A local Southeast Kansas Community is one of 15 communities across the state to receive a portion of this round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline or HEAL grant funding.

The Patterson Family Foundation was the driving factor in the creation and development of the HEAL Program. Administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, the project has rehabilitated 32 dilapidated downtown buildings across the state since its inception in 2021. The funding is an effort to turn underused and deteriorating commercial buildings into economic drivers, especially in underserved communities and neighborhoods.

In Woodson County, the Revitalize YC nonprofit organization will receive $75,000. Revitalize YC was founded in 2018 and is focused on the revitalization effort of Yates Center. The grant project will be under their direction.