Kansas awards more than $1.3 million in grants to revitalize rural downtowns
McPherson, Great Bend and Russell among 15 communities receiving HEAL funds to drive local economic growth
TOPEKA, Kan. — Fifteen rural Kansas communities will share more than $1.3 million in state grants to transform vacant and dilapidated downtown buildings into active commercial and residential spaces.
Lt. Gov. and Commerce Secretary David Toland announced the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) funding Wednesday. The grants will be combined with nearly $3.9 million in local matching contributions, generating a total investment of approximately $5.2 million across the state.
The latest round will fund diverse local revitalization projects, with notable investments in central Kansas. McPherson secured $100,000 to convert an underutilized upper-story space into short-term rental apartments. Russell received $98,588 to build residential units above an existing salon. In Great Bend, a $10,000 grant will fund a new entrance for a local aquarium store.
Created in 2021 by the Kansas Department of Commerce under Gov. Laura Kelly, the HEAL program targets towns seeking to rescue historic properties from vacancy or disrepair. Toland said the program continues to drive economic growth by turning underused structures into engines for new business activity and investment.
Other projects funded in the 2026 round include a 24-hour grocery store in McDonald, an event venue in Kinsley and new residential space above a historic theater in Seneca.
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