Topeka ? Wanted: two small towns in Kansas. Growth opportunities possible.

That’s essentially the ad being placed by state officials who are trying to find ways to help declining areas of rural Kansas.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ Rural Life Task Force announced Tuesday it was seeking two communities to be part of a pilot project on economic growth.

“Many Kansas communities are facing the same challenges, whether it’s a declining population, a weak economy or access to health care,” Sebelius said. “What I want to do through the Rural Life Task Force is find two communities ready to identify how these problems can be solved.”

Inman resident Marci Penner, co-chairwoman of the task force that was formed in 2003, said the communities that end up being chosen would receive help from the task force “through mentoring, helping to identify and remove barriers to success and, in some cases, providing hands-on technical assistance or training.”

There will be no financial assistance available.

The two-year pilot project will serve as a model to be used in other communities trying to secure more sustainable futures, state officials said.

In fact, the participants in the project don’t necessarily have to be towns. They could be a group of towns, or niche businesses. If they are towns, each must have fewer than 2,000 people. Lecompton, with about 600 residents, could be a candidate as well as Wellsville with 1,600.

Communities have until July 15 to apply for the project. Selections are expected to be announced Nov. 15.