SPARK Program Information
On December 21, 2022 the State Finance Council approved a total of $374 million in discretionary American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) COVID-19 relief dollars allocated to 14 programs for broadband infrastructure and adoption, the modernization of government services, economic development, and health and education recommended by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee.
The portfolio of approved funding includes competitive grant programs in the four SPARK Advisory Panel areas: Connectivity, Efficiency and Modernization, Health and Education, and Economic Revitalization.
An overview of approved programs is available here. More information on each program and the status of its application process is below.
Entities that submitted investment Ideas to the SPARK process can submit their projects for funding consideration through these programs. Those who submitted investment ideas will need to apply directly with the administering agency if seeking funding.
Entities that previously submitted an idea submission to the SPARK process will be notified via email of funding opportunities relevant to their proposal once that information is available. Future program updates will also be shared through the Office of Recovery’s newsletter (all entities that submitted an investment idea have been added to the newsletter listserv).
Program Name | Brief Description | Amount | Contact Info | Application Timeline |
Lasting Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (LINC) | Competitive grants to enable broadband infrastructure investments in high needs areas.
| $30,000,000 | Application will open soon | |
Digital Equity Grant Program | Competitive grants to increase broadband adoption and enablement by incentivizing participation in connectivity initiatives.
| $5,000,000 | Application will open September 2023 | |
State Efficiency and Modernization | Improve the accessibility and efficiency of delivery of State services to Kansans through investments in State facilities, IT infrastructure, continuity of operations, and safety and security | $95,000,000 | Application process open to State entities/agencies completed
Agreements are currently being executed between the Kansas Department of Administration and agencies that received awards | |
Local Safety and Security Equipment | Enable safe and secure crisis response for Kansans through investments in local public safety infrastructure | $5,000,000 | Grant application open; applications due by June 30, 2023: https://grants.ks.gov/grant-programs/local-safety-and-security-equipment-grant-program-(lsse) | |
Health Facilities and Program Expansion | Expand statewide health and behavioral health services to close service gaps in the continuum of care and expand workforce | $66,000,000 | Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) – (ks.gov) | Application closed |
Child Care Capacity Accelerator | Increase childcare capacity | $20,000,000 | Child Care Capacity Accelerator: Stronger Kansas Communities – All in for Kansas Kids
| Grant application open: https://allinforkansaskids.org/accelerator/ Applications due May 15, 2023 |
Community Resource Capacity Accelerator | Enhance community resources across Kansas | $18,000,000 | Application closed Awards to be announced soon | |
Early Childhood Data Integration and System Enhancements | State early childhood data and IT system modernization | $5,000,000 | Kansas Department for Health and Environment (kdhe.ks.gov) | Program currently in design phase |
Building a Stronger Economy 2.0 | Fund Additional economic development infrastructure projects submitted to BASE | $50,000,000 | Application closed; awards announced: | |
SPRINT (Tourism) | Investments in tourism projects to spur economic activity | $30,000,000 | State Park Revitalization and Investment in Notable Tourism (SPRINT) (kansascommerce.gov) | Application closed Awards to be announced soon |
ABODE (Housing) | Housing investments for high-needs populations | $10,000,000 | ARPA Building Opportunities for the Disabled & Elderly (ABODE) (kansascommerce.gov) | Application closed; awards announced: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/abode/
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Aviation Learning Opportunities & Funded Training (ALOFT) | Workforce development incentives for aviation and aerospace manufacturers, supply chain providers, and local airports | $20,000,000 | Application closed Awards to be announced soon | |
DRAW: Delivering Residents and Workforce | Provide incentives to attract and retain critical talent in high demand industries | $10,000,000 | Application closed Awards to be announced soon | |
Small Town Water and Sewer Infrastructure Assistance Program | Infrastructure improvements for small town municipal water and wastewater utilities | $10,000,000 |
| Grant application open; application due by June 30, 2023: |
