(KNZA News)--Sixty-one recipients--including several locally--will receive nearly $2.7 million to invest in rural communities across Kansas.

Kansas Lt. Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland last week announced the award recipients for the new Strategic Economic Expansion and Development grant program.

Awardees are located in communities with a population of 5,000 or less. Projects must be focused on economic development and revitalization efforts through one of four quality-of-life categories. Those categories include childcare and senior programming; community vibrancy; food retail; and libraries.

Locally, Doniphan County Economic Development was awarded a more than $49,000 grant. The funding will be given to Doniphan County Library District No. 1 for needed renovations and upgrades at the Elwood Branch, which currently houses the Elwood Leisure Hour Senior Center. In addition, funds will be given to Doniphan Darlings, a nonprofit daycare center in Highland, for the purchase of materials and required shade structure.

The Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce was awarded a more than $49,000 grant for community vibrancy, food retail and library projects.

The Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development was are awarded a $25,000 grant for childcare, community vibrancy and library projects.

Friends of Vermillion, Inc. in Marshall County was awarded a nearly $38,000 grant for a community vibrancy project.

The award recipients are required to provide a minimum 10-percent match as well as complete the projects within 12 months.