The city of Emporia is inching closer towards nailing down an official disbursal process for COVID-19 relief funds.
At this time, the city is planning to develop a database through Emporia Main Street to handle Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) funding applications from local businesses. When applications will be available is still to be determined as city staff continues working with Main Street Director Casey Woods and city Grant Administrator Garrett Nordstrom.
Woods says the first step in the process will be providing information on funding requirements to the general public.
To qualify for the CDBG funds, businesses must meet both the Low to Moderate Income requirements as well as COVID-19 impact requirements. The city was recently awarded over $160,000 in CDBG funding with $134,000 marked for economic development.
While it may seem like a lot, Woods says it is a relatively small sum compared to the number of applications they anticipate receiving. Woods encourages all businesses to thoroughly research the LMI and CV requirements before applying for assistance.
The application process will require a virtual and paper application. Woods is expected to return to the commission with a draft of said application in the coming weeks.
In other business Wednesday, commissioners tentatively approved a list of projects that could be funded by SPARK allocations through Lyon County. City Consultant Jim Witt tells KVOE News, the list of projects totals just over $560,000 at this time for COVID-19 prevention.
The proposed projects include the purchase of electrostatic disinfectant sprayers, new air filtration systems for White Auditorium, walkthrough temperature scanners for the auditorium and Emporia Public Library and more. Witt says if the county approves the city’s proposed list, there will be a deadline for when the funds must be spent.
Witt will appear before the commission next Wednesday for final approval of the proposed project list. The list will then need final approval from the state level before the city can move forward.
Separately Wednesday, commissioners continued discussions on the 2021 budget and Mayor Danny Giefer issued a proclamation declaring Aug. 3 – Aug. 8 as Farmer’s Market Week in Emporia.
The Emporia City Commission will reconvene for an action session next Wednesday inside the municipal courtroom at White Auditorium.
