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 </figure>TOPEKA – Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today the award of more than $17 million in Community Development Block Grants to 39 Kansas communities.A total of $17,486,103 in federal funds is being made available through the CDBG program this year. Communities receiving grants have presented plans for projects to make improvements toward water and wastewater systems, streets, facilities and housing.“Quality of life is key to economic development,” Secretary Toland said. “Each of these investments in critical infrastructure helps keep communities competitive as they work to retain and recruit residents and businesses. Governor Kelly and I are proud to support these projects in rural communities across our state.”CDBG funds are one of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities. Each community awarded has a population less than 50,000.The CDBG program allows the Department of Commerce to distribute federal funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their communities. To receive funds, projects must meet at least one of the following federally mandated criteria:• The project benefits low- or moderate-income individuals• The project removes or prevents slum or blight conditions• The project eliminates an urgent need created by a disaster when local funds are unavailableGrants in this category are awarded through an annual competition and support a variety of activities in communities throughout the state of Kansas.The following northwest Kansas communities are recipients of Community Development Block Grants:• The&nbsp;City of St. Francis&nbsp;will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $812,110 in local city matching funds.• The&nbsp;City of Oberlin&nbsp;will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution improvements throughout the city. The city has local funds of $662,700 to contribute in matching funds.•&nbsp;The&nbsp;City of Ellis&nbsp;will receive $412,113 in CDBG funds to make improvements to its water distribution system. The city will provide all matching funds themselves in the amount of $412,112.•&nbsp;Osborne County&nbsp;will receive $60,350 in CDBG grant funds to purchase a new brush fire truck for the county. The county will contribute $60,350 through funds secured through the Osborne County RFD #3.• The&nbsp;City of Liebenthal&nbsp;will receive $220,850 in CDBG grant funds to make improvements to their sanitary sewer treatment facility and install a new pump station. The city will contribute $220,850 in matching funds they have secured through the USDA Rural Development.• The&nbsp;City of Lucas&nbsp;will receive $264,852 in CDBG grant funds to complete a Community Center and Library project. The city will contribute $264,853 which they secured through USDA Rural Development.• The&nbsp;City of Russell&nbsp;will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $992,800 in local city matching funds.• The&nbsp;City of Leoti&nbsp;will receive $596,450 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $596,450 in local city matching funds.

NW Kan. communities will receive portions of $17M in grant money