Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2 Million in CARES Act Funding to Boost Economic Development Programs Critical to Helping Kansas Respond to Coronavirus

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $2 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to five EDA Economic Development District organizations across Kansas to update economic development plans and fortify programs to assist communities in responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Trump Administration is eager to allocate these essential CARES Act funds and deliver on our promise to help American communities recover from the impact of COVID-19,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “I am proud of the perseverance and strength shown by our communities coast to coast throughout this pandemic, and these funds will help provide Kansas with resources to make a swift and lasting economic comeback.”

“These investments come at a crucial time to help Kansas’ and our nation’s economy come roaring back and provide hard-working Americans with new opportunities,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “We are pleased to make these investments in Kansas’ EDA Economic Development Districts to help them prevent, prepare, and respond to coronavirus.”

“COVID-19 has presented many challenges for Kansas businesses and communities,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “We appreciate the work of the U.S. Department of Commerce and their investments in our state. These funds are essential to strengthening Kansas’ foundation and keeping us on the road to recovery.”

“I’m pleased to see the Administration distributing funds Congress allocated in the CARES Act,” said Senator Pat Roberts. “These economic development programs will aid Kansans as we work together to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.”

“As Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, I support the ongoing and critical mission of the EDA to assist the economic activity of our communities, especially during this pandemic,” said Senator Jerry Moran. “These grants are an investment into small businesses that support local jobs and provide invaluable resources to many communities across the region.”

“Local Kansas leaders continue to tell me about the need for support for small businesses to ensure they get through the ongoing impacts of the economic shutdown and keep Kansans employed and Main Streets alive,” said Congressman Roger Marshall, M.D. (KS-01). “By continuing to administer funds through the CARES Act, the Trump Administration continues to support Kansas business owners, making sure jobs remain in our communities and our economy continues its regrowth.”

“Kansans are eager to get back to work safely,” said Congressman Ron Estes (KS-04). “Additional funding to update our economic development plans is a major step in restoring and rebuilding our communities. I’m grateful that the Department of Commerce and the Trump Administration are dedicated to helping hard-working families across Kansas.”

The EDA investments announced today are:

• North Central Regional Planning Commission, Beloit, Kansas, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by hiring a full-time regional disaster recovery coordinator; working with local partners to provide remote and on-site technical assistance training to local businesses as part of an effort to boost the region's economy.
• Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission, Hill City, Kansas, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by fostering a growing, diversified, stable economy and business climate that helps create jobs while retaining and expanding existing businesses. Efforts include supporting business entrepreneurship; increased utilization and value of raw products produced in Northwest Kansas through value-added processes; and opportunities that expand technology and electronic data transfer.
• South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD), Bel Aire, Kansas, will receive a $399,997 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by enhancing SCKEDD’s capacity to collaborate strategically with community stakeholders and regional economic development organizations, as well as state and federal partners.
• Flint Hills Regional Council, Fort Riley, Kansas, will receive a $399,886 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by coordinating recovery, resilience planning and implementing these efforts throughout the region.
• Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission, Chanute, Kansas, will receive a $350,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by working to diversify the region’s economy; implementing strategies and educational opportunities to grow the critical manufacturing sector; hiring additional staff; and supporting workforce needs.

These entities, all EDA-designated Economic Development Districts (EDD), are some of the more than 850 existing, high-performing EDA EDD, University Center, Tribal, and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant recipients invited to apply for supplemental funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The CARES Act, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump, provides EDA with $1.5 billion for economic development assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

On May 7, Secretary Ross announced that EDA is accepting applications for CARES Act Recovery Assistance funding opportunities.

EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) (PDF) program, provides a wide-range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. For complete information, please visit our recently updated EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance page.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.