Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) Program

Application Deadline: December 20, 2021

The Department of Commerce is offering matching grants for the revitalization of underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated downtown buildings through the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) program. The grants are intended to bring buildings back into productive use as spaces for new or expanding businesses, childcare, housing, arts and culture, civic engagement, or entrepreneurship.

Eligibility

Building owners of underutilized, vacant or dilapidated downtown buildings in coordination with a local nominating organization are eligible to apply.

The Department of Commerce is offering matching grants for the revitalization of underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated downtown buildings through the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) program. The grants are intended to bring buildings back into productive use as spaces for new or expanding businesses, childcare, housing, arts and culture, civic engagement, or entrepreneurship.

• Properties must be located in cities with a population fewer than 50,000.
• Properties must be located in the downtown business district or corridor and hold architectural significance for the district.
• Properties must show potential for reuse and revitalization as economic drivers in the community.
• Projects submitted with supporting engineer and/or architect report(s) that verify an urgent need and opportunity for revitalization will be considered in the Emergency HEAL round between November 8 – 19. A decision on Emergency HEAL awards will be made by November 23. Construction must commence by February 1st, 2022 for Emergency HEAL projects.
• Pro-forma and business plan for building use is required to be submitted with the application. However, if applying for Emergency HEAL, the Secretary of Commerce has discretion to extend the deadline for this requirement.

• 1:1 match minimum must be secured no later than September 30, 2022, after receiving a notification of intention of award by the Kansas Department of Commerce. If the match is not secured by September 30th, 2022, the HEAL award will be forfeited unless an extension is granted by the Secretary of Commerce.
• The awarded project can include funding from any state or federal source, as long as there is no duplication of benefit. Examples include: Community Development Block Grant, Community Service Tax Credit Program, USDA Rural Development, State Historic Preservation Office programs, or Network Kansas programs.
• Project must incorporate Main Street Design Standards and follow local ordinances and code for rehab/ construction/ facade improvements. 
• Award recipients are required to sign a contract agreeing to the conditions of the program.
• Projects must be initiated and begin construction no later December 31, 2022. Projects must be complete within one year of the start of construction. 

Benefits

Eligible expenses include:

• professional services (architect and engineering fees)
• exterior building surfaces
• masonry
• insulation
• foundations
• roofs and guttering
• fire escapes
• windows
• doors
• chimneys
• walls
• ceilings
• floors
• stairs
• escalators and elevators
• lighting and fixtures
• electrical wiring
• data and communication
wiring (not including equipment)
• HVAC systems and components
• plumbing systems
• fire suppression sprinkler
systems.

This list is not exhaustive. Project expenses not listed here are at the discretion of the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce for eligibility under the grant.

Up to $20 per square foot of the total building space, not to exceed $75,000 per project.

Official Website: Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) Program