Application for a $350,000 Community Development Block Grant to build a community center in Humboldt was filed with the Kansas Department of Commerce just before the deadline Tuesday, buoyed by promise of Allen County commissioners to provide $50,000 in cash to meet most of a local match of 15 percent.
Humboldt has responsibility for the remaining $2,500.
The county’s role became more cash-intensive Tuesday morning when commissioners were told a state pre-application review said a definite dollar amount was required from the county, not “an amount, including in-kind contributions, of $52,500.” The state review also tagged site preparation at $2,500.
If the grant materializes, the county’s cash share will come from its senior services fund, which contains about $200,000 and has no significant encumbrances.
The new community center also would be the public meeting place for seniors in Humboldt and would replace one in adjoining downtown buildings owned by the county and begging for repairs and upgrades. The county, by virtue of its financial contribution, would have a role in management of the facility.
The plan today is to build the center at the north edge of Humboldt, near where 12 to 16 units of senior housing may be built, and within a stone’s throw of Arrowood Lane Residential Care Facility and near the Humboldt Golf Course.
If the senior housing project fails to attract tax-credit funding, a prerequisite that won’t be decided until later this year, Humboldt City Administrator Larry Tucker told commissioners last week the center would be relocated nearer the center of town.
THE ODOR of freshly grilled hamburgers will entice anyone within smelling distance of the Allen County Courthouse lawn June 25 when the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce holds its annual business appreciation luncheon, a by-invitation event for Chamber members and their guests.
Iola has declared June Business Appreciation Month.
Commissioners also approved location again this Christmas holiday season of Santa’s House on the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn.
Jana Taylor, Chamber director, said Santa would visit with kids at the house on Dec. 4 and from 5 to 7 o’clock on Thursday evenings, Dec. 9, 16 and 23. She said other Christmas events would be the downtown lighting ceremony, candy cane hunt and Jingle Bell Jog.
“We’re also working to bring back the Christmas Parade of Lights,” Taylor said.
TIM CUNNINGHAM, Tri-Valley Developmental Services director, asked commissioners to include support of $60,000 for Tri-Valley in their 2011 budget.
“We’re asking for $2,000 more than a year ago,” Cunningham said, noting that Tri-Valley had expanded its presence in Iola with 21 clients meeting daily at its new quarters, 10 W. Jackson Ave.
He also pointed out that Tri-Valley had cut its budget to $5.36 million to absorb a $171,000 cut in Medicaid funding. About 85 percent of its funding comes from that source.
Allen County’s proposed financial participation is in line with the number of clients served in the county, Cunningham added. Neosho County has the most clients and highest funding participation, Bourbon County is second, Allen County third and Woodson County fourth.
