TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that $100 million is going toward 35 infrastructure investment projects associated with economic development across the state. This funding is made available through the Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) grant program.
Great Bend Economic Development Inc. President Sara Hayden said GBED had applied for two of them in early March. She was seeking one for housing and one for master planning at the industrial park, both sizeable projects.
However, neither of those made the cut, according to list released by the Kansas Department of Commerce, which oversees the program.
Listed as an awardee under Barton County was SOFTwarfare LLC., receiving $3 million for a “Trusted Cyber Security Identity Cloud for Kansas Manufacturers” seeking federal government contracts.
The company, based in Prairie Village, develops cyber security software, said founder and chief executive officer Wyatt Cobb who has local family connections.
“SOFTwarfare plans to establish the first build out phase of our micro-modular edge data center in Barton County,” Cobb said. “This facility will help us provide valuable solutions to Kansas companies helping them adhere to the newest more strict government compliance requirements for cyber secure authentication and integration.”
His late father Roger Cobb and his extended family were all from the Great Bend area, he said. “So when considering sites for this project, Barton County was our first choice.“
They are looking at purchasing about 40 acres for their solar-powered, self-sustaining facility. There will be the potential for new jobs, especially as they plan to expand.
They are looking at about two years to complete the project.
“While I certainly had hoped to see these dollars granted to a local group or organization, if the awardees are able to follow through on their plans to expand and improve technology in Barton County, I’m glad that our area will get to benefit from some of these state dollars,” Hayden said.
What is a BASE grant?
“The BASE program is vital to enhancing Kansas’ economic competitiveness,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “These grants provide essential funding to our local communities, positioning them to succeed and be a place of continued economic growth.”
As approved by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee, the BASE grant program offers matching funds to address economic development opportunities to expand the state’s base of businesses and residents to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The SPARK Executive Committee allocated $100 million in COVID-19 relief funds to the BASE program.
“For our state to grow and businesses to flourish, we need a strong economic foundation in communities across Kansas,” Senate President Ty Masterson said. “I believe that building that foundation requires strong tax and economic policies. SPARK appropriated funds for these BASE grants because they offer unique opportunities to strengthen those foundations and build a prosperous future for all Kansans.”
A lot of applications
County and local governments, Economic Development Organizations, local Chambers of Commerce, and other stakeholders were eligible to apply for a BASE grant. There is a minimum 25% applicant match requirement. In addition, applicants were required to document how the project was delayed or affected negatively due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting negative economic conditions. The Department of Commerce received 446 applications totaling $1.8 billion in requested funds, demonstrating the vast need across the state.
“SPARK is prioritizing investments that will create long-term systemic impacts for Kansans,” House Speaker Ron Ryckman said. “These BASE grants will do just that by modernizing economic infrastructure in communities across our state to foster future growth.”
In addition to funds awarded, the BASE program has generated $889.6 million in matching investments by public and private stakeholders for awarded projects.
Projects selected must be completed within two years of the award date. Awardees will be provided with 50% of award allocation in 2022. The remaining 50% of funding will be provided no earlier than January 2023.
“The BASE grants provide critical support for transformational economic development projects across Kansas and will be a huge boost to local economies,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Working in partnership with local leaders enhances the long-term sustainability of the projects and ensures that these targeted dollars will fit the specific needs of each community and their plans for future growth.”
