During an update Monday to the Riley County Commission Gary Stith, Flint Hills Regional Council Executive Director, announced that they have closed out the HUD Sustainable Communities Grant that has been one of the main sources of funding for the FHRC for the past few years.

The HUD Grant provided just over $2 million in funding for the FHRC and by the time it was closed out there was just $495 left.

“We left $495 on the table. We tried our best to get it all spent, and out of over $2 million, that’s not bad,” said Stith.

Stith added that before the grant was closed they did pull out funding to update their websites. New Boston is under contract completing that project.

Moving forward the FHRC is relying on a number of projects that they have been selected to participate in. Examples include updating the comprehensive plan for the City of Council Grove, writing the application for a HUD grant that would fund the Wildcat Creek Watershed Resiliency Project. The FHRC would also be contracted with to help supply part of the administration of the HUD grant if it is accepted.