City applying for Kansas grant program that
could assist local entities with COVID recovery
The City of Independence is currently working through the application process for a new CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) program introduced by the State of Kansas to further assist businesses and organizations with COVID-19 recovery. A public hearing is required as part of the application process and is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, at the Independence Civic Center.
The Kansas Department of Commerce (KDOC) announced the CDBG-CV program earlier this week as an opportunity for “non-entitlement” city and county governments within the state (which includes Independence and provides funding to be used for economic development and community meal programs within their jurisdictions. The maximum possible grant award for the City is $400,000, with $300,000 of that funding available to local businesses and the remaining $100,000 to be used for meal programs.
Independence Director of Finance Lacey Lies explained there are several important criteria and considerations related to this process:
- Only government entities can apply; businesses may not apply directly to the KDOC. If awarded, local government entities will be responsible for establishing local guidelines, administering, and distributing funds.
- Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis among the cities and counties that apply. Funding is not guaranteed.
- Businesses/organizations interested in participating in the program are encouraged to complete an online survey to help the City determine how many/what businesses will be eligible. Lies said this information will help the City administer the program more quickly and strengthen its application to KDOC. The survey can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CDBG-CVMGCty
- The individual award amount per business/entity will be dependent upon the number of jobs retained within the business, but the funding is intended to be used for working capital.
- Home-based businesses and farms/agricultural businesses are eligible to apply under the state guidelines. Further restrictions may be imposed by City/County Commissions.
“There is no guarantee for funding, but we’re working hard to complete the application process and are hopeful we will be successful and, therefore, have a new avenue for supporting our community,” Lies said.
More information about the program may be obtained by contacting Lies at laceyl@independenceks.gov or Trisha Purdon, Executive Director of Montgomery County Action Council, at tpurdon@actioncouncil.com.