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Infrastructure Grant For Corridor in Olathe
Governor Kelly Announces KDOT Awarded
Nearly $98M for I-35, Santa Fe Corridor Project
in Olathe
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) has awarded the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) a nearly $98 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant to improve the I-35 and Santa Fe Street corridor in Olathe.
“This announcement is a win for Kansas and everyone who travels I-35 through Olathe,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This project represents my administration’s work to modernize and strengthen the infrastructure and transportation links that support commerce and economic growth across the state.”
The I-35 Santa Fe Forward project, which targets one of the region’s most congested corridors, seeks to eliminate bottlenecks at two interchanges: Santa Fe Street and Old Highway 56, address access management issues on Santa Fe Street, replace aging infrastructure, and provide multimodal access across I-35 to connect communities on both sides of the interstate. Currently, the crash rate on I-35 surrounding the Santa Fe interchange is more than two and half times the state’s average, with nearly half of all crashes consisting of rear-end crashes at lower rates of speed.
INFRA, funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is a competitive grant program supporting multimodal freight and highway projects of national or regional significance to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of transportation for freight and people in and across rural and urban areas. The grant application was submitted by KDOT in partnership with the City of Olathe.
Governor Kelly sent letters to the U.S. Department of Transportation in support of this project.
“Since coming to Congress, I’ve made it a priority to advocate for our community’s local infrastructure needs,” said Representative Sharice Davids, KS-03. “That’s why I voted for the bipartisan infrastructure law. This law creates good-paying jobs, strengthens our supply chains, helps lower costs, and will make our roads more efficient and dependable. I’m thrilled to see these funds coming to Kansas with the I-35 Santa Fe Forward project and investing in improvements that our region will see for generations.”
“We are grateful to our federal and local partners who have been working with KDOT to move this project forward,” Secretary of Transportation Calvin Reed said. “With this funding, we can tackle important infrastructure improvements that will enhance efficiency and connectivity, providing smoother travel for residents and businesses across the region.”
Construction on the I-35 and Santa Fe Street corridor between Ridgeview Road and Mur-Len Road is scheduled to begin in late 2026 with a total project cost of nearly $278 million. The City of Olathe is contributing $40 million. KDOT will contribute $140 million through the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation (IKE) Program, a 10-year program that addresses highways, bridges, public transit, aviation, short-line rail, and bike/pedestrian needs across Kansas.
“The new I-35 and Santa Fe interchange wouldn’t be possible without the partnership of KDOT and the leadership shown by our congressional delegation, including Sen. Jerry Moran, Sen. Roger Marshall, and Rep. Sharice Davids,” Olathe Mayor John Bacon said. “We are grateful for the support of our partners and for their understanding of just how important this project is to Olathe and to the region.”
More information on the KDOT IKE Program can be found here: https://ike.ksdot.gov/.
For additional details on the U.S. DOT Infrastructure for Rebuilding America Program, visit https://www.transportation.
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Oct. 22
LMC Newsletter Oct. 21, 2024
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Wreaths Across America Fort Scott National Cemetery Date for Cut-Off Extended.
Registration Closing Friday for Governor’s Water Conference
Register by Friday, October 25
Registration for the 2024 Governor’s Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas closes this Friday, October 25. The conference will take place on Wednesday, November 13 and Thursday, November 14 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan, KS. Register here before Friday to reserve your spot.
The conference will feature presentations on:
- Surface and Groundwater Issues
- Emerging Issues and Research
- Education and Outreach
For more information, including the draft conference agenda and speaker bios, visit the Governor’s Water Conference page at kwo.ks.gov under the News & Events section.
# # #
As the state’s water office, KWO conducts water planning, policy coordination and water marketing as well as facilitates public input throughout the state.
The agency prepares the KANSAS WATER PLAN, a plan for water resources development, management and conservation.
Grants to Revitalize Dilapidated Downtown Buildings Available
Commerce Announces New Round of Funding for HEAL Grants
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that $1.5 million is available for a fifth round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize dilapidated and underutilized downtown buildings in small communities across the state. These grants help close the financial gaps for communities striving to make their downtown districts economically vibrant.
Since Commerce launched the program in 2021, nearly $5 million has been awarded to fund 87 different community projects throughout Kansas.
“In order to succeed, brick and mortar businesses need the brick and mortar – and all the parts of their building – to be in good condition,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “With $20 billion of new private investment pushing into all parts of Kansas, HEAL grants give communities a chance to create their own momentum, turning downtown buildings that were once storage or pigeon roosts into stores, coffee shops and upper floor lofts.”
The HEAL grant helps communities bring revitalize downtown buildings as spaces for new or expanding businesses, housing, arts and culture, civic engagement, childcare or entrepreneurial activities.
Submitted projects must show potential to be economic drivers in the community and demonstrate that the space will be occupied by the end of the project. There must be proof of 1:1 matching funds from the building owner that will be required at the time of application.
The application opens November 1 and closes January 31, 2025. Awardees will be notified in April. Communities that received HEAL grants in spring 2023 or fall 2024 are not eligible to apply for this round of funding.
A virtual webinar about the specifics of the program is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Monday, November 4. Registration is required for the webinar. A Zoom link will be provided after registration is completed. To register for the webinar, please click here.
For additional information about HEAL grants, the webinar and the online application, please visit here.
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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Obituary of JoAnn Copelin
JoAnn Copelin, age 89, of Mansfield, TX passed away peacefully, Saturday, October 12, 2024 at her home in the Isle at Watercrest Mansfield. She was born June 23, 1935 in Enid, Oklahoma, the daughter of Alfred and Dulsa Clark. She graduated from Rogers High School in Arkansas with the class of 1953. Shortly after, she married the love of her life, Buddy Copelin, on May 18, 1953. They built a life in the Kansas City area and had 69 wonderful years together. She worked as a cosmetologist at Mr. Emery’s Salon for over 30 years. JoAnn enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, oil painting and spending precious time with family and friends. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Peculiar for 50 years where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir.
JoAnn will be lovingly missed by her daughter, Debbie Taylor, (husband, Steve), her 3 grandsons, Nathan Taylor, (wife, Sonya), Nick Copelin, (wife, Jennie), and Zack Copelin; 3 great-grandchildren, Presley, Foster and Judah Copelin; 2 sisters, Esther Tanner; Wanda Daniels, (husband, Tom), brother, Dean Clark, (wife Ardythe), and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Preceded in death by her parents; 2 sisters, Ruby Rounds and Melva Varnell; a brother, Eugene Clark and her husband, Buddy and son, Randy.
Graveside services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Thursday, October 24th at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas.
Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel on Thursday prior to leaving for the cemetery at 1:15 P.M. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of Jacquin Provence
Jacquin “Jacki” Lorraine Provence went home to meet our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday October 15th, 2024, at KU Medical Center.
Jacki was born on May 5th, 1952, in Lenexa, KS to Donald and Neva Provence. Jacki grew up in Kansas City, KS but she spent many of her favorite childhood summers in Fort Scott, where she decided to move and raise her two children, Nic and Erika Provence.
Jacki worked as an insurance claims processor for Cobalt MedPlans/First Source until she retired and moved from Fort Scott, back to the Kansas City area.
She was an avid movie lover and frequent attendee of many cinemas across multiple cities. She will be remembered for not only her big laugh, but her even bigger heart. Anyone who frequented her household were not only guests but were welcomed with open arms into what many considered a second home, and this home will live on in the hearts of everyone she loved.
Jacki is survived by her oldest son Nicolas and wife Kelly Provence of Springfield, MO, their children Niccon Provence and Christian Provence-Harmon and husband Garret of Springfield, daughter Erika Provence and children Gideon Provence of Gardner as well as Isabella Virtue and husband Shaun of Topeka. She is also survived by her beloved sister and one of her best friends Trudy Briones of Kansas City, as well as nephews Isreal Briones and Angelo Briones, Angelo’s children Gisele and Gian Briones as well as niece Jessica Briones and son Zekiah Briones Hardgraves all of the Kansas City area.
She was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Neva.
A celebration of life will be held in her honor at a later date and time to be announced. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
Rachel Carpenter: New FS Employee Relations and Special Project Coordinator
Rachel Carpenter started as the new Fort Scott Employee Relations and Special Project Manager on October 10.
Her office is located in City Hall, and she can be reached at [email protected] or 620-215-2562.
“With three years of experience at The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, I bring a strong background in grant writing, community change, and relationship-building,” she said.
“The City of Fort Scott is engaged in many exciting projects, and I look forward to building on the momentum I see,” she said. “My goal is to bring additional resources and funding to our community and to collaborate with other organizations to foster positive change. After all, we are #BetterTogether.”
Carpenter graduated from Fort Hays State University (FHSU) in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and also holds certificates in Grant Writing, Program Evaluation, and Community Development.
In her role at the City, her responsibilities will include:
- Maintaining and monitoring project plans, schedules, scopes of work, budgets, and expenditures
- Research, obtain, and monitor grants for projects
- Assisting the City Manager with various projects
- Meet with project leaders to assess their needs and define project requirements
- Preparing budgets
- Scheduling stakeholder meetings, documenting discussions, and generating reports
- Promoting a positive work culture
- Recruit and retain employees
- Conducting regular training sessions for employees
- Managing workers’ compensation claims
- Handling citizen insurance claims
Downtown Halloween Parade This Saturday, Oct. 26
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Early Voting Begins Today, Oct. 21 at the Bourbon County Courthouse
