Office of Rural Prosperity

Earlier this week, our team visited Rural Champion Stacy in Grinnell. Despite the devastation from a recent tornado, Stacy’s resilience and the outpouring of support from family, friends, and volunteers are nothing short of inspiring. 🌻

Last week, ORP hit the road with the Quality Places Division for a Community Impact Tour across Kansas! Along the way, we visited HEAL & SEED projects turning local vision into lasting change. The passion and pride in rural Kansas are inspiring. 🌻 #CDWEEK2025

EXCITING NEWS!

SEED grant projects are in full swing! 🌱Check out some progress photos from a couple of this year's awardees - Weskan, Delia and Ransom. SEED = Investing in KS towns under 5K population to boost food access, libraries, childcare + senior programming, and community vibrancy.

We are celebrating National Community Development Week (April 21-25) with the inaugural Community Impact Tour! This is a five-day, 26-stop tour highlighting the transformative projects that have taken place across the Sunflower State. bit.ly/42EgTG2

The Rural Murals grant is accepting applications now through May 16! We hope you feel inspired by these past mural projects, which successfully contributed to their towns’ beautification efforts. 🎨 Learn more and apply ➡️ kansascommerce.gov/orp/kansas-rur… #RuralMurals #ORP

Our team enjoyed getting to connect and brainstorm with fellow rural Kansans last week at the Big Rural Brainstorm! Thank you to the Kansas Sampler Foundation for hosting this energizing and impactful gathering. 🌻

We have launched the Supporting Innovative Growth through New Signage (SIGNS) program, where $250,000 will be available to improve the appearance and appeal of retail and commercial business signage in downtowns across our great state. bit.ly/4i7AW5q

ROZ Alumni Spotlight! 🌻 Thanks to Ketino from Phillips County for sharing her experience with the Rural Opportunity Zone Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program.

One of our Grassroots Strategy Developers, Kelli Hansen, joined others from the @KansasCommerce and Sunflower Electric to share more about funding opportunities and resources available. We love visiting communities across Kansas!🌻

Great turnout in Wakeeney last week for a community resource event hosted by Innovation Center for Northwest Kansas communities in the Dane G. Hansen Foundation service area!

Join us April 8 & 9 for the Rural Health & Prosperity Grants 101 Workshop in Emporia! Discover grant opportunities, hear success stories, and get application tips for your community or organization. The workshop is free, but registration is required. kansascommerce.gov/orp/ruralworks…

ORP staff were all over #ruralKS this week! 🚗Highlights include: 🔹WKREDA Quarterly Business Conference in Concordia 🔹Tour at Cloud County Community College 🔹Dodge City Night in Topeka 🔹HEAL project visits bringing positive impact to communities

ROZ Alumni Spotlight! 🔦 Thanks to Michael from Nemaha County for sharing his experience with the Rural Opportunity Zones Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program. #RuralOpportunityZones

We've made big changes to our Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - Community Facilities program. This update will change the game for projects across Kansas. bit.ly/41tFMoc

To better match busy schedules, @KansasWorkforce is hosting its first-ever weekend job fair starting this Friday and ending on Sunday! If you're looking for a new job or different career, make sure to take advantage of this opportunity. bit.ly/4b7Vmcw

A network of devoted Rural Champions working to strengthen Kansas communities.🌻

Nearly $10.9 million has been awarded to 24 rural Kansas communities through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program! This funding will assist with community development projects that will enhance the quality of life for Kansans. bit.ly/4aPtxoY

Applications open March 1 for our Community Service Tax Credit Program! $4.13M in tax credits will be available to provide organizations with the opportunity take on major capital campaigns aimed at revitalizing Kansas communities. bit.ly/412VnLr

The Rural Champions quarterly training took place last week in Comanche County! 🌟 The training included grant researching, writing and stacking funding for maximum impact. Champions also met with Lt. Governor David Toland and shared more about their local projects. #ORP