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28 | Page December 13 I ssueCommerce Announces New Round of Funding for HEAL GrantsLieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced that $1.5 million is available for a fifth round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize dilapidated and underutilized downtown buildings in small communities across the state. These grants help close the financial gaps for communities striving to make their downtown districts economically vibrant.Since Commerce launched the program in 2021, nearly $5 million has been awarded to fund 87 different community projects throughout Kansas. The HEAL grant helps communities bring revitalize downtown buildings as spaces for new or expanding businesses, housing, arts and culture, civic engagement, childcare or entrepreneurial activities.Submitted projects must show potential to be economic drivers in the community and demonstrate that the space will be occupied by the end of the project. There must be proof of 1:1 matching funds from the building owner that will be required at the time of application.The application opens November 1, 2024 and closes January 31, 2025. Awardees will be notified in April. Communities that received HEAL grants in spring 2023 or fall 2024 are not eligible to apply for this round of funding.For additional information about HEAL grants and the online application, please visit here.Federal Funding OpportunitiesDept of Interior Fire Engine Funding The U.S. Department of Interior has announced funding for a pilot program to provide local governments with populations of 50,000 or less with financial assistance to acquire slip-on tanker units to establish fleets of vehicles that can be quickly converted to be operated as fire engines.Eligible applicants are: Independent school districts; State governments; City or township governments; Special district governments and County governments. Click HERE to learn more. USDA Accepting Rural Business Development Grants U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development recently announced that the Department is accepting applications for the Rural Business Development Grant program to support business opportunities and business enterprise projects in rural communities. Organizations eligible to receive