The Kansas Department of Commerce is making major changes to a grant program that funds a wide range of projects in Kansas communities.

 

The Community Development Block Grant or C-D-B-G program provides funding for projects that help low to moderate-income neighborhoods create improvements to their community. Past projects funded by the program include sidewalk repair, community centers, and youth job training programs. They are a common source of funding for projects in southeast Kansas communities.

 

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland says the overhaul of the C-D-B-G program was long overdue because the state was frequently forced to turn down worthy projects due to rigid deadlines and high local matching funds requirements.

 

The revamped CDBG – Community Facilities program opens the door for projects ranging from emergency sirens and ADA upgrades to new libraries and major park developments. The program will also transition from an annual competition to a rolling application process means that cities and counties can apply for funding year-round, receiving decisions in a matter of weeks rather than waiting months for a single funding cycle. The local match amount has also been reduced from 25% to a 10% match for small projects and a 20% match for large projects.

 

Toland said the changes to the program will make the process more flexible, fair, transparent, and focused on results.