25-04-2025
Kansas towns get $1.5M for downtown revitalization projects
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW) — More than $1.5 million in state funding is heading to 19 Kansas communities to support revitalization projects aimed at breathing new life into historic downtown buildings, the Kansas Department of Commerce announced Thursday.
The funding from the state's Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) program, matched by over $6.4 million in local contributions, totals about $7.9 million.
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'By revitalizing our historic buildings, we can create spaces that drive community growth and bring in new economic opportunities for the entire state,' Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said in a news release. 'Our rural communities are some of the best places to be in Kansas — and it's because we are intentional with how we invest in them.'
The HEAL program offers matching grants to small towns for projects that convert vacant or underused buildings into active spaces for businesses, housing, child care, arts, and community uses. Since its 2021 launch, it has funded improvements to nearly 100 buildings statewide.
'This group of projects will save buildings in some of the smallest communities in Kansas,' Trisha Purdon, director of the Office of Rural Prosperity, said. 'It's about more than preserving buildings — it's about generating opportunity and restoring vitality to our downtowns.'
Highlights from the latest round of funding include:
Admire: A $35,000 grant will help transform a 120-year-old senior center into the 'Last Chance Arcade,' a retro gaming space with more than 60 classic arcade machines. The venue aims to be the largest arcade between Wichita and Kansas City, serving as a family-friendly attraction.
Garnett: The city received $100,000 to renovate one of its largest historic buildings into a modern, 24/7 fitness center with a designated kid zone. The project is expected to increase foot traffic and downtown activity.
Sharon Springs: A $100,000 grant will support redeveloping the long-vacant upper levels of two historic buildings into new housing. The effort aligns with local housing needs identified through a recent community assessment.
Wilson: The Weber & Peirano Building, a 1904 structure serving as a tourism hub, mercantile, and art space, will receive $40,000 for façade restoration. The updates aim to preserve the building's architectural integrity while supporting entrepreneurship and tourism.
The state says the HEAL program is part of its broader strategy to support economic development and livability in rural Kansas through targeted investments and partnerships.
For a complete list of grant recipients and projects, visit the Kansas Department of Commerce website.
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