Kelly Perry,  Bronson’s Rural Champion through the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity, sent the following press release.

I’m writing to share exciting updates about a transformational project in Bronson, Kansas—our City Park Placemaking Project, which has been made possible by countless hours of travel, planning, and commitment from residents, regional partners, and dedicated volunteers.

In 2022, the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) and the Kansas Sampler Foundation launched the Rural Champions Program to empower leaders in rural communities. The program entered its second round in 2024, and I helped bring it to the attention of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT). With the support of Jody Love and former team member Rachel Carpenter, HBCAT agreed to apply—if the City of Bronson could identify someone willing to serve as the Rural Champion.

At the time, Bronson’s City Council—like many small-town councils—was already stretched thin. Many of them juggle full-time jobs while also managing Bronson Pride, the Bronson Ball Association, and other civic duties. Despite having been accepted to start my degree at PSU that fall, I told the Council that if they wanted me to apply as the Champion, I would do it—and they encouraged me to move forward.

I worked with HBCAT to apply and was officially named Bronson’s Rural Champion in September 2024. Training began immediately, and I’ve since logged hundreds of hours of travel and training, including multiple trips across the state. Our kickoff meeting in Newton, Kansas, was followed by mandatory virtual Kansas Leadership training, and just last week, I traveled over 15 hours round-trip to attend a quarterly meeting in Saint Francis.  During my second quarterly meeting in February in Comanche County, I had the honor of speaking directly with Lieutenant Governor David Toland about the challenges and goals of our local project. His team followed up with resources and guidance, showing the real intent behind this program—action and follow-through.

We’ve hosted two community-wide town hall meetings—one with 17 participants and the second with 37 community members in attendance—where we shared our vision for the park. We asked: “Can we dream bigger?” And the community responded with a resounding “yes.” That support gave us the confidence to pursue a major grant to take this project even further.

Applied For Community Development Grant

In partnership with the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission (SEKRPC), the City of Bronson’s City Council and the critical help of HBCAT making those connections for us, Southeast SEKRPC submitted a pre-application for a $210,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The full application is being submitted this Month, with award announcements expected in July 2025. If successful, this will bring together funding from several sources, including:

• $25,000 Rural Champions Implementation Grant
• $4,256 KDHE Waste Tire Product Grant (for recycled picnic tables)
• Helen Bolling Memorial Fund donations
• Bourbon County Community Foundation
• Over $5,000 in matching funds from HBCAT
• Private donations from the Iola banking center and the Community National Bank Foundation have both agreed to donate $1,500 total.

Special thanks go to City Clerk Danielle Minor, who voluntarily completed grant writing training and works to submit applications for additional funding for the park among her daily duties and work on sewer grants etc. Jennie McKee and the engineers at Agriculture Engineering Associates, Inc., Uniontown, have also been instrumental, helping us address ADA compliance, site drainage at the park, and accessibility concerns to ensure the new investment will be safe and long-lasting.

Planned improvements include:

• New, modern playground equipment
• ADA-compliant sidewalks to the restrooms
• A full concrete walking trail loop around the park
• Recycled material picnic tables that are all inclusive
• Better drainage to prevent flooding and equipment damage
• Additional improvements will continue as more funding is provided

These aren’t just cosmetic upgrades—they’re foundational changes to support health, accessibility, and community well-being.

We also want to invite everyone to Bronson Day 2025, held on Saturday, June 28, at the Bronson City Park. This will be the last celebration before construction begins, with renovations targeted for completion by May 2026. This year’s Bronson Day will be more low-key, as we desperately rebuild our volunteer base. If you’d like to be part of future Bronson Day planning or serve on an event board, please email me at [email protected] or Danielle at the city hall.

I truly believe we can prove that even the smallest towns can dream big and create lasting change. Bronson isn’t where I grew up, but it’s the place I proudly call home.

Volunteers Needed

That said, it takes more than just a few committed individuals to keep the heart of a town beating. We need new energy, new voices, and fresh leadership. As of today, there is no one on the planning committee for Bronson Day 2026. Without volunteers stepping up now, future community events like the Easter Egg Hunt, Santa Coming to Town, Bronson Day, and even our fireworks display are at serious risk of being canceled. These events take nearly a full year to plan and coordinate, and the handful of folks who’ve carried that torch for years are in desperate need of a well-earned break to recharge.

Change, growth, and progress require compromise, delegation, and community ownership. If you see something broken—say something. If you want to make a difference—join us. If you care about Bronson, now is the time to show it.

To volunteer or learn more, please contact me at [email protected]. Let’s work together to protect and grow what makes Bronson special.

Sincerely,
Kelly Perry
Rural Champion – City of Bronson
[email protected]