North Central Regional Planning Commission, Author at NCRPC

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Project Spotlight: Historic Salina Depot Restored

NCRPC administered a CDBG Commercial Rehabilitation project that helped restore a former depot located at 356 N. Santa Fe in Salina.

A historic Missouri Pacific Depot in downtown Salina has been restored. The unique limestone building, which had been vacant for several years, now functions as professional office space.

The former depot was originally constructed in 1887 and had not had a significant upgrade in over 50 years. Salina Office Station, LLC purchased the building in 2017 with the intent of updating it for office space.

The restoration was the result of many partners working together. The City of Salina received a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Kansas Department of Commerce for the Downtown Commercial Rehabilitation Project. The building’s owners, Salina Office Station, LLC, provided more than $110,000 in matching funds to make needed repairs to the building. NCRPC staff provided project planning assistance and administration.

“This project was able to bring an empty historic building in the downtown area back to life,” NCRPC Community Development Specialist Nichole McDaniel said. “It is an example of a successful project with multiple partners.”

The purpose of the CDBG Commercial Rehabilitation Program is to help cities improve the quality of their downtown commercial districts by assisting private property owners in the rehabilitation of blighted buildings.

“As owners of the former Salina MOPAC freight depot, we were fortunate to qualify for participation in the CDBG Commercial Rehabilitation program as administered by the NCRPC,” Ken Bieberly, one of three owners of Salina Office Station, LLC, said. “The grant provided funds for the remodeling that made the project economically feasible and historically correct.”

The project included upgrading and preserving the historic exterior and meeting ADA interior compliance requirements. The newly renovated former depot, now named Salina Office Station, includes four professional office rental spaces.

Other key partners involved with the project include general contractor Ry-Co Inc. and project architect Warren Ediger.

There is an open window for communities to submit applications for the CDBG Downtown Commercial Rehabilitation program each year. For more information, visit www.kansascommerce.gov/cdbg or contact the NCRPC office to visit with a staff member about your project needs.

There are many great things happening in North Central Kansas. The Project Spotlight series features projects around the region to share ways communities have solved challenges. To view more Project Spotlights, visit https://www.ncrpc.org/tag/project-spotlight/.

This article appeared in the January 2020 NCRPC Newsletter.

Youth Entrepreneurship Contests Provide Participants with Real-World Experience

This article appeared in the November 2019 NCRPC Newsletter.

Empowering students to develop an idea and solve a problem through entrepreneurship might help spark the entrepreneurial pipeline in communities. That possibility is reason enough for several to host local contests for students.

Clay County will host its fifth youth entrepreneurship contest in December. According to Clay County Economic Development Group Executive Director Lori Huber, the process is valuable.

“The contest gives students an opportunity to think about work differently,” Huber said. “Even if they do not go on to have their own business, this can make them a better employee because they have an understanding of how a business works.”

Image of 2019 Republic County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Winners

2019 Republic County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Winners. Photo courtesy of Republic County Economic Development.

Republic County will host its fourth local youth entrepreneurship competition in March. According to Republic County Economic Development Executive Director Luke Mahin, hosting the event each year has many benefits.

“For most of the students, this is the first time in their lives they are given permission to dream of a future where they are working and living in Republic County. This is their opportunity to solve a problem through entrepreneurship with a product or service, sometimes both,” Mahin said. “At a minimum, it helps them become better citizens learning the value of our local economy, budgeting, communication, and leadership.”

Lincoln County will also host a local competition in March — the third that Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Kelly Larson has organized.

“The more students who are exposed to entrepreneurship now improves our chances they will become business owners in the future,” Larson said.

These local events encourage students to prepare an executive summary/business plan, a 4-minute presentation, and a trade show booth.

Because Clay, Lincoln and Republic counties are all designated NetWork Kansas E-Communities, their local events are part of the NetWork Kansas Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) Series. During the 2018-2019 academic year, 865 students competed in 40 local competitions.

The top team or alternate from each YEC Series local competition qualifies to compete at the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge at Kansas State University. Students can also apply to earn a wildcard spot. In April 2019, four student entrepreneurs/teams from North Central Kansas received awards at the state competition.

Planning a successful local-level youth competition takes time.

“My advice is to start small and know that it can take time to grow,” Huber said. “Building connections with schools and partnerships with teachers is important.”

Event organizers agree that the ideas and businesses showcased at the local competitions are impressive.

“I’ve been shocked to see in our third year how many existing businesses are competing,” Mahin said. “Two of our three state KEC qualifiers were already making real sales in the county. Bomb Creations was selling products at the Depot Market and Otter Creek Farms purchased a downtown building in Republic and is looking to remove a blighted home near her garden for expansion. These businesses are already making a real-world impact with their prize money.”

Communities that are not part of the E-Community partnership can participate in the YEC Series, but are required to pay a $1,500 sanction application fee. The sanction application deadline for the 2019-2020 season has passed, but planning for the future could begin anytime. To help offset the cost, communities in the region may apply for up to $750 in grant assistance from the NCK Rural Business Development Initiative that NCRPC manages. To learn more about the YEC series, visit https://www.networkkansas.com/ecommunities/youth/youth-entrepreneurship-challenge.

2019 Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge Winners from the Region

Existing Business Division:
Honorable mention — Julia Rieger, Clay Center Community Middle School, Clay Center, for jBev Studio & Design

Agriculture Division:
Honorable mention — Cassandra Aleshire and Elizabeth Huskey, Lincoln High School, Lincoln, for Aleshire Farms

Honorable mention — Jena Kunc and Dylan White, Republic County High School, Belleville, for Otter Creek Farms

Open Division:
Grand prize — Cassie Stickler, Pike Valley High School, Scandia, for The Bomb Lip Balm

Input Encouraged for Census, Kansas Framework for Growth

Viewpoint Column by Doug McKinney, NCRPC Executive Director

The U.S. Census provides vital information about our nation and about the people who live, work and utilize the resources herein.

The 2020 Census will count all residents once and in their accurate locales. It is used to determine the seats Kansas can have in the U.S. House of Representatives, how our state legislative districts are drawn and the important appropriation of Federal funding.

Image courtesy of U.S. Census Bureau

There are several ways to be counted. For the first time, in 2020 the U.S. Census Bureau will accept responses online. Responding by mail, by telephone, and by meeting with a local Census representative will also be options. A postcard is to be provided to every household. From there the choice to securely complete the process is easy. Also for the first time, the Census will be available in 13 languages spoken in Kansas and it will be in a large print and braille form.

I am willing to talk with any local official about the process and how much the Census matters to their towns. More information, including personalized profiles for cities to help tell the story of how population data affects their local community, is also available at kansascounts.org.

Another important opportunity for your input is with the Kansas Governor’s office and the Kansas Department of Commerce Framework for Growth. In late October, an official forum for North Central Kansas was held in Russell with about 40 persons engaged in providing solid and unique approaches to a comprehensive growth strategy. Let’s face it. Kansas is behind in attracting new residents, in promoting the state and in workforce development. Not since 1986 has there been a solid strategy for development in the Sunflower State. Your input is encouraged at kansasgrowth.com.

This article appeared in the November 2019 NCRPC Newsletter.

New Business Signage Pilot Program Recently Launched in Dickinson County

This article appeared in the November 2019 NCRPC Newsletter.

A new program that is designed to assist businesses with improving or replacing signs on commercial buildings is now available in Dickinson County.

The pilot project of the Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation Business Signage Program is designed to provide an affordable funding/financing option for signage on commercial buildings to improve the functionality, structural integrity and aesthetics of signs in commercial areas. The program offers a maximum loan of $2,000 at 0% interest.

NCRPC is partnering with Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation to provide the program. The NCRPC Business Finance Program is providing funding for the program.

A new pilot program in Dickinson County seeks to offer an affordable funding option for signage on commercial buildings. The picture above is an example of the preferred, but not required, “blade” type signage.

“We are pleased to partner with Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation to offer this pilot program,” NCRPC Business Finance Director Debra Peters said.

According to Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Chuck Scott, business signage is an important part of a business’s marketing strategy.

“Signage is often one of the first impressions people have of a business,” Scott said. “By assisting businesses with this key part of their marketing strategy, the hope is businesses will be more visible and will be able to expand their customer base and grow. We look forward to talking with our businesses about how this new program might assist their business.”

The new “Abilene Forward” initiative helped inspire the program’s start. Abilene Forward is a grassroots effort intended to bring Abilene downtown business and commercial property owners together for ongoing needs such as signage, historical district promotion and beautification.

Applications for the business signage program are now being accepted on a first come, first served basis. The program will be evaluated in October 2020 to review demand and impact to determine if it will be renewed.

Program Helps Reduce Energy Costs

The NCRPC administers the Weatherization Assistance Program for 41 Kansas counties. Since 1979, more than 14,500 homes have received assistance through NCRPC.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, households that receive weatherization services experience average annual energy cost savings of $283. A Trego County resident knows firsthand the financial impact of the Weatherization Assistance Program.

When the Trego County client applied for weatherization assistance, her home had many broken windows, an old HVAC system, and high utility costs. She also felt the financial burden of needing to have items in her home repaired and upgraded.

The client turned to NCRPC for assistance. The organization is one of four contracted weatherization service providers in Kansas. The Weatherization Assistance Program helps reduce energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, while ensuring their health and safety.

After the client’s application was approved and the home inspected, work could begin. Measures that were installed in the Trego County home include a new 92% forced air furnace with ductwork, new windows, high/low combustion vents, more efficient lighting, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, venting an exhaust fan to the exterior, as well as various air sealing measures. According to the client, there has been great improvement in her utility usage as well as the comfort and condition of her home since weatherization was completed. It has also allowed her to turn her focus toward other items of her home that need attention.

The NCRPC administers the Weatherization Assistance Program for 41 Kansas counties. Since 1979, more than 14,500 homes have received assistance through NCRPC.

Eligibility for the program is based solely on income. Funding for this program is provided by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP).

October marks Energy Action Month and October 30 is recognized as Weatherization Day.

To learn more about the program or how to apply, visit www.ncrpc.org/services/housing/weatherization/.

This article appeared in the September 2019 NCRPC Newsletter.

Economic Development Conference Focuses on Resilience

Viewpoint Column by Doug McKinney, NCRPC Executive Director

You know you are in downtown Denver when each evening fire trucks roll by every hour and hints of smoke are in the air at the pedestrian level. I was in Denver recently for a regional director’s conference facilitated by the Economic Development Administration. Forums occurred whereby regions were able to share what services they provide and how development occurs for new or different offerings. The conference is an opportunity to learn from peers.

Some of the most recent NCRPC developments I shared at the conference included nuisance reduction/abatement, housing down payment assistance, food system assessment and unmanned aircraft system research. Notably, NCKCN remains the first and only not-for-profit Internet service provider started and still operated by a regional development organization.

Credit was given to staff, board and partner involvement for all that the NCRPC and its affiliates offer. In addition to the more recent developments, the core services remain solid facets of this regional development organization that was begun in 1972 by active leaders with vision for future collaborations.

Economic resilience was a theme of the conference, especially in light of disaster recovery. Being prepared for disaster — be it cyber, fire or water related — remains important. The ability to recover and build back better when challenges arise is critical for our communities to thrive.

Finally, the Census 2020 is near and vitally important to places and people in Kansas. Communities that prepare and support the count are likely to see beneficial results. Kansas Health Foundation is supporting this with a promotional campaign. The League of Kansas Municipalities has received a grant award from KHF through which it will provide assistance to cities in Kansas to aid in census accuracy. To learn more, visit the website at kansashealth.org/2019/03/12/2020census/.

As always, contact NCRPC for technical assistance with this or other needs. Safe journeys.

This article appeared in the September 2019 NCRPC Newsletter.

Project Spotlight: Mankato Housing

Renovation of four loft apartments in downtown Mankato was included in one of the city’s recent housing projects.

Long-time City of Mankato Mayor Don Koester credits a strategic planning meeting 16 years ago with helping the community chart a course to address its housing needs.

“We asked the community what needed to be done,” Koester said. “As a council, we took the ideas and tried to prioritize the biggest needs.”

That meeting was in his first year as mayor and he continues to serve in that role. Housing was among the list of priorities identified.

The community received a boost when it was awarded funds in 2005 through the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce. The funding was part of a Comprehensive Development project that included construction of a new multi-purpose community building, park and street improvements, and housing demolition and rehabilitation. The Comprehensive Development Program is no longer offered.

“The housing in that first project was targeted right around the community center,” Koester said. “It made a small area so you could see a big impact. It was very successful.”

The city has since received funding for two additional housing rehabilitation projects through the CDBG Program. In total, the projects have helped rehabilitate 28 homes and demolish 18 dilapidated units.

“Our work is not complete with housing, but it is certainly going in the right direction,” Koester said. “If you can rehabilitate a house and stop it from going downhill, you keep it a viable housing unit for your community. You can stop that cycle of decline.”

The city is now in the process of deciding next steps to address some infrastructure needs.

“Infrastructure goes together with housing,” Koester said. “We are trying to look at things at a big scale for more years knowing that we will enhance what is there (housing) by what we do next.”

NCRPC Housing Director Carol Torkelson has administered all three housing projects in Mankato and credits the community for putting in the work to address housing.

“The City of Mankato committed to saving the existing housing stock and removing dilapidated structures,” Torkelson said. “It is something they could bring to their citizens at minimal cost to the city.”

This article appeared in the September 2019 NCRPC Newsletter.

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