Lt. Governor Toland Announces Rural Economic Development Grant Recipients
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the award recipients for the Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program. In this round of funding, more than $250,000 was distributed among 12 recipients across the state.
“Through the SEED grant program, we’re helping our small and rural communities grow stronger and become more resilient,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These investments will drive economic development, enhance local services and create a more prosperous future across the state.”
Awardees of the grant represent communities with a population of 5,000 or less. Additionally, awardees must provide a minimum 10-percent match and complete the proposed projects within 12 months. Projects must be focused on economic development and revitalization efforts through one of the following quality-of-life categories:
- Childcare and senior programming – Projects that support or enhance these services, such as building improvements, educational materials, supplies and equipment
- Community vibrancy – Projects that refresh, re-energize and unlock the attractiveness of rural communities, such as art installations, murals and signage
- Food retail – Projects that support access to food retail establishments, including development, renovation and/or expansion
- Libraries – Projects that support providing free and open access to a broad range of materials and services, including reading material, technology, furniture and building improvements
Funding for the SEED program, which is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, is provided through the Technology Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institutions (TEFFI) Development and Expansion Fund. The TEFFI Act was enacted in 2021 through bipartisan legislation to promote economic development throughout the state.
The 2024 SEED grant recipients include:
Childcare and Senior Programming
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Awardee
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County
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Award Amount
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Comanche County Economic Development*
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Comanche
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$22,500
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Wabaunsee County
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Wabaunsee
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$22,500
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Community Vibrancy
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Awardee
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County
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Award Amount
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Burrton Community Foundation – Affiliate of Central Kansas Community Foundation
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Harvey
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$22,500
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City of Conway Springs
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Sumner
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$12,000
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City of Morganville
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Clay
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$21,500
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City of Neodesha
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Wilson
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$22,500
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Oberlin-Decatur County Economic Development Corporation
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Decatur
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$22,500
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Food Retail
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Awardee
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County
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Award Amount
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Grisell Memorial Hospital
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Ness
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$22,500
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Living Local, Inc.
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Wallace
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$22,500
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Libraries
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Awardee
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County
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Award Amount
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City of Uniontown*
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Bourbon
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$22,500
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Haskell Township Library
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Haskell
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$22,500
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Kansas Rural Communities Foundation – Delia Community PRIDE Foundation*
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Jackson
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$22,500
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* Funding also includes a Food Retail and Community Vibrancy project
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
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