Hunter Community Center

City of Hunter Receives KAN STEP Grant for New Community Center

The Kansas Department of Commerce has awarded the City of Hunter a $296,551 Kansas Small Town Environmental Program (KAN STEP) grant through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to construct a new Community Center. Hunter will match the funding with $248,530 in volunteer labor. The total retail cost is estimated to at $545,081. Hunter is located in southwestern Mitchell County in north-central Kansas.

The 6,365 square-foot facility will be located in the center of town north of the elevator and south of the cafe. The dimensions for the community center are 72.75 feet x 87.5 feet. The community center will include a library and library office, dining area with a full kitchen, reception hall with a kitchenette and an office, restrooms, storage and utility room.

The project representative at Hunter is Steve Schneider. Grant Administration will be provided by Doug McKinney, North Central Planning Commission, Beloit, KS. Don Marrs, DMA Architects, Salina, is the architect for the project. Kansas Rural Water Association will provide inspection services and technical assistance.

KAN STEP is a self-help program that enables small communities to make major infrastructure improvements. Local residents volunteer labor or services - termed "sweat equity" - while the Department of Commerce provides funding for technical services and materials. The result is that small communities have an opportunity to invest in projects they otherwise could not afford.

Funding for KAN STEP initiatives is provided through the federal CDBG program, which provides federal funds to local governments for the development of viable communities by addressing their housing, public facilities, and economic development needs.