(MSC News) --State economic development grants have been awarded for projects in fifteen rural Kansas communities--including Hiawatha and Seneca.
The Office of Rural Prosperity at the Kansas Department of Commerce announced Wednesday the awarding of of nearly $338,000 in Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) grants. The grant awards will be matched with more $744,000 in local contributions, bringing the total investment available for the projects to almost $1.1 million.
The Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development was awarded a $25,000 grant. The funds will be used to furnish the Natchez Street Cafe with ADA-compliant tables, chairs and booths
Seneca Downtown Impact, Inc. was awarded a nearly $12,000 grant. The funds will be used to improve downtown gathering spaces with portable picnic tables, as well as adding privacy fencing and improving parking for a daycare facility shared with small businesses.
The grants are for communities with a population of 5,000 or less, and require a minimum 10 percent match. The projects must be focused on economic development and revitalization efforts through one of four categories: Childcare and Senior Programming, Community Vibrancy, Food Retail or Libraries.
