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Senate backs new $10 million rural economic development grant program
Summary
Second Substitute SB 95 replaces several statewide programs with a locally driven grant program: $10 million total with $200,000 automatic allocations to class 3''6 counties plus a competitive pool; sponsors say $10 million ongoing redirected from USTAR closeout.
Senators approved Second Substitute Senate Bill 95, a restructured rural economic development package that eliminates several statewide programs (enterprise zones, rural fast-track grants and the BEAR grant) and creates a $10 million grant program.
Sponsor Senator Sandle told colleagues the program sets aside $5 million to allocate $200,000 automatically to each third- through sixth-class county, plus another $5 million competitive pool for larger projects. The measure redirects about $10 million in ongoing funds from USTAR/GOED closeout into the new rural grant program, and the sponsor said the fiscal note''which previously showed a positive net''will catch up to reflect the substitute.
Senator Hilliard asked about county-class transitions (whether a county moving from class 3 to class 2 would lose eligibility); the sponsor said SB 95 does not provide transition rules and that would require separate statutory changes. The bill passed under suspension of the rules and will move to the House.
