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Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced the launch of the Industrial Renovation for Opportunity and New Economic Development (IRONED) pilot program, a funding opportunity designed to help rural Kansas communities revitalize underused industrial and manufacturing buildings and prepare them for new or expanding businesses.

A total of $200,000 in funding is available through IRONED for Kansas communities with a population of 50,000 or less. Grants up to $100,000 will support projects already in the planning phase that preserve and bring new economic activity to underutilized, vacant or dilapidated industrial and manufacturing facilities. The grants are intended to close financing gaps.

“There are plenty of industrial buildings throughout Kansas with the potential to support new business ventures if they can be brought back to productive use,” Toland said. “By providing targeted support for renovation costs, Commerce can help rural communities move innovative projects across the finish line and start driving local economic growth.”

The IRONED program is administered by the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity at the Department of Commerce. The application window opened March 18 and will close at 5 p.m. June 17. Awards will be announced in August.

The Office of Rural Prosperity will host virtual Office Hours from 10 to 11 a.m. April 16, May 14 and June 11. To sign up, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86931738610?pwd=Uubw03COVuEz4DpuAYhnffD9rvnq5P.1#success.

For additional information about the IRONED program, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86931738610?pwd=Uubw03COVuEz4DpuAYhnffD9rvnq5P.1#success.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses.

Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.