Local
Written by: Press Release Posted by David Elliott Date Posted: 2023-14-02
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced that $850,000 has been made available to fund a new round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants.
The HEAL program, funded by the Department of Commerce and the Patterson Family Foundation, provides grants to small communities across the state to revitalize downtown buildings.
The HEAL program is designed to restore downtown buildings to productive use as spaces for new or expanding businesses, housing, arts and culture, civic engagement, childcare, or entrepreneurship.
“Inner cities across Kansas are already making dramatic and visible improvements through this popular program,” said Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland. “Our partnership with the Patterson Family Foundation is creating even more opportunities for communities to bring their historic buildings back to life and strengthen their local economies.”
HEAL is intended to fill financial gaps in restoring underutilized properties and making downtown neighborhoods across the state more economically vibrant. Applicants must demonstrate that the submitted projects have the potential to become economic drivers in the community.
Eligible applicants must be organizations applying on behalf of building owners and may include Kansas Main Street designated programs, economic development organizations, cities, counties, 501c3 or 501c6 organizations, and local community foundations.
Private building owners should contact their local organization to work collaboratively on the application and to identify buildings that are excellent candidates for the HEAL program. Buildings should be underutilized, enhance the historic fabric of the downtown district, and have a viable plan for adaptive reuse.
“Contributing to the HEAL program with the Department of Commerce is a natural fit for our foundation’s mission,” said Lindsey Patterson Smith, President of the Patterson Family Foundation. “Downtown areas are often the heart of communities of all sizes and we believe that rural inner spaces in particular will benefit from improvements to their beauty, safety and greater accessibility.”
HEAL Matching Grants will be awarded for facade or building construction projects. Communities that received a previous HEAL grant are ineligible to apply in this round.
Proof of matching funds from the building owner will be required at the time of application. The application window closes on March 31 with award notifications at the end of May.
Information about the HEAL grant program and online application can be viewed at www.kansascommerce.gov/heal.
(Information courtesy of the Kansas Department of Commerce.)
