(KAIR)--Days after ground was broken for the $11 million expansion for the new Atchison Family YMCA Cray Community Center, the development project took another step forward following Monday's Atchison City Commission meeting. 

That comes in the way of a tax break and stamp of approval by the Commisison, which granted the YMCA project up to $11 million in industrial revenue bonds for construction of the new downtown facility with a 5-0 vote.

Commissioners voted after the required public hearing on the issue with no members of the community coming forward. 

The bonds are needed after changes in the Kansas State legislature were made regarding tax exemptions for non-profits.

YMCA Greater Kansas City CFO Kelli McClure said the Atchison Y project did qualify for previous exemptions based on its potential job creation. However,

“That particular exemption has been taken away,” McClure said. “So, today there’s no project exemption for non-profits related to job creation—which was the only one we qualified for.”

McClure said the project is estimated to create 30-50 part-time jobs.

The IRBs will mainly be used to assist the Y with the cost of construction materials.

Next, City Manger Trey Cocking asked for the passing of a resolution finding the YMCA project in accordance with the Urban Renewal Deed Restrictions.

These restrictions come from 1962 and Cocking said it should be done away with as it only hinders development and businesses. That’s something they look to do in the future.

But, for now, the YMCA Project was given the okay from commission passing 5-0.