Welcome to the online application portal for the Kansas Department of Commerce! Review and apply for funding opportunities.
The HEAL program was created to preserve and bring new economic activity to underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated downtown buildings in rural Kansas. Building grants are intended to bring buildings back into productive use as spaces for new or expanding businesses, childcare, housing, arts and culture, civic engagement, or entrepreneurship. Façade grants are intended to rehabilitate the façade or street view of downtown buildings in need of repair to stimulate economic growth and reinvestment in the downtown district. The building in need of façade rehabilitation should either have a tenant or be tenant-ready.
Eligible Applicants
Nonprofit or local government organizations applying on behalf of building owners of underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated downtown buildings or those needing façade improvements are eligible applicants for the HEAL program.
Eligible organizations include:
- Designated Kansas Main Street Programs
- Economic Development Corporations
- Cities
- Counties
- 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 organizations
- Local Community Foundations
Project Eligibility Requirements
- Properties must be located in cities with a population of less than 50,000.
- Properties must be located in the downtown business district or corridor and hold architectural significance for the district.
- Projects must show potential for reuse and revitalization as economic drivers in the community.
- The awarded project can include funding from any state or federal source, as long as there is no duplication of benefit. Examples include: Community Development Block Grant, Community Service Tax Credit Program, USDA Rural Development, State Historic Preservation Office programs or Network Kansas programs.
- Projects must incorporate Main Street Design Standards and follow local ordinances and code for rehab/construction/façade improvements.
- Award recipients are required to sign a contract agreeing to the conditions of the program.
- Projects must begin construction no later than April 1, 2024 with construction complete by April 1, 2026 with a tenant in place by September 1, 2026. NOTE: Site cleanup, removal of debris, and demolition do not qualify as construction. Tenant must be leasing the space by September 1, 2026.
- No more than one HEAL grant may be awarded to any city.
- Previously awarded HEAL (Emergency HEAL or regular HEAL) projects and communities are not eligible to apply for future rounds of HEAL, with the exception of the first round of HEAL communities. This list can be found here: www.KansasCommerce.gov/HEAL. Communities that received a HEAL grant in the first round (Emergency and regular HEAL) can apply again for HEAL.
- Projects that are attached to or a part of the original grant award received in Spring 2022 are not eligible, unless they are completely unrelated to the original project with a different building owner.
- Communities that have never received a HEAL award in the past will receive additional points in the scoring and review process.
- Work must not begin before the award of the grant except for removal of façade slipcovers such as metal, stucco, tiles, stone veneer. Expenses
- Work previously completed is not eligible for this grant program.
Required Supporting Materials with the Application
- Preliminary architectural drawings, including plans and elevations are required to support the scope of work. Color renderings are required if work is being done to the street facing façade(s). Written contractor quotes are sufficient for projects that do not require architectural drawings such as roofing.
- Written estimates by a licensed contractor are required. Quotes must include supply cost estimates, labor cost estimates, and a detailed list of work to be done. Quotes that also demonstrate that the project will be completed by the HEAL deadline are also preferred.
- Pro-forma showing all sources and uses on the project, and a business plan for operation of the building after completion of construction.
- A 1:1 cash match (minimum) and proof of matching funds from the building owner.
- A letter signed by both the applicant and the building owner that confirms commitment by both parties to the project. This is required, and projects that are submitted without this information will not be considered.
Eligible Building Grant Project Expenses
Masonry, insulation, foundations, roofs and guttering, fire stairs, windows, doors, chimneys, walls, ceilings, floors, interior stairs, elevators, lighting and fixtures, electrical wiring, data and communication, wiring (not including equipment), HVAC systems and components, plumbing systems, fire suppression sprinkler systems, and ADA accessibility solutions. This list is not exhaustive. Project expenses not listed here are at the discretion of the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce for eligibility under the grant. Up to 5% of the grant award may be retained by the applicant organization for project administration expenses.
Ineligible Building Grant Project Expenses
Professional services (architect and engineering fees), acquisition costs, or leasing contracts. This list is not exhaustive. Grant funds are to be utilized for the physical construction of the project.
Building Grant Award Amount
Up to $30 per square foot of the total building space, not to exceed $100,000 per project.
Eligible Façade Grant Project Expenses
Masonry, windows, storefronts, cornices, doors, awnings, ADA accessibility solutions. Removal of façade slipcovers such as metal, stucco, tiles, stone veneer must be performed before applying for a façade grant. This list is not exhaustive. Project expenses not listed here are at the discretion of the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce for eligibility under the grant. Up to 5% of the grant award may be retained by the organization for administration.
Ineligible Façade Grant Project Expenses
Professional services (architect and engineering fees) and slipcover removal – this should be finished prior to apply for a façade grant. This list is not exhaustive. Grant funds are to be utilized for the physical construction of the project.
Facade Grant Award Amount
$30 per square foot, not to exceed $40,000
Purpose:
The purpose of TEFFI: SEED grants is to support the economic revitalization of Kansas communities under 5,000 population through investments in quality-of-life initiatives.
TEFFI: SEED grants are funded under the Technology-Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institutions Development and Expansion Act (KSA 09-2324), which was enacted in 2021 to promote and facilitate the development and growth of trust banks in Kansas; regulate fiduciary financial activities and custodial services and Kansas; and to locate trust bank office space in economic growth zones in rural Kansas.
The partnerships with these financial organizations have generated funds that the SEED program will distribute to help these small rural communities prosper. The TEFFI: SEED grant program is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce.
Additional scoring points will be awarded for the following:
- Greater match than 10%
- Organizational support from at least one other community partner (Economic Development Organization, Chamber, City, County, Foundation, etc.)
- Projects that are "shovel ready" and can be completed in 12 months (Shovel Ready means that the site/building is ready for construction/rehabilitation, has completed any needed environmental/historical inspections and infrastructure is in place at the site.)
- Counties that have not received funding from Commerce
Program Timing:
- Applications will open on Monday, August 28, 2023, and will close on Friday, October 27, 2023, at 11:59PM.
- All applications will be reviewed by the Department of Commerce for allowability and will be competitively scored. Awards are expected to be announced in mid-December.
- Grant activities must begin within 4 months of a fully executed grant award document.
- All grant activities must be completed within one year of the award date.
- Expenses must be incurred AFTER execution of a grant agreement with the Department of Commerce to be eligible for funding under TEFFI: SEED grants.
If your organization is needing to make a change/amendment to your approved grant project(s), please complete this request form.
It will be reviewed and you will be notified via email once your change/amendment is approved or denied.
If your organization is needing to make a change/amendment to your approved HEAL grant project, please complete this request form.
It will be reviewed and you will be notified via email once your change/amendment is approved or denied.
Certified Sites Support Grant
The Kansas Department of Commerce (KDC) will provide matching dollars up to $10,000 for eligible entities to utilize towards the completion of the Certified Sites program application.
The funding is available for non-metro counties with a population less than 50,000. Applications from the following counties are not eligible: Butler, Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Reno, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, Shawnee, & Wyandotte.
Certified Sites Grant Timeline
January 1, 2023 – Applications Open until funding expires
Use of Funds
Eligible expenditures include the consulting services, marketing costs, and engineering expenditures related to the completion of the Certified Sites program application.
Program Requirements
The requirement period begins upon contract execution. Eligible costs will only be allowed within this timeframe. Grantees are required to submit monthly reports to KDC. Grantees much complete site certification within twelve months of award notification. If additional time is needed, a three-month extension request must be submitted through a formal, written request to KDC. Extension requests are due 30 days prior to the end of the approved period of completion, and the request must contain the following information:
- Progress achieved thus far (including obligated and expended funds).
- Timeline detailing key activities needing to be completed.
- Compelling justification as to why an extension is required, such as demonstrating a direct cause and effect between external circumstances beyond the recipients control and the inability to complete a certification prior to the end of the twelve-month period.
Changes in Scope
Recipients are prohibited from changing the scope of the funded project. Recipients shall not modify projects and/or incur costs associated with any modifications without first receiving written approval from KDC.
Match Requirement
All applicants are required to provide matching funds on a 1:1 basis.
Eligible sources for matching funds include:
- General Operating Funds.
- In-Kind donated services related to the Certified Sites Program.
- Valuation of Brownfield Program.
Disbursement Method:
Grant funds will be advanced proportional to the proof of matching funds in the following manner: The first disbursement of funds will include 50% of the organization’s grant award, after required match is documented as committed. All match commitment documentation must clearly identify the dollar amount, the source(s) of the funds, the proposed uses that comply with the requirements of this notice and be signed by the authorized official. The organization must submit sufficient records to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the agreement for the advanced award amount and the proportional match prior to the release of the second disbursement.
The second disbursement will be advanced similar to the first. After the submission of the remaining match commitment documentation, the second 50% of the allocation will be disbursed. Sufficient records are required for 100% of the total project budget, and failure to do so will result in repayment.
Funds will be disbursed within 30 days after all documents are reviewed and substantiated.
Example: An organization is allocated an award of $10,000, and the required match is $10,000. The total project budget is $20,000. Upon execution of the agreement and documentation is submitted that 50% of the match ($5,000) is committed, 50% of the award ($5,000) will be advanced to the grantee. Once the first 50% of the total project budget ($10,000) is expended and proof of cost and payment are submitted and approved, the second disbursement of $5,000 will be advanced following the submission of the remaining match commitment documentation ($5,000).
Program Manager
Corrie Ann Campbell
785-213-7312
Reports are to be submitted even if no activity has taken place during the quarter and must be submitted by the following dates: January 20 (for qtr ending December 31), April 20 (for qtr ending March 31), July 20 (for qtr ending June 30), and October 20 (for qtr ending September 30).
These awards assist local government in meeting community needs created by severe natural or other disasters that pose immediate threats to the health or welfare of the community and for which no other financial resources are available.
Application for Urgent Need must be completed within 6 months of the issue occurring.
The purpose of Commercial Rehabilitation grants is to help cities improve the quality of their downtown commercial districts by assisting private property owners in the rehabilitation of blighted buildings. It is hoped that strategic investment of grant funds will help prevent the spread of blighted conditions to other nearby structures.
Application will remain open until all available funds have been obligated.
Website: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs/cdbg/cdbg-comm-rehab/
Under the Economic Development category, a private for-profit business or an agricultural cooperative participates with a city or county in the application process. The city or county is the legal applicant. The private for-profit business or agricultural cooperative must provide financial information and a business plan as part of the application process.
All applicants for Economic Development assistance must notify Commerce 10 days prior to submitting an application for funding. The notification may be in the form of a telephone call, e-mail, fax, or written correspondence.
CDBG funds may be used for infrastructure improvements, land acquisition, site preparation, building construction or renovation, machinery, equipment, lease payments, inventory, payroll and other working capital items. CDBG funds may not be used for bail-outs or financial restructuring. A project funded under this category must lead to the creation or retention of permanent jobs in Kansas.
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