Home Buyers in Clay, Marshall Counties Benefit from Home Ownership Programs

Programs Now Completed in all NCRPC Service Area Counties

Financial incentives in the form of down payment and closing cost assistance were available to eligible home buyers in Clay and Marshall Counties from May to December 2024.



Empty Homes, Full Potential: Rethinking Vacant Housing

By Keegan Bailey, NCRPC Housing Director

Rural and urban communities have one commonality within their housing stock: vacant properties.

There are many different reasons why structures can be vacant. Vacancies can occur due to foreclosures,



NCRPC Establishes Endowment Fund

Fund to Focus on Science Education, Arts

The NCRPC is excited to announce the establishment of a new endowment fund dedicated to supporting science education and the arts in the area.

The initial contribution to this fund was donated by North Central Kansas Community Network Co.,



Start-Up Business Provides Irrigation Sales, Service to Region

NCRPC Business Finance Program Assists Clifton, Kansas, Business

With many years of experience in related industries, co-owners Curtis LeClair and Eddie Chaput found that starting a new irrigation system business was a logical next step.



NCRPC Announces Rural Voices Youth Contest Winners

Congratulations to the 2025 Rural Voices Youth Contest scholarship winners!

  • Alliana Thomasson, Ellsworth Junior/Senior High School – View the Entry
  • Nicholas Niewald, St. John’s Catholic High School – View the Entry

Two high school seniors from North Central Kansas have been named winners of the 2024-2025 Rural Voices Youth Contest,



Leadership Transition Announced

The North Central Regional Planning Commission Executive Director, John Shea, recently stepped down at the end of March to accept a new position in California. He served as the director for the past three years.

The organization remains dedicated to its mission and committed to providing services to its clients and members throughout the transition.



Business Grant Funds Available for a Limited Time in Three Counties

Community Development Block Grant-COVID Resiliency Projects Ending Soon in Cloud, Lincoln, and Mitchell Counties

Limited grant funding remains to assist for-profit businesses in Cloud, Lincoln, and Mitchell Counties that were in operation as of March 1,



Limited Funding Available for Development of an Engineering Study (PER)

As part of the NCRPC’s Thriving Communities designation by the Department of Transportation, we have a small allocation of funding to assist communities in funding a preliminary engineering report (PER) for a transportation, water or sewer project. PER preparation for transportation projects will be highest priority. 



Kansas Housing Cooperative Loan Program

The NCRPC is pleased to be partnering with the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the Innovation Center to provide forgivable loans to developers, builders, and/or homeowners to address increasing housing costs and appraisal gaps that present a barrier to homeownership and affordable rental housing. 



Two Honored with Lifetime Public Service Awards at NCRPC Fall Event

An evening of networking, dining, and a keynote address culminated in the presentation of the 2024 NCRPC Lifetime Public Service Awards to Darla Bebber of Miltonvale, Kansas, and Don Landoll of Marysville, Kansas. The event took place on October 24 in Salina,



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