Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) Program (KS) Grant

Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) Program (KS) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Kansas Department of Commerce
Amount: Up to US $100,000
Last Updated: October 13, 2025

Summary

The Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) Program, initiated by the Kansas Department of Commerce, aims to revitalize underutilized downtown buildings in rural Kansas. The program offers grants for building and façade improvements, encouraging economic activity by supporting new businesses, housing, and civic engagement. Eligible projects must demonstrate potential for revitalization and adhere to local design standards. Funding includes up to $100,000 for building grants and $40,000 for façade improvements, requiring a 1:1 match from applicants.

Overview

Background Realizing the need to rehabilitate downtown buildings with funding that can be disbursed quickly and efficiently, the Kansas Department of Commerce has partnered with the Patterson Family Foundation to create the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) program. HEAL focuses on projects that show potential as economic drivers in Kansas communities. The HEAL program is designed to bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for: New or expanding businessesHousingArts and cultureCivic engagementChildcareEntrepreneurship Purpose The HEAL program was created to preserve and bring new economic activity to underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated downtown buildings in rural Kansas. Building grants are intended to bring buildings back into productive use as spaces for new or expanding businesses, childcare, housing, arts and culture, civic engagement, or entrepreneurship. Façade grants are intended to rehabilitate the façade or street view of downtown buildings in need of repair to stimulate economic growth and reinvestment in the downtown district. The building in need of façade rehabilitation should either have a tenant or be tenant-ready. Funding Building Grant Amount Award$30 per square foot of the building area, not to exceed $100,000.Facade Grant Amount Award$30 per square foot of the building area, not to exceed $40,000.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible ApplicantsNonprofit or local government organizations applying on behalf of building owners of underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated downtown buildings or those needing façade improvements are eligible applicants for the HEAL program.A 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: Tribal NationsDesignated Kansas Main Street ProgramsEconomic Development Corporations or Chambers of CommerceCities CountiesSchools501(c)3 or 501(c)6 organizations Local Community FoundationsThe grant application must be made by a local or county organization on behalf of the building’s owner.Match RequirementA 1:1 match minimum and proof of matching funds from the building owner.Project Eligibility RequirementsProperties must be in cities with a population of less than 50,000. Properties must be in the downtown business district or corridor and hold architectural significance for the district. Projects must show potential for reuse and revitalization as economic drivers in the community. The awarded project may include funding from any state or federal source if there is no duplication of benefit. Projects must incorporate Main Street Design Standards and follow local ordinances and code for rehab/construction/façade improvements. Projects must begin and complete construction within required timeframe, with a tenant in place (see website for timeframe)Tenant must be leasing the space.   Work must not begin before the award of the grant except for removal of façade slipcovers such as metal, stucco, tiles, stone veneer. No more than one HEAL grant may be awarded to any city. Eligible Project ExpensesBuilding GrantMasonry, 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. Façade GrantMasonry, windows, storefronts, cornices, doors, awnings, ADA accessibility solutions. This list is not exhaustive. Project expenses not listed here are at the discretion of the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce for eligibility under the grant. Up to 5% of the grant award may be retained by the organization for administration.

Ineligibility

Ineligible ApplicantsPreviously awarded HEAL projects and cities are not eligible to applyArkansas City, Augusta, Hutchinson, Belleville, Beloit, Bonner Springs, Clay Center, Corning, Dodge City, Halstead, Hays, Hillsboro, Lewis, Kinsley, Otis, Meriden, Miltonvale, Ness City, Oakley, Osawatomie, Ottawa, Overbrook, Pittsburg, Russell, Seneca, Spearville, St. Francis, Sterling, Sylvan Grove, Wathena, White Cloud, Yates Center            Site cleanup, removal of debris, and demolition do not qualify as construction.Work previously completed is not eligible for this grant program. Ineligible Project ExpensesBuilding GrantProfessional services (architect and engineering fees), acquisition costs, or leasing contracts. Façade GrantProfessional services (architect and engineering fees) and slipcover removal such as metal, stucco, tiles, or stone veneer – this should be finished prior to applying for a façade grant. This list is not exhaustive. Grant funds are to be utilized for the physical construction of the project.