Staff writer
Birch, Cedar, and Date streets in Hillsboro will get a major facelift thanks to a $400,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce, through the Community Development Block Grant program.
The governor’s office notified Hillsboro Mayor Delores Dalke of the award last week.
“Under the community facilities grant, they had 39 applications, and 16 were awarded. We received the maximum amount,” Dalke said.
“We have had a priority list for streets, but have not been in a position to do them moneywise,” Dalke said. “There comes a point when you can only do so much out of your own pocket, so this grant will be extremely helpful.”
Hillsboro must provide $434,407 in matching funds for the grant, and Dalke said that will be accomplished through funds the city already has available.
“Streets can make or break an area,” Dalke said. “That part of town is an older part of town, and it will make a tremendous difference.”
Dalke credited Hillsboro City Administrator Larry Paine for identifying the area as a priority for repairs.
“We’re very pleased,” Dalke said. “It made walking the streets last summer to survey when it was 105 degrees to get the grant done worthwhile. I did a lot of that myself.”
Dalke said the funds cannot be obligated until April 1, and the city will have one year to initiate the project.