Community Facilities: Large Grants

The Community Facilities: Large Grants Program is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The program is authorized under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and governed by federal regulations at 24 CFR Part 570, Subpart I. The initiative is designed to help eligible Kansas cities and counties undertake substantial public facility and infrastructure improvements that improve community quality of life, increase public access to services, and support long-term community development goals. The program specifically targets projects that benefit low- and moderate-income residents and requires that all funded activities meet a qualifying CDBG national objective. The program is intended for non-entitlement communities in Kansas, meaning communities that do not receive direct annual CDBG allocations from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grant supports a broad range of eligible public facility and infrastructure projects without requiring applicants to fit within narrowly defined subcategories. Eligible activities include construction, renovation, or expansion of libraries, senior centers, nonprofit childcare centers, parks, playgrounds, recreation facilities, sidewalks, public restrooms, trails, ADA accessibility improvements, streets, storm drainage systems, fire stations, fire truck purchases, and public storm shelters. Funding may also support post-award engineering, architectural, and administrative services. New community centers are not eligible under this funding category and must instead apply through a separate Blueprint to Build program. The program has a combined statewide funding allocation of $7.6 million for Community Facilities grants in 2026, with approximately 10 expected awards. Communities with populations below 2,500 may request up to $650,000, while larger communities may request up to $1,500,000. The minimum request amount is $210,001. Eligible applicants are limited to Kansas cities and counties that are not federally designated entitlement communities. The following areas are specifically excluded from eligibility: Kansas City, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Overland Park, Topeka, Wichita, and all of Johnson County. Communities currently operating under a project time extension are also ineligible until their existing project is formally closed. All proposed projects must principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons, with at least 51 percent of beneficiaries meeting HUD low- and moderate-income standards. Applicants may establish eligibility through HUD census data or by conducting an approved income survey. Certain projects may qualify under the Limited Clientele national objective, but applicants are encouraged to consult directly with CDBG staff regarding appropriate compliance methods. The program requires a minimum local match equal to 20 percent of the CDBG request amount. Matching funds may come from public or private sources, including local government funds, bank loans, owner equity, industrial revenue bonds, grants from other agencies, or economic development organizations. At least 10 percent of the match must consist of cash from a local source, and in-kind contributions cannot exceed 10 percent of the local match. Projects providing higher local match percentages receive additional scoring points during evaluation. Applications that secure at least 50 percent matching funds relative to the CDBG request receive maximum leverage points. Additional bonus points are available for communities that have not received certain prior CDBG awards within the past five years and for projects obtaining at least 10 percent of match funding from private sources such as foundations. The application process includes several mandatory pre-submission requirements. Applicants must first submit a pre-application, which must be approved before a full application can be submitted. The pre-application deadline is September 15, 2026, and Kansas Commerce reviews submissions within approximately ten days. Applicants are also required to conduct an initial public hearing between 15 and 120 days before submission of the final application. Public hearing notices must be published at least five full days in advance. Construction-related projects require a Preliminary Engineering Report or Preliminary Architectural Report prepared by a licensed professional. Applicants must also complete an Environmental Determination of Level of Review form and comply with citizen participation requirements. Applications are submitted through the Kansas Commerce online grants portal, and incomplete applications are not reviewed for funding consideration. Applications are evaluated using a numerical scoring system based on project need, project alternatives, past efforts to address need, project readiness, project impact, matching funds, and optional bonus criteria. Reviewers assess the urgency and documentation of community needs, examination of alternative solutions, evidence of readiness to proceed, measurable benefits to low- and moderate-income residents, and long-term sustainability. Projects are also evaluated for geographic distribution and the applicant’s capacity to complete the project within the required timeline. Grantees are expected to complete projects within a 24-month grant period and comply with federal requirements such as environmental review, Davis-Bacon wage standards, Uniform Relocation Assistance requirements, Build America Buy America provisions, and Section 3 employment requirements when applicable. The 2026 application period opens March 2, 2026 and closes October 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM Central Time. Applications may be reviewed monthly if received by the 15th of a month. Award notifications are generally issued 20 to 30 days following the submission deadline. Grantees must submit quarterly performance and financial reports and maintain records for at least three years after grant closeout. Program inquiries may be directed to the Kansas Department of Commerce CDBG team at CDBG@ks.gov or by phone at 785-296-3481. Applicants may also contact Jason Teal, CDBG Specialist, at Jason.D.Teal@ks.gov or 785-379-1868 for additional guidance regarding eligibility and application preparation.

Document community need with measurable data and evidence of urgency. Provide strong matching funds because projects with 50 percent or greater leverage receive maximum points. Secure private funding sources when possible for bonus points. Complete readiness items before applying including professional services procurement and property documentation. Obtain broad community support through letters of support and citizen participation activities.