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Kansas Office of Recovery





May 5, 2023






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This week’s edition of the Office of Recovery Newsletter features the announcement of a grant opportunity approved through the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) process for broadband infrastructure projects – the Lasting Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (LINC) program. More details are below. 

Also featured is the announcement of awards for two grant programs funded through the SPARK process. The ARPA Building Opportunities for the Disabled and Elderly (ABODE) program will provide $10 million to nine recipients for the construction or renovation of housing for persons with disabilities and the elderly. The Building a Stronger Economy 2.0 (BASE 2.0) program will provide $50 million in grants to 38 awardees to address infrastructure and economic development needs where solutions were delayed or slowed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Information on the Kansas Education Enrichment Program (KEEP), which is now open for application, is also included. The program provides qualifying parents and guardians with a one-time $1,000 award per child to pay for educational goods and services, such as tutoring and school supplies. Information on the program and how to apply is below. 

For the latest information on Treasury updates and information about resources available to Kansans, see the “Updates to Services and Support” section of this newsletter. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Office of Recovery website at: COVID.ks.gov [ [link removed] ]  

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Program Spotlight

Broadband

Broadband Infrastructure Program Guidelines Announced 

The Kansas Office of Broadband Development has announced a new program aimed at helping Kansas communities that lack high-speed internet. The Lasting Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (LINC) program will provide $30 million in competitive funding opportunities to build the infrastructure needed for more homes and businesses to access broadband. This program was approved through the SPARK process in December 2022.

The goal of the LINC program is to reduce the cost of internet service, increase its availability, and improve its performance for users. LINC will provide opportunities for increased adoption of the internet by focusing on funding for: 


* Broadband infrastructure enabling end-user locations with a minimum of 100/20 Mbps speeds. 
* Internet Exchange Point facilities to improve the overall internet access service quality for all Kansans. 
* Middle Mile infrastructure to reduce overall costs in delivering broadband to end-users. 

Entities eligible to apply for the LINC program include internet service providers, political subdivisions, tribal governments, cooperatives, and non-profit organizations. Projects in higher-cost, rural areas are eligible for greater public matches to encourage providers to build out otherwise financially unviable areas. Projects submitted to the Capital Projects Funds program can be considered for these awards. 

The Kansas Office of Broadband has been holding meetings across the state to solicit feedback for its five-year broadband access strategic plan. Listening sessions across the state have highlighted the need for continued investment in broadband. 

More information about the LINC program is available at kansascommerce.gov/linc [ [link removed] ]. 

Additional details about federal broadband efforts are available at AffordableConnectivity.gov [ [link removed] ] and InternetforAll.gov [ [link removed] ].

 

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housing stock
*ABODE Awards Announced* 

The Kansas Department of Commerce announced that nearly $10 million has been awarded to nine recipients for the construction or renovation of housing for persons with disabilities and the elderly. Funding was made available through the ARPA Building Opportunities for the Disabled and Elderly (ABODE) program launched by Commerce earlier this year. 

The funds were designated by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee and approved by the State Finance Council to address housing issues faced by these high-need populations. 

ABODE applications included health and safety renovations to existing buildings or the construction of new multi-housing units that accommodate individuals who are elderly and/or disabled. Project design, engineering costs, and architectural designs were also permitted as eligible expenditures. Awardees will have two years to complete their projects and utilize all awarded funds. 

The $9.8 million in ABODE grants awardees include: 


* Cottonwood Falls Housing Authority, Cottonwood Falls, $1,000,000 

* Derby Senior Living, Derby, $1,500,000 
* Maple Gardens Village, Wichita, $1,190,000 
* Menninger Clock Tower Apartments, Topeka, $637,500 
* John’s Place Apartments, Victoria, $850,000 
* Sunflower Flats, Manhattan, $1,500,000
* Villas at Pinnacle Pointe, Ottawa, $1,080,000 
* Wiswell Farms Senior Villas, Spring Hill, $1,468,800 
* WK Housing, Meade, $548,250 

For more information about the program, click here [ [link removed] ]. 

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BASE
*BASE 2.0 Awards Announced* 

The Kansas Department of Commerce announced awardees for the second round of the Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) economic development grant program. Thirty-eight awardees will receive a share of nearly $50 million in BASE grants, which will be used to address infrastructure and economic development needs where solutions were delayed or slowed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Kansas Department of Commerce reviewed more than 400 applications from the first round and more than 100 new applications from the second round. In total, more than $2 billion in funding was requested for the nearly $50 million program, demonstrating both the need for this program and the many opportunities that exist throughout the state. 

The second round of the BASE grant program, as approved by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee, offers matching funds to address economic development opportunities with the goal of expanding the state’s base of businesses and residents. 

Funds will support infrastructure investments associated with economic development projects. In addition to funds awarded, the BASE program has generated $44 million in matching investment by public and private stakeholders for awarded projects. 

County and local governments, economic development organizations, local chambers of commerce, and other stakeholders were eligible to apply for the second round of the BASE grant. Applications not awarded from the first round were also considered in the second round. There is a minimum 25% applicant match requirement and applicants were required to document how the project was delayed or affected negatively due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For a list of BASE grant recipients and more information on the program, click here [ [link removed] ]. 

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SPARK Programs
SPARK

In December the State Finance Council approved a total of $374 million in COVID-19 relief funds for broadband infrastructure and adoption, the modernization and improvement of government services, economic development, and health and education initiatives recommended by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee. 

The portfolio of approved funding includes competitive grant programs in the four SPARK Advisory Panel areas: Connectivity, Efficiency and Modernization, Health and Education, and Economic Revitalization. 

An overview of approved programs and their current status is available on the Office of Recovery’s website [ [link removed] ]. 

Additional details on these competitive funding opportunities, including information on the timeline and process to apply for funding through these programs, will be shared as available.  

Those that previously submitted an idea submission to the SPARK process will be notified of funding opportunities relevant to their proposal once that information is available.  

Programs approved through the SPARK process that are currently open for application include: 


* *Child Care Capacity Accelerator - *[link removed] [ [link removed] ]*  * 
* *Local Safety and Security Equipment Grant Program - *[link removed]-(lsse) [ [link removed]-(lsse)?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]* * 
* *Small-Town Water and Sewer Infrastructure Assistance Program - *[link removed] [ [link removed] ]  
* *Lasting Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (LINC) Program - *[link removed] [ [link removed] ]* *

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Updates to Services and Support
Services and Support
*Qualifying Families Can Apply for $1000 per Student for Learning Recovery* 

The Kansas Education Enrichment Program (KEEP) is open to applications from qualifying parents and guardians of Kansas students. KEEP provides a $1,000 award per student to pay for various educational goods and services that promote learning recovery and facilitate academic enrichment opportunities.  

KEEP funds may be used on various enrichment and educational activities, including:​  


* Day and overnight camps with academic-related curriculum such as music, arts, science, technology, agriculture, mathematics, and engineering  

* Curriculum and educational materials, including certain technological devices  
* Language classes  
* Musical instruments and lessons  
* Tutoring  

The funds are not eligible for school tuition. 

Eligibility for KEEP funds is determined by financial need, and funds will be distributed to actively enrolled K-12 Kansas students between the ages of 5-18. Students whose household income is less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible. 

Subject to funding availability, future waves of funding may be provided with expanded household income eligibility parameters.  

Families can learn if they qualify, apply for the program, read the full handbook of rules and instructions, and browse the marketplace of qualified service providers at www.keep.ks.gov [ [link removed] ]. Program participants will have access to a web and mobile app for using their awarded funds. 

Businesses that offer educational opportunities and services are invited to join the KEEP Marketplace to assist students and families. Parents and guardians can search for those opportunities across Kansas on the KEEP Marketplace. Parents and guardians may also submit requests for additional businesses to be added to the Marketplace if they know of a business that would qualify. 

Businesses interested in becoming a provider on the KEEP Marketplace can apply to become a Qualified Education Service Provider on the program website: www.keep.ks.gov. [ [link removed] ]  

KEEP is being offered through a contract between Merit International, Inc. and the Kansas Office of Recovery to provide educational activities and learning opportunities to students across Kansas to promote educational learning recovery in response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is funded with American Rescue Plan Act dollars approved through the SPARK process.  






Contact the RO

The Office of Recovery is here to offer support and coordination.  Questions and inquiries may be submitted via the Contact Us [ [link removed] ] form. Please visit covid.ks.gov [ [link removed] ] for up-to-date information and resources on recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic for Kansas residents, businesses, and communities.

*Question/Request Form* [ [link removed] ]


Warm Regards,

*The Office of Recovery*

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