Peabody goes after $3 million in grant money
Staff writer
Twenty-nine property owners in Peabody’s historic district, Sunflower Theatre, and the city of Peabody have applied for nearly $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act money funneled through the Kansas Department of Commerce.
City council members signed off Monday night on the city’s own request for $725,000 for sidewalks and lampposts. Requests also were approved by the Peabody Main Street Association.
Jonathan Clayton, who works for the Commerce Department, helped guide Peabody’s application for the Building a Stronger Economy 2.0 grant, the second round of funding. He did so on his own, independent of his job, and at no cost, he said.
He was impressed with how Peabody leaders went after it.
“I was very impressed with the turnout and am very hopeful for a successful application,” he said.
Applications opened Jan. 3, and applicants made fast work of getting quotes, writing narratives, and developing business plans, Clayton said.
Individual commercial property owners in Peabody’s historic district applied for just more than $2.2 million. The association approved $1,639,950. Private property owners who submitted requests for $50,000 or less were approved for their full requests. Requests for more than $50,000 were reduced by half of the overage after the first $50,000. No final requests exceeded $100,000, Claycomb told city council members.
Sunflower Theatre initially requested $749,520, and was approved to apply for $500,000.
A contingency fund that would pay for overages is budgeted for $88,050. Grant administration is budgeted for $12,000, and $10,000 has been earmarked for construction permits and inspections.
The state expects to announce awarded requests next month.
Hillsboro applied for $3.5 million for a new fire station, its second attempt.
Becky Makovec, Marion’s interim city clerk, said she was not aware of any applications from Marion.