Welcome to the online application portal for the Kansas Department of Commerce! Review and apply for funding opportunities.
Recognizing that downtown buildings are key community assets that are essential to growing economic development in rural communities, Commerce has created the SIGNS Grant to improve the attractiveness of downtown retail and commercial business storefront signs. The purpose of this program is to encourage property owners or business tenants to design and install high-quality, creative, and interesting signs that add to the vitality, livability, and overall welcoming atmosphere of a rural downtown commercial district, while following standard sign guidelines that will support the long-term aesthetics and historical character of Kansas downtowns. The goal of this program is to provide matching funding and design support that will enhance sign character and visual appeal for locally owned retail and commercial businesses that are symbolic and unique to the business while maintaining the historical character of the building and the commercial district.
Funding Available
The total funds available will be $250,000. Applicants may request funding for eligible one-time project expenses in the range of $1,000 to $50,000. Applicants are required to demonstrate investment in the projects by providing a minimum cash match of 50% if the population is less than 50,000 but more than 2,500 population, or 25% cash match if a community has less than 2,500 population. In-kind contributions are eligible but will only increase the match contribution above the minimum match cash contribution requirement.
Minimum $1,000 – Maximum $50,000 – The program is intended to support multiple buildings and/or businesses in a downtown or multiple downtowns in a region. Applicants must complete at least 3 or more signs on 3 or more businesses.
Full guidelines can be read at www.kansascommerce.gov/signs
The TAPS Grant is designed to support projects that enhance the quality and usability of public spaces by turning overlooked or unattractive infrastructure into engaging and functional elements of the community. These public art interventions will encourage local artists and organizations to engage with the community, turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, and enhance the environment for residents and visitors alike.
By improving the quality of public spaces, this grant aims to repurpose mundane or unsightly objects—such as electrical boxes, fire hydrants, benches, and utility poles—into assets that contribute to the vibrancy, functionality, and beauty of the environment while fostering community pride and stimulating creativity.
Projects will add color, texture, engagement, and creativity to communities and spark conversation about the role of design in our landscapes.
Effective July 1, 2023, Governor Kelly signed into law the Kansas Apprenticeship Act (Act), which establishes a tax credit and grant incentive program for apprenticeships and creates a matching grant program. This act establishes an incentive fund for businesses and non-profits hiring registered apprentices. It is separated into 3 specific areas including $7.5 million in tax credits to for-profit businesses*, $2.5 million for non-profits and healthcare, and $3 million for K-12 Education. The incentive fund is a use-it-or-lose-it fund as it does not allow for carry-over funding nor building value. It also does not have a sunset clause.
Kansas Apprentice to Educator Grant Program (A2E) - Commerce awards and administers grants to eligible Teacher Educator apprentices attending applicant schools and awarded through their employer. The use of grant funds for the payment of apprentice tuition, fees, and the cost of books and materials, up to a maximum of $2,750 per year for four years. Disbursement method: Apprenticeship Grant funds will be reimbursed two times per year. Documentation showing expenditures will be required for each distribution. Purchase orders, invoices, and/or proof of payment via canceled checks or bank statements can be submitted as proof of expended matching funds and awarded dollars.
*The Non-Profit (non K12 educator) Grant Application is here: https://kansasdepartmentofcommerce.submittable.com/submit/279197/ks-apprenticeship-act-grant-agreement-application
Application periods:
Year 2025
Funding window 1: January 1 through April 30 for 2025
Funding window 2: Sept 1 through Nov 30 for 2025
Year 2026
Funding window 1: January 1 through April 30 for 2026
Funding window 2: Sept 1 through Nov 30 for 2026
For questions please contact:
Kansas Office of Apprenticeship - apprenticeship@ks.gov
Effective July 1, 2023, Governor Kelly signed into law the Kansas Apprenticeship Act (Act), which establishes a tax credit and grant incentive program for apprenticeships and creates a matching grant program. This act establishes an incentive fund for businesses and non-profits hiring registered apprentices. It is separated into 3 specific areas including $7.5 million in tax credits to for-profit businesses*, $2.5 million for non-profits and healthcare, and $3 million for K-12 Education. The incentive fund is a use-it-or-lose-it fund as it does not allow for carry-over funding nor building value. It also does not have a sunset clause.
- Kansas Nonprofit Apprenticeship Grant Program - Commerce awards and administers grants to eligible nonprofit employers and eligible nonprofit healthcare employers that employ an apprentice pursuant to a registered apprenticeship agreement. The amount of the grant is up to $2,750 for each employed apprentice, not to exceed 20 such grants in any taxable year per eligible employer and up to 4 years per apprentice. Disbursement method: Apprenticeship Grant funds will be reimbursed two times per year using a voucher method.
- Kansas Educator Apprenticeship Grant Program - Commerce awards and administers grants to eligible Teacher Educator apprentices attending applicant schools and awarded through their employer. The use of grant funds for the payment of apprentice tuition, fees, and the cost of books and materials, up to a maximum of $2,750 per year for four years. Disbursement method: Apprenticeship Grant funds will be reimbursed three times per year. Documentation showing expenditures will be required for each distribution. Purchase orders, invoices, and/or proof of payment via canceled checks or bank statements can be submitted as proof of expended matching funds and awarded dollars.
Grant funds may be used for project needs related to technical instruction for the registered apprenticeship, OJT, apprentice wages, staffing and/or FTE to implement and manage programs, marketing and outreach, and other allowable activities on an as-needed basis.
Application periods:
Fiscal Year – July 1, 2025 (Apprentice must have completed their probationary period and can only be claimed one time per calendar year.)
Funding window 1: January 1 through January 31 for 2025 (finished probationary period July – Dec 2024)
Funding window 2: May 1 through May 31 for 2025 (finished probationary period through Jan - June 2025)
Funding window 3: October 1 through October 31, 2025 (finished probationary period through Jan - Sept 2025)
Funding window 1: January 1 through January 31 for 2026 (finished probationary period July – Dec 2025)
Funding window 2: May 1 through May 31 for 2026 (finished probationary period through Jan - June 2026)
Funding window 3: October 1 through October 31, 2026 (finished probationary period through Jan - Sept 2026)
*Kansas For-Profit Businesses Tax Credits
The Kansas For-Profit Businesses Tax Credits authorizes Kansas Department of Revenue to award tax credits up to $2,500 until after December 31, 2025 when it goes up to $2,750 for each employed apprentice, not to exceed 20 such credits in any taxable year per eligible employer and up to 4 years per apprentice. The tax credit is to be claimed by an eligible employer for the taxable year in which the apprentice completed the probationary period or the taxable year succeeding the calendar year in which the apprentice completed the probationary period while employed by the eligible employer. Please contact the Kansas Department of Revenue for this tax credit: https://www.ksrevenue.gov/
Effective July 1, 2023, Governor Kelly signed into law the Kansas Apprenticeship Act (Act), which establishes a tax credit and grant incentive program for apprenticeships. This act establishes an incentive fund for businesses and non-profits hiring registered apprentices. It is separated into 3 specific areas including $7.5 million in tax credits to for-profit businesses*, $2.5 million for non-profits and healthcare, and $3 million for K-12 Education. The incentive fund is a use-it-or-lose-it fund.
This application is for Kansas For-Profit Businesses. This application is needed to verify eligibility and credit amount for each company applying. Please fill out this application for eligibility verification and review. The Kansas Office of Apprenticeship (KOA) will review this application and, if eligible, you will receive a 'tax credit confirmation' certificate that needs to be submitted with the Kansas Department of Revenue K-24 form and Kansas Tax Return.
Outlined below, and on our website, are the 'required steps' that each organization will need to take to qualify for the tax credit. More information can be found here - https://ksapprenticeship.org/resource-page/kansas-apprenticeship-tax-and-grant-act/.
- Ensure eligibility of apprentices.
- Complete KS Apprenticeship Act - Tax Credit Application form. This needs to be filled out by the company/taxpayer that plans to claim the credits.
- KOA will review and send a 'Tax Credit Confirmation' Certificate back to the company to confirm eligibility and the tax credit amount.
- The company fills out K-24 Form.
*NOTE* the credit amount allocated for the company will be listed on 'Tax Credit Confirmation' Certificate, which will be needed when filling out Line 1 on the K-24 Form.
5. Submit the Tax Credit Confirmation Certificate and K-24 Form with Kansas tax return.
Kansas For-Profit Businesses Tax Credits
The Kansas For-Profit Business Tax Credits authorize the Kansas Department of Revenue to award tax credits up to $2,500 for each apprentice employed on their 2024 probationary period expiration date OR 2024 anniversary of said probationary expiration date and may be awarded for up to 20 apprentices employed in each taxable year per eligible employer.
For questions please contact:
Kansas Office of Apprenticeship - apprenticeship@ks.gov
OR
Kansas Department of Revenue - kdor_tac@ks.gov
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 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).
Reports are to be submitted even if no activity has taken place during the quarter and must be submitted by the following dates: April 20 (for qtr. ending March 31), July 20 (for qtr. ending June 30), and October 20 (for qtr. ending September 30, January 20 (for qtr. ending December 31).
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.
For more information .....