Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced that the Kansas Department of Commerce awarded $750,000 in Downtown Revive & Thrive grants to support nine building renovation projects across Kansas. When matched with more than $286,000 in local contributions, the grants are expected to generate over $1 million in total investment to create spaces for business incubators.
The program is intended to convert vacant and underused buildings into accessible, modern, and sustainable workspaces. Toland said rural communities have historic and underused buildings that can help generate new economic opportunities, with Revive & Thrive designed to give rural entrepreneurs places to develop and test new business ideas.
Under the Downtown Revive & Thrive effort, renovated spaces can provide room and equipment for business incubators, pop-up retail and restaurants, and other innovative concepts aimed at supporting community growth and downtown vibrancy. The Office of Rural Prosperity of the Kansas Department of Commerce administers the program. Western Kansas News reported on the announcement, which also points readers to a place to review awarded projects and learn about additional Commerce grant opportunities.