inviting communities across the state.”
ABODE applications may include health and safety renovations of existing buildings or the construction of new multi-family housing units accommodating elderly and/or disabled people. Project design, engineering costs and architectural designs are also eligible as eligible expenses. Winners will have two years to complete their projects and use all allocated funds.
Suitable ABODE candidates include:
● Residential real estate developers
●Non-profit organizations in good standing with the state of Kansas
●Counties and local government units
●Existing entities providing specifically designed housing for the elderly and people with disabilities
●Social housing bodies.
SPRINT applications can include, but are not limited to:
●Infrastructure improvements, capital projects, renovations
●Construction, engineering and architecture, design, inspections and environmental assessments
●Renovation and repair of internal and external structures, roads and utilities links adjacent to the project site
●Development of public land to create a tourist destination
●Costs associated with the recruitment of new permanent and semi-permanent exhibitions
●National museum affiliation application fees
Suitable SPRINT candidates include:
●Kansas state parks
●Convention and Visitor Bureau
●Counties and local government units
●Museums
●Convention Centers
● Performing arts centers
●entertainment venues
●Other tourism-oriented companies and travel agencies
ABODE and SPRINT grant applications both open today at 2:00 pm, with applications closing at 11:59 pm on February 27, for both programs.
Informational webinars will be publicly available, with the SPRINT webinar starting Thursday at 9am and the ABODE webinar starting Thursday at 3pm. Webinar registration and grant application guidelines are available at www.kansascommerce.gov/abode/ and www.kansascommerce.gov/sprint/. Applicants can contact [email protected] if you have any questions regarding this funding opportunity.
