Hartford Community Building

The Kansas Department of Commerce (Commerce) has awarded the City of Hartford $398,537 in KAN STEP funding to help construct a new community building.

The new 6,000 square foot community building will provide the opportunity for events to stay in Hartford, rather than being held in neighboring towns. The new community building will feature a kitchen, as well as large and small meeting rooms, and will accommodate activities such as family reunions, wedding receptions, community dances, senior citizen group meetings, boy/girl scouts, and 4-H meetings.

The total estimated cost of the new community center is $687,664, which includes $289,127 in volunteer labor and the KAN STEP grant of $398,537.

KAN STEP is a self-help program that enables small communities to make major infrastructure improvements. Local people volunteer labor and services, while the Kansas Department of Commerce provides funding for materials and technical services. An acronym for Kansas Small Towns Environment Program, KAN STEP gives small Kansas communities an opportunity to do projects they couldn't otherwise afford. The funding is provided through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

The project architect is Dan Hall of BG Consultants Inc. of Manhattan, KS. Grant administration will be provided by Steve Robb of BTI, Division of Grants and Special Projects at Pittsburgh State University. Jim Naylor, Pat Wiederholt and Dennis Versch are the project sparkplugs. Kansas Rural Water Association will provide inspection services and technical assistance.