Last month, Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce Director, Ryland Miller, told KOFO they were hoping to secure a couple of huge grants. One of those grants came through. Kansas Treasurer, Steven Johnson, announced $1.5 million had been awarded in the “Home In the Heartland” grant program. The Ottawa Chamber of Commerce was awarded $145,600.
The Kansas Legislature established the program to help strengthen local economies in recruiting new residents. The funds may be used for relocation incentives, marketing campaigns, programming and administration. Each grant has clear goals for the number of new households to be relocated, with eligibility requirements such as income thresholds and out-of-state residency. To ensure accountability, half of the award is provided upfront, and when communities reach 50% of their relocation targets, they will be provided the other half of the funds.
