(KAIR)--Area communities are named to benefit through more than $26 million awarded for water projects and technical assistance across Kansas.

Announcement of the awarded communities comes through a release from the office of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, which explains that, in 2023, legislation " increased the amount of state funding for the State Water Plan Fund and created two new water related grant funds: the Technical Assistance Grant Fund and Water Projects Grant Fund."

Named to receive $45,000 through the Technical Assistance Grant Fund is the Jefferson County community of Ozawkie, the lone local recipient in that category. However, two local communities are named to benefit through the Water Projects Grant Fund. Atchison County's Huron community will receive $520,805 while Doniphan County's City of Troy is named as the recipient of $824,520.

Kelly, in the release, calls the funding "a crucial step in addressing pressing water issues to safeguard our water supply for generations to come.”

The grant program received over 300 applications in its first year, and an additional $10 million was provided in 2024 through the Legislature to address the high demand for funding.