Several area building owners are receiving a combination of state and private funding to renovate buildings for upcoming projects.
The Historic Economic Asset Lifeline, or HEAL, is a collaboration involving the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Patterson Family Foundation, which has been working to strengthen rural communities since 2007.
Grants are split into “Emergency” and “Regular” categories for cities with under 50,000 populations. Money can be used for new or expanding businesses, housing, arts, culture, civic engagement, childcare or entrepreneurship. Area Emergency grants:
*The Eureka Project, Eureka: $41,000
*David Rettiger Building, Strong City: $65,000
Area Regular grants:
*17 West Fourth, Emporia: $65,000. This is the address of the former Spic N Span dry cleaning store that is being taken over by Radius Brewing for manufacturing and a taproom
*Weathered Wood Home Store, Council Grove: $65,000
*The Gym at Matfield Green Recording Studio, Matfield Green: $65,000
This is the first grant disbursement as part of the HEAL program. All told, over 30 projects are splitting over $1.8 million in matching grants.
