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Two Housing Nonprofits Launched

Although specific challenges and opportunities for housing may vary for communities across the region, most would agree that housing is an important issue to address.

The NCRPC has launched two new housing nonprofit organizations to help play a role in meeting the housing needs of communities in the region.

NCK Housing Opportunities, Inc. serves Cloud, Ellsworth, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Ottawa, Republic, and Saline Counties. Four Rivers Housing Opportunities, Inc. serves Clay, Dickinson, Marshall, and Washington Counties. Both were formed in May 2018 and are IRS approved 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations.

The purpose of each is the following: “To stabilize population in its designated service area in North Central Kansas through assistance with housing opportunities; to maintain existing housing stock and help prevent further deterioration caused by vacancy; and improve economic conditions that help communities thrive.” Simply put, the mission of each organization is to preserve and strengthen housing in North Central Kansas.

“We keep hearing the need for housing assistance in the region,” Carol Torkelson, NCRPC Housing Director and board treasurer of the new nonprofits said. “We want to create programs that fulfill the purpose and mission of the nonprofits.”

The NCRPC has introduced pilot home ownership programs over the past year in various locations across the region.

“The pilot home ownership programs are really our first offering to try to address some of the needs,” Debra Peters, NCRPC Home Ownership Program Manager and board secretary of the new nonprofits said. “Housing rehabilitation is the next thing we want to tackle.”

The new housing initiatives began under the business loan pool that Peters manages, but quickly evolved to the point of needing its own oversight committee. The housing advisory committee will grow as additional programming is added.

Doug McKinney, NCRPC Executive Director, is leading the new nonprofits as board president. NCRPC Executive Board Treasurer Brian Eilert also serves on the board of directors of the new nonprofits.

Currently Four Rivers Housing Opportunities, Inc. offers a Marysville Home Ownership Pilot Program and the NCK Housing Opportunities, Inc. recently expanded its NCK Home Ownership Pilot Program. For more information on either program, visit www.ncrpc.org/services/homeownership.

This article appeared in the July 2019 NCRPC Newsletter.

 


Sense of Purpose Important in Advancing Rural Kansas

Viewpoint Column by Doug McKinney, NCRPC Executive Director

NCRPC has been working with jurisdictions in the region related to a proposed unmanned aircraft system corridor of training between Fort Riley and the Smoky Hill Weapons Range. Displays such as the one above were set up in courthouses located in the corridor.

Wow, unemployment is below 4 percent nationally and less than 3 percent in north central Kansas. That is near record lows. The overall number of persons in the workforce is not at record levels, yet productivity remains solid with a reputation in this region for strong, efficient and effective work ethics.

Is it a matter of persons in the workforce having high values and a sense of life purpose? It appears that way. I hope the North Central Regional Planning Commission and its affiliates indicate a sense of solid purpose by following its core mission to advance rural Kansas in service provision.

One recent service has been supporting Fort Riley training of unmanned aircraft systems. NCRPC facilitated forums this month in four counties as part of its land use study for the UAS corridor from Wakefield to Ellsworth. Great input, feedback and general dialogue resulted.

Other facets of the organization are extra active as well with a plethora of housing assistance, community development activities and homeland security trainings. Safe journeys.

This article appeared in the July 2019 NCRPC Newsletter.

 

 


NCK-WiFi Continues to Expand Locations

A new NCK-WiFi hotspot was added this summer at the Jamestown city park/baseball fields — bringing the number of NCK-WiFi locations to 16 distributed throughout 7 cities. Plans are underway to continue expanding the network throughout North Central Kansas.

This summer NCK-WiFi is also being made available at many events including the Cloud County Fair in Concordia, Mitchell County Fair in Beloit, the NCK Free Fair in Belleville, and Belleville 150th Celebration.

NCK-WiFi is a free Internet service provided by Cunningham Telephone & Cable (CTC) and NCKCN, a NCRPC affiliate. To learn more about NCK-WiFi and the locations currently available, visit www.nck-wifi.com.

This article appeared in the July 2019 NCRPC Newsletter.


Two Communities Awarded CDBG Special Funding for Pool Projects

Two communities in the region were recently awarded funding that will help them replace their city swimming pools.

The funding comes from the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce. The latest round of CDBG grants that were awarded to 11 communities across Kansas were part of a special series of funding.

The City of Blue Rapids was awarded $763,411 to demolish the existing pool and construct a zero-entry swimming pool. The city will use $508,942 in bonds for matching funds.

The City of Clyde was awarded $1,000,000 to build a new ADA bathhouse and construct a zero-entry swimming pool. City employees will demolish the existing structure with force account labor estimated at $16,620 and $682,980 in bonds will be used to complete the project.

To be eligible to apply for the CDBG special series, a city had to have a population between 500 and 25,000 and meet the 51% LMI requirements. A minimum match of at least 40% local funds was also required.

The NCRPC assisted with the project development and will provide administration for both projects.

For more information about the CDBG program, visit the website at www.kansascommerce.gov/cdbg or contact the NCRPC community development staff.

This article appeared in the July 2019 NCRPC Newsletter.


Home Ownership Program Expands to Two More Counties

A program that seeks to make home ownership more affordable for eligible buyers purchasing a home in Ellsworth and Lincoln counties launched in June.

The two-county pilot project of the NCK Home Ownership Program assists home buyers by reducing the barriers of down payments and closing costs. The program offers a combination of a down payment assistance loan of $10,000 and closing cost grant of $2,000 when purchasing a home of $50,000 or greater in Ellsworth or Lincoln County. Funds are limited and available on a first come, first serve basis.

An award from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation of Logan, Kansas, is being used to assist in the creation of the loan and grant pool. NCRPC is providing matching funds. Program administration is led by Debra Peters, Program Manager, and Keegan Bailey, Program Coordinator.

“This initiative would not have been possible without assistance from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Ellsworth and Lincoln County banks, Smoky Hill Development Corporation Executive Director Stacie Schmidt, and Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Kelly Larson,” Peters said.

According to Peters, the primary objectives of the pilot program are to reduce the number of homes on the market by making home ownership more affordable, be a catalyst for first time home buyers, benefit employers in recruiting and retaining employees, potentially reduce time/expense commuting to work, and provide an opportunity for alumni to return to North Central Kansas and enjoy the convenience of living closer to friends and family.

A similar program was offered in Cloud and Mitchell counties in 2018-2019. Ultimately the goal is to expand the NCK Home Ownership Program to other counties in the NCRPC service area. Another pilot home ownership program is also underway in Marysville. For more information about the program, contact NCRPC or visit www.ncrpc.org/services/homeownership.

This article appeared in the July 2019 NCRPC Newsletter.


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