Drywood Township seeks funding for Garland Shelter

Drywood Township trustees hope the third time is a charm as they continue to seek funding for a storm shelter.

A public hearing was held at June 19 by the Bourbon County Commission for the application for a Community Block Development Grant to the Kansas Department of Commerce for a 1,800 square-foot storm shelter and community building in Garland, in Drywood Township.

Drywood Township Trustee Darrell Bloomfield said the land has been purchased and they are seeking funding for a third time.

"The first time we got an emphatic no," Bloomfield said.

According to Bloomfield, the second attempt nearly made it before being denied at the last minute. He added that, based on the feedback he has been hearing, he has a positive outlook that the third application will be approved.

"Hopefully we are looking at an approval and the people will have something there to be proud of when its all completed," Bloomfield said.

The shelter will include a community room which will be used to host meetings and community events. It will also feature a full kitchen, men's and women's restrooms with showers, and a safe room.

The total cost of the project is $325,910 and they are applying for $243,411 in CDBG funds. Bloomfield said the township is hoping to also get funding from FEMA as well as stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Kansas State Representatives Bob Grant and Shirley Palmer attended the public hearing to voice their support for the shelter.

Bloomfield said they keep trying to find funding for the shelter because the people of Garland need a place to go during the storm season.

"We feel like this is a necessity," Bloomfield said. "There are people in Garland that have nowhere to go."

Bloomfield said they should hear a decision on the CDBG funding in approximately 30 days.