Lowe Delta News

Gov. Laura Kelly recently announced the recipients of the fall 2022 Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize underused and dilapidated downtown buildings and turn them into economic drivers in Kansas communities.

“Shannon Martin of Arkansas City was awarded a portion of the state funding with a grant for $45,500. She is looking forward to revitalizing her buildings to be future businesses in downtown Arkansas City,” said Nick Rizzio, Municipal Project Manager.

Rizzio assisted Martin in applying for the grant and hopes the announcement of the award will spark interest in other property owners to apply for future funding.

“We need more of our downtown property owners to be involved in obtaining grants. We need to build these businesses to revitalize our historic downtown and add value to the community," Rizzio said.

A total of 15 projects from across the state are receiving almost $773,000 in matching grant funds. A total of 30 applications were received during the latest HEAL grant round.

HEAL was created in 2021 as a partnership between the Patterson Family Foundation and the Department of Commerce. The first round of HEAL grants resulted in 32 commercial buildings being rehabilitated.

The HEAL program is designed to bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for:

• New or expanding businesses

• Housing

• Arts and culture

• Civic engagement

• Childcare

• Entrepreneurship

Projects submitted must show potential as economic drivers in the community.

“Active downtown areas give a sense of place to small communities,” said Lindsey Patterson Smith, President of the Patterson Family Foundation. “We were happy to join the Department of Commerce and its partners in helping create new opportunities through revitalization.”

For more information about the application process for HEAL funding, call Rizzio at (620) 441-4413 or email him at nrizzio@arkansascityks.gov.

Original source can be found here.