Opportunity Overview
The Kansas Department of Commerce 2026 CDBG Blueprint to Build program supports construction of new community centers using Kansas Commerce’s pre-approved Small, Medium or Large designs. The current program materials identify three award levels: $2,500,000 for Small, $3,250,000 for Medium, and $4,000,000 for Large. Kansas Commerce’s current web page states that $14 million has been allocated to the program, while the April 17, 2026 program guidelines list $12.75 million in available funding and four expected awards. Atlas preserves that source-level distinction rather than reconciling the two totals. Matching funds must cover the remaining project cost after the CDBG award.
Deadline and Submission
Full applications are due October 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM Central Time through the Kansas Commerce grants portal. A community must first have an approved pre-application; only pre-approved communities may submit a full construction application.
Eligibility
Eligible direct applicants are qualifying Kansas cities and counties under the State CDBG program. Entitlement communities are excluded. Blueprint to Build projects must benefit low- and moderate-income persons, with at least 51% LMI beneficiaries, and applicants must satisfy the current CDBG readiness, public-hearing, site, match, environmental, design and procurement requirements.
Eligible Project Scope
CDBG funds support construction of one of the approved community-center designs and site-specific final design and civil engineering. The standard designs include a multipurpose room, serving-kitchen space with fixed equipment, a fitness-center room, a small telemedicine office, lobby and gathering space, restrooms, storm shelter, solar panels and durable finishes. Medium and Large designs add gym and/or pool options. The current guidelines identify workout equipment and furniture as locally funded items rather than CDBG-funded construction costs.
Current Kansas Applicant Intelligence: City of Ottawa
The City of Ottawa’s official September 23, 2026 City Commission agenda identifies a public hearing for a 2026 CDBG Blueprint to Build application for a proposed Large Gym & Pool Community Center at Forest Park. The City’s published hearing notice describes an approximately 23,950-square-foot facility with a gymnasium, indoor aquatics center with lap pool and zero-entry area, multipurpose room, serving kitchen, lobby/gathering space, locker rooms and support areas. The notice states an estimated project cost of $10,750,000 and a proposed CDBG request of $4,000,000.
The Ottawa notice states that an application is to be submitted. It does not establish that Kansas Commerce has approved Ottawa’s required pre-application. Atlas must verify that approval before treating Ottawa as eligible to submit the full application or before applicant-specific package production or ORIGINAL outreach.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 90/100. N9+ Fit: 20/100 conditional. QC Healthcare Fit: 15/100 conditional. Direct Vendor Fit: 0/100 absent a separate compliant procurement. The program is highly actionable for eligible Kansas local governments and expressly includes a telemedicine-office space in the construction design. However, the verified CDBG scope funds facility construction, while movable equipment such as workout equipment is locally funded. Atlas should not assume that N9+ hardware is a CDBG-eligible expense and ordinary initial outreach must not introduce or sell N9+. Any later healthcare-technology role would require applicant-specific confirmation of allowable funding, project need and procurement.
Official program source: Kansas Department of Commerce — Blueprint to Build.
Official Ottawa applicant evidence: City of Ottawa — September 23, 2026 City Commission agenda packet.