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

Office of Broadband Development (kansascommerce.gov)

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

Office of Broadband Development (kansascommerce.gov)

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

Kansas Governor Grants Program (KGGP) (ks.gov)

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

Kansas Department for Children and Families – Home (ks.gov)

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

BASE Grant (kansascommerce.gov)

Application closed; awards announced:


https://www.kansascommerce.gov/basegrant/

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/

 

Aviation Learning Opportunities & Funded Training (ALOFT)

Workforce development incentives for aviation and aerospace manufacturers, supply chain providers, and local airports



$20,000,000

Kansas Department of Commerce (kansascommerce.gov)

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

Kansas Department of Commerce (kansascommerce.gov)

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

Water | KDHE, KS

 

Grant application open; application due by June 30, 2023:


https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/516/Applications

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