ELLINWOOD — The City of Ellinwood will receive a $3,900 grant to assist in purchasing new computer equipment for city workers, according to Lynne Hinrichsen, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development state director for Kansas.

“The USDA’s Community Facilities program can use loans and grants to assist rural communities in providing needed infrastructure to help towns thrive,” Hinrichsen said. “USDA is dedicated to rural communities and their long-term commitments to economic prosperity; because when rural America prospers, all of America prospers.”

The new equipment will increase computer security from cyber-attacks, said City Administrator Chris Komarek. “We’ve been wanting to improve our cyber security for a while and this funding will aid in that endeavor,” Komarek said.

He added that the city’s partnership with the USDA will benefit 2,131 people. The funding was made possible with a $7,400 contribution from the city during the application process.

Ellinwood joins five other Kansas communities who received federal funding including: Winfield - Southwestern College, City of Neodesha, City of Independence, City of Burr Oak and the City of McCune.

The grant is a $17.28 million investment by the USDA to assist in community infrastructure for rural communities. 

According to a release by the USDA, the investments were made through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program and can be used to build or upgrade schools, libraries, clinics and public safety facilities.

More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.