Allen County has been awarded a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $132,000 from the Kansas Department of Commerce to assist with COVID-19 economic relief.
In some instances, both counties and cities were awarded CDBG-CV funds, said Matthew Godinez, executive director of the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission.
For instance, Neosho County was awarded $169,200 and the City of Chanute was awarded $132,000. Anderson County was awarded $132,000 and the City of Garnett was awarded $132,000.
Godinez added that he would have advised both Allen County and the City of Iola to each pursue their own individual CDBG-CV funds.
According to Mayor Jonathan Wells, however, the City of Iola did not have sufficient resources, in relation to time or personnel, to devote to pursuing and administrating the grant.
CDBG-CV funds were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Wells also expressed concern over creating a situation where the county and the city were competing for funds.
Hence Iola is set to receive 45% of the grant funds awarded to the county ($59,400), with Humboldt receiving 35% and the outlying county areas receiving the remaining 25%.
IN a press release, Gov. Laura Kelly announced the award of nearly $9 million in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Supplement funds (CDBG-CV) to a total of 66 Kansas communities.
“Kansans have faced unprecedented challenges during the past few months due to COVID-19,” Kelly said. “Our communities need relief — and they need it now. I’m pleased to announce additional resources to help Kansans navigate through the recovery process. These grants will help our communities rebuild their economies and support Kansas families.”
Grants were available in two categories — Economic Development and Meal Programs. Economic Development grants provide communities with funding to help local businesses retain jobs for low-to-moderate income people by covering working capital expenses such as inventory, wages and utilities. Meal Program grants can be directed toward organizations such as Meals on Wheels, local food banks or to support organizations providing meals for children affected by the loss of school meal programs.
“The COVID-19 crisis has left many communities searching for resources to support their residents and businesses,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The CDBG-CV award provides cities and counties the ability to determine where the greatest need in their community lies and to provide some relief as we move into the recovery phase of the crisis.”
CDBG funds are one of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities. CDBG-CV grants are part of the state’s allocation from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and are designed to help Kansas communities respond to the needs of their residents and businesses during the reopening phase of the state.
