Riley County details Make My Move grant: $5,000 incentive, staff to review applications

Riley County planning staff told commissioners Dec. 1 that the county has been awarded a Make My Move (Hometown & Heartland) grant aimed at relocating 20 households from outside Kansas into Riley County.

"Our contract says we're going to move 20 households into the county," said Amanda Webb, Planning Director, noting applicants must relocate from outside Kansas and either bring a remote job or obtain employment with an annual salary of at least $55,000. "The first 50% of our grant funding from the state has been received," Webb added; the second half will be released after the county reaches half of the household goal.

The core incentive in the program is a $5,000 cash payment for each approved household. Webb said the county can add noncash incentives — for example, Chamber event passes or K-State event tickets — and is discussing what to include in the incentive package. "We can also do noncash incentives as part of the package that we would offer to folks when their application is approved," Webb said.

Commissioners debated whether to create a separate selection committee to evaluate applicants. Commissioner (S3) argued the Make My Move administrators have experience and suggested county staff could sufficie: "The make my move people have been doing this for years... I don't know that we need to overthink this." Webb said the Chamber and county staff are administering the program; she and Chamber staff (Allison) offered to review applications and report back to the commission. "Allison and I can review them, make those determinations that they meet the requirements, and can go forward, and then, of course, just keep you folks apprised of applicants and approvals," Webb said.

Commissioners asked for clarity on retroactivity of incentives added after initial approvals. Webb confirmed the county could choose whether newly added incentives would apply to previously approved applicants; commissioners indicated a preference to make incentives retroactive in at least some cases but asked the Chamber to clarify public messaging.

Why this matters: The program is intended to bring new residents and jobs to Riley County, with direct cash incentives and possible noncash benefits supplied by community partners. The county must reach 10 households (50% of the goal) to receive the remainder of the state funds.

Next steps: Webb said she and Chamber staff will finalize the application process and the memorandum of understanding for approved applicants, review applications, and keep the commission updated as approvals are made.