Kansas Receives Additional CARES Act Funding for Small Businesses

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced $2 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration to five regions of Kansas hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the $2.5 million awarded to Kansas’ regional planning commissioners in July.

“Local Kansas leaders continue to tell me about the need for support for small businesses to ensure they get through the ongoing impacts of the economic slowdown and keep Kansans employed and Main Streets alive,” said U.S. Congressman Roger Marshall, M.D. “By continuing to administer funds through the CARES Act, the Trump Administration continues to support Kansas business owners, making sure jobs remain in our communities and our economy continues its regrowth.”

The funding will go to organizations across Kansas to update economic development plans and fortify programs to assist communities in responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

The EDA grants made to Kansas include:

North Central Regional Planning Commission, Beloit, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by hiring a full-time regional disaster recovery coordinator; working with local partners to provide remote and on-site technical assistance training to local businesses as part of an effort to boost the region’s economy.
Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission, Hill City, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by fostering a growing, diversified, stable economy and business climate that helps create above-average paying jobs while retaining and expanding existing businesses. Efforts include supporting business entrepreneurship; increased utilization and value of raw products produced in Northwest Kansas through value-added processes and funding for such businesses; and opportunities that expand technology and electronic data transfer.
South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD), Bel Aire, will receive a $399,997 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by enhancing SCKEDD’s capacity to collaborate strategically with community stakeholders and regional peer economic development organizations, as well as state and federal partners.
Flint Hills Regional Council, Fort Riley, will receive a $399,886 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by coordinating recovery, resilience planning and implementing these efforts throughout the region.
Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission, Chanute, will receive a $350,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by working to diversify the region’s economy; implementing strategies and educational opportunities to grow the critical manufacturing sector; hiring additional staff; and supporting workforce needs.

What the Department of Commerce is saying:

“The Trump Administration is eager to allocate these essential CARES Act funds and deliver on our promise to help American communities recover from the impact of COVID-19,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “I am proud of the perseverance and strength shown by our communities coast to coast throughout this pandemic, and these funds will help provide Kansas with resources to make a swift and lasting economic comeback.”

“These investments come at a crucial time to help Kansas’ and our nation’s economy come roaring back and provide hard-working Americans with new opportunities,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “We are pleased to make these investments in Kansas’ EDA Economic Development Districts to help them prevent, prepare, and respond to coronavirus.”