photo by: Elvyn Jones

Property owner GW Weld is hoping a state grant will help him restore the storefront at 714 Main Street in Eudora, pictured here Sunday, April 26, 2020.

The city of Eudora was one of three cities in Kansas to receive $250,000 in federal funding geared toward helping smaller, more rural communities with economic development projects, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday.

Eudora joined Clay Center and Lincoln in being selected as funding recipients. As part of the Community Development Block Grant program, each city also provides matching funds for their respective projects — and Eudora will contribute $87,400, Kelly’s office said.

“The Community Development Block Grant program is a powerful tool for improving communities, revitalizing vital infrastructure and maximizing economic opportunity, and that’s exactly what these awards will do for these communities,” Kelly said in a news release. “Especially now, assistance like this is critical, and we are pleased to be able to help address pressing needs.”

Eudora City Manager Barack Matite said the funding would be used to renovate an older building in downtown Eudora, located at 714 Main St. The privately-owned building has been the site of a renovation project aimed at converting it into office and apartment space.

“This is one of the main buildings that needs a lot of work in our downtown,” Matite said in an email. “This grant will assist the building owner, GW Weld, as he works to complete the rehabilitation project that includes exterior repairs, window and door replacement, roof replacement, and some electrical and plumbing upgrades.”

To be awarded CDBG funds, projects must meet at least one of three objectives:

• The grant will benefit low and moderate-income persons

• The grant will prevent or eliminate slums and blight

• The grant will resolve an urgent need where local resources are not available to do so

In a July 27 letter to Eudora Mayor Tim Reazin, Kelly praised the city for the work in developing the project.

“You are to be congratulated for developing a fine project that will not only benefit your community, but also produce a positive economic benefit for the entire state,” she said.