Winfield Chamber awarded $51K state grant for downtown building renovation

The Winfield Chamber of Commerce has been awarded $51,000 from the state of Kansas.

According to a news release from Gov. Laura Kelly’s office Wednesday, the Winfield Chamber of Commerce was one of 21 local entities awarded in the latest round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants.

The governor’s office says the HEAL program was created to help rural communities revitalize downtown buildings and create safer downtowns with more job opportunities. A total of 21 projects from across the state will receive almost $1.4 million, along with more than $3.4 million in private local matching funds.

“We are thrilled to have received a HEAL grant to assist Frontier Investment Group in their efforts to preserve and enhance their downtown building,” Winfield Chamber CEO Sarah Werner said Friday. “Frontier Investment Group was ready to match the investment in our downtown and to take the steps necessary to see this project to fruition, so applying on behalf of their project made perfect sense.”

Werner said the funds will be used to renovate the upstairs of 106 and 108 E. 9th Avenue.

“Every dollar that is put into the preservation of Winfield’s downtown is an investment in the future of our community,” Werner said.

Frontier Investment Group thanked the Winfield Chamber in a statement Friday.

“Advancing the economic vibrancy and visual appeal of Winfield’s downtown corridor is at the center of Frontier Investment Group’s mission,” the statement said. “We would like to extend our gratitude to the HEAL program and its affiliates for recognizing the impact that projects such as this create, and for agreeing to supplement our ongoing investment into the prosperity of our community.

“We would also like to thank the Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce for its advocacy and support in these efforts and being a willing conduit to direct state dollars toward its success.”

Werner said this was the fourth round of HEAL grant funding made available through the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The Marquee Theater in Winfield was a recipient of the first round of HEAL grants made available in 2021. 2023 was the first year Winfield was eligible to reapply for a HEAL grant.

“Vibrant, safe downtowns spur economic growth by attracting businesses and jobs and establishing community pride,” Gov. Kelly said. “Investments like this bring life back into these communities and are instrumental to their long-term success.”

Projects being funded in this round of awards include upper-story housing, child care facilities, retail businesses, and restaurants, the governor’s office said.

“Funding for the HEAL program exists because of bipartisan support from Governor Kelly and the Kansas Legislature to provide annual allocations,” her office said. “The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity, Community Development Division, and Kansas Main Street collaborate on HEAL to revitalize underutilized and dilapidated downtown structures where the cost to rehabilitate exceeds the limit that conventional financing can cover.

“Downtown landmarks that get new life breathed into them through HEAL are transformed into spaces that serve multiple purposes. Projects are to be completed within two years.”

A total of 51 applications were received during the latest HEAL grant round. A new round is expected to open this summer.