Rooks County one of 20 communities to receive grants

The Kansas Department of Commerce & Housing (KDOC&H) today announced that 20 Kansas communities will share a total of $5,587,341 in federally funded grants for a variety of Community Improvement projects.

The Rooks County Health Department was awarded a grant of $246,800 to renovate the health department building and make it handicap accessible. The county will contribute $80,000 towards the project. 

The funding comes from the U.S. Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and will be matched by $3,337,058 in local funds. The grants will assist 32,733 Kansas residents, of which 18,442 have low and moderate incomes.

Other grant recipients are as follows:

Russell County
$143,000
Russell County is being awarded CDBG funds to replace a bridge that crosses the Smokey Hill River two miles south of Russell. The Kansas Department of Transportation will contribute $593,680 towards this project.

Smith County
$180,500
Smith County will receive funds to construct a new emergency medical service building. In addition to the $180,500 in CDBG funds, the county will contribute $180,500 in local funds.

City of St. Paul
$153,283
With this grant, St. Paul will pave 15 blocks of streets. It will also install 866 linear feet of new curbs and gutters and construct four sidewalk ramps. The city will finance its half of the project with a general obligation bond issue.

Gove County
$63,445
This project will replace a substandard bridge located 5.5 miles southeast of Quinter. The Kansas Department of Transportation will contribute $259,203 towards this project.

Dickinson County
$173,100
With the grant, the county will build an emergency medical service facility to serve the southeast portion of Dickinson County. The county will contribute an equal amount to the project.

City of Fowler
$289,358
Fowler will build a new fire station that will house five firefighting vehicles and also contain space space for training and storage. The city will provide $24,895 towards this project.

Sherman County
$99,000
Sherman County will replace a substandard bridge that crosses Middle Fork Beaver Creek located 15.5 miles west of Goodland. The Kansas Department of Transportation will contribute $366,884 towards this project.

City of Osawatomie
$400,000
This project will replace eight blocks of brick streets at two locations. The streets will be widened, and sidewalk ramps will be added for handicap accessibility. The city will contribute $475,000 towards the completion of this project.

City of Mound Valley
$372,000
This grant will be used to construct a 5,280-square-foot community center to serve this community of 400. The city will contribute $15,000 in local funds towards the project.

City of Rozel
$221,970
The city will use the funds to renovate an existing building for a community center that will include a full kitchen and meeting space. The city will contribute $9,330 in local funds.

City of Stafford
$400,000
Stafford will use the grant to remove and replace 17,200 feet of water drainage structures, including curbs and gutters. The city will contribute $400,000 towards this project.

Osborne County
$376,800
The county will use the grant to make mechanical and electrical improvements in the county hospital. The county will also contribute $237,000 in local funds to the project.

Sheridan County
$286,410
Sheridan County will use its grant to construct a new emergency medical services building. The county will contribute $90,000 in local funds.

City of Weir
$400,000
Weir will construct a 13,000-square-foot metal building to house fire, police, and utility vehicles. The city will contribute $28,000 towards this project.

Russell County
$300,065
Russell County is receiving a grant on behalf of Lucas Rural Fire District #1. The grant will be used to purchase and equip a Class A pumper fire truck. The county will contribute $40,000.

City of Bronson
$358,000
Bronson will construct a 5,700-square-foot community center/library. The facility will include meeting rooms, library stacks, reading areas, and a computer room. The city will contribute $40,000 in local funds.

City of Cuba
$326,500
Cuba will use this grant to rehabilitate its existing community center, improving the building’s handicap accessibility and installing new heating, air conditioning, and windows. The city will contribute $68,000 towards the project.

City of Yates Center
$400,000
Yates Center will use the grant to build a four-bay fire station. The fire station will serve the needs of the city and surrounding area. The city will contribute $52,182 in leverage.

Trego County
$397,110
This project will purchase and renovate a building to house the Trego County health department. The county will contribute $50,000 to the project.