(KAIR)--Atchison, Jackson, and Marshall counties will benefit from the several million dollars being awarded to assist with community revitalization.

A release from the office of Governor Laura Kelly says a total of 21 projects from across Kansas will receive almost $1.4 million, along with more than $3.4 million in private local matching funds.
The awards come through the Historic Asset Lifeline grant program, known as HEAL. It was created to help rural communities revitalize downtown buildings and create safer downtowns with more job opportunities.

Locally, the City of Holton, in Jackson County, is awarded $100,000; The Friends of Muscotah, based in Atchison County, receives $65,640; and two Marshall County-based projects-the Marysville Chamber and Main Street and Marshall County Partnership for Growth-are named as award recipients. The Marysville award is for $7,222 while the County Partnership for Growth receives $40,000.

Specifics of how each award will be used is not included in the release, but it's noted that "projects being funded in this round of awards include upper-story housing, child care facilities, retail businesses, and restaurants."

The Kansas Department of Commerce- Office of Rural Prosperity, Community Development Division, and Kansas Main Street collaborate on HEAL to revitalize underutilized and dilapidated downtown structures where the cost to rehabilitate exceeds the limit that conventional financing can cover. Downtown landmarks that get new life breathed into them through HEAL are transformed into spaces that serve multiple purposes. Projects are to be completed within two years.

Funding for the HEAL program exists because of bipartisan support from Governor Kelly and the Kansas Legislature to provide annual allocations. A total of 51 applications were received during the latest HEAL grant round. A new round is expected to open this summer.