Jun 24, 2023

New housing rehab program for Barton Co. homeowners

Posted Jun 24, 2023 12:00 PM

Great Bend Economic Development (GBED) is excited to announce the launch of its BC ReNew - Housing Rehab Program in Great Bend, Ellinwood, Hoisington, and Claflin. This program aims to provide homeowners in these areas with an opportunity to upgrade their older homes while receiving a rebate grant of up to 10% for material purchases.

Under the program, eligible homeowners who occupy their properties within the city limits may qualify for a rebate grant based on the cost of their rehabilitation project. The rebate is determined as follows:

·       8.7% of material purchases if less than 90% of the materials are locally purchased, provided the material costs exceed $10,000 per approved project.

·       10.0% of material purchases if over 90% of the materials are locally purchased, provided the material costs exceed $10,000 per approved project.

The maximum award per recipient is set at $10,000. Homeowners and contractors must demonstrate their experience in property rehabilitation or present a plan that utilizes contracted resources to carry out the rehabilitation process.

The application process involves homeowners submitting a complete application with all the required documents to the GBED office for review by the Housing Rehab Committee. The committee will then approve or reject the application and inform the homeowner accordingly. Documentation, including before and after photos, will be required for verification purposes.

The Housing Rehab Committee, in conjunction with the GBED Board, will review all program applications and make recommendations for approval. Ongoing rehab projects will also be monitored by the committee to provide guidance and support to owners and contractors. For the year 2023, a total of $35,000 has been allocated to this program.

Eligible upgrades under the BC ReNEW Housing Rehab Program include structural improvements, energy conservation measures, and modernization projects.

BC ReNEW is committed to revitalizing the community and enhancing the quality of housing in Great Bend, Ellinwood, Hoisington, and Claflin. This program presents a unique opportunity for homeowners to improve their homes while receiving financial assistance.

For more information about the BC ReNEW Housing Rehab Program, including eligibility criteria and application details, please visit www.gbedinc.com/housing or contact Sara Arnberger, GBED President, at [email protected].

About GBED (Great Bend Economic Development):
The Great Bend Economic Development, Inc. is a public/private partnership focusing on the economic development efforts in Barton County, KS. Our mission is to improve the economic quality of life for working families in our community. We do this by creating jobs, through retention, recruitment, and expansion of businesses, strengthening the workforce through recruitment, education and training, improving and increasing the number of living wage jobs, and expanding the tax base through increase capital investment. For more information about GBED visit: www.gbedinc.com, call 620-796-2407. Sara Arnberger, President of Great Bend Economic Development, Inc., can be reached via email at [email protected].