Emergency Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (E-HEAL) Grant

Emergency Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (E-HEAL) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Kansas Department of Commerce
Amount: Up to US $100,000
Last Updated: March 12, 2025

Summary

The Emergency Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (E-HEAL) Grant aims to preserve rural downtown buildings threatened by demolition or collapse. With an annual budget of $500,000, it provides up to $100,000 per community for rehabilitation projects that benefit new businesses, childcare, and housing. Eligible projects must demonstrate a match and adhere to specific timelines for tenant commitments. This initiative supports revitalization efforts, ensuring these buildings contribute to local economic growth and cultural vitality.

Overview

Emergency Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (E-HEAL) Grant E-HEAL grants are intended to bring rural downtown buildings back from likely demolition or collapse and rehabilitate them into productive use as spaces for new or expanding businesses, childcare, housing, arts and culture, or entrepreneurship. In 2023, the Kansas Legislature and Governor Kelly approved an annual allocation of $500,000 for E-HEAL projects, establishing a rolling deadline program that can be quickly reviewed and awarded to stabilize a building at risk of collapse. Buildings that are at risk of imminent loss, that are causing damage to surrounding downtown buildings, and/or have significant damage due to fire, storms, wind, etc. are eligible projects for E-HEAL. A maximum of $100,000 will be awarded per community. If there is more than one building affected due to an event, the city or another local organization can apply for the maximum of $100,000 to save more than one building. There is a 1:1 match required for this grant (Example: $100,000 cash match required for a $100,000 grant award). The intent of this program is to bring this building into use by the end of the grant term, which is 30 months. The use of the building must be for one of the following: new or expanding businesses, childcare, healthcare, housing, arts and culture, or entrepreneurship. In the application, the final intent of use of the building must be identified, however, the specific tenant must be identified by one year from the award date, or occupants of the space must be identified and committed to by the 50% mark of construction completion. The second payment of the grant will not be paid until the business plan, proforma, and tenant commitment letter are provided, no later than one year from the date of the contract signing date. If the building was occupied at the time of the damage, it is eligible, however, an insurance claim, evaluation, and funding from insurance must be included as part of the project match. Funding The amount of funding available is currently budgeted at $500,000 annually. A maximum of $100,000 will be awarded per community annually. Awarded projects will be funded on the following schedule with the corresponding project milestones and deadlines: 50% of the awarded amount when proof of commencement of construction is verified. Site visit required. Deadline: 4 months following grant award. NOTE: Site cleanup, removal of debris, and demolition do not qualify as construction. 25% of the awarded amount when 50% of construction completion has been verified. Site visit required. A business plan, pro forma, and letter of tenant commitment are also required to receive this second payment. Deadline: one year from contract signature date. 25% of the awarded amount when 75% of construction completion has been verified. Site visit required. Deadline: two years after contract signature date. Projects that complete milestones ahead of deadlines will receive award payments once project updates, appropriate documentation, verification, and a site visit can be completed. The purpose of this funding mechanism is to ensure rapid progress to rehabilitate these buildings and provide assurance for local financial partners. Progress will be evaluated through monthly project updates completed by the applicant, fiscal reports in June and December completed by the applicant, and site visits with Commerce staff throughout the project. These are all required to keep projects moving forward, resolve challenges as they arise, and ensure successful completion of the project.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible ApplicantsA private building owner MUST have an eligible local partnering support organization APPLY for the grant on their behalf. This organization will commit to supporting the project through the fiscal administration of the grant funds (distributing the payments to the building owner), tracking the bi-annual financial reports, and ensuring that the building owner is on track with program deadlines. Eligible supporting and applicant organizations include: Designated Kansas Main Street Programs Economic Development Corporations or Chambers of Commerce Cities Counties Schools 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 organizations Local Community Foundations Tribal NationsEligible Building Grant Project ExpensesMasonry (including rebuilding of exterior walls), insulation, foundations, roofs and guttering, fire stairs, windows, doors, chimneys, walls, ceilings, floors, interior stairs, elevators, lighting and fixtures, electrical wiring, data and communication, wiring (not including equipment), HVAC systems and components, plumbing systems, fire suppression sprinkler systems, and ADA accessibility solutions. This list is not exhaustive. Project expenses not listed here are at the discretion of the Kansas Secretary Commerce for eligibility under the grant. Up to 2% of the grant award may be retained by the applicant organization for project administration expenses.

Ineligibility

Ineligible Building Grant Project Expenses:Professional services (architect and engineering fees), acquisition costs, or leasing contracts. This list is not exhaustive. Grant funds are to be utilized for the physical construction of the project.