By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
In July 2021, the Great Bend City Council voted to shift $1 million of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds into a downtown loft project. The federal money, given to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, assisted the loft grants to reimburse owners of multi-story buildings for the cost of renovations, including the addition of fire sprinklers.
The city divided the $1
million allotment into two tranches of $500,000. Since the launch of the
program two years ago, Great Bend Economic Development Director Sara Arnberger
said two checks have been issued to property owners totaling roughly $350,000.
"Of the $500,000 that we have, we've spent a little over $300,000," said Arnberger. "People need to hurry. If you want to do those loft expansions or renovations, we'd love to talk to you."
The loft grants provide a forgivable loan with 0% interest for businesses to renovate unused upper levels of downtown buildings. Property owners have until the end of 2024 to complete the renovations.
Arnberger said there are three more loft grant projects in the works that have yet to be announced.
In March 2022, B&H Development was awarded an $85,250 loft project grant to
create an events space on the second floor of the old Masonic Lodge at 2015
Lakin Avenue.
RELATED STORY: Owners of downtown Great Bend building have plans for 'events space'
This past June, MyTown LP was given $265,650 to renovate the upper floors of
the old Zarah Hotel into 24 apartments.
RELATED STORY: Downtown Great Bend apartment project receives $265K loft grant
For more information on the loft grant project, visit gbedinc.com.