USDA Rural Development and Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) are joining forces to bring much-needed housing to farm workers in western Kansas. The two entities today announced nearly $2 million in funding to build ten quality, affordable rental units in Rexford.

The five duplex homes will help provide housing for new employees at McCarty Farms, a local dairy company, as well as other farm workers.

To help with construction costs, USDA Rural Development will provide a $500,000 loan and a $965,223 grant to Northwest Kansas Housing, Inc. (NWKHI), a non-profit community housing development organization serving 24 counties in Northwest Kansas.  KHRC awarded the City of Rexford a $400,000 grant from the Corporation’s Moderate Income Housing Program (MIH), a new initiative designed to help cities and counties develop moderate income housing and infrastructure in rural areas.

Located in a Rural Opportunity Zone, Rexford is home to McCarty Family Farms, a large dairy planning to double in size over the next two years to fulfill a new contract with Dannon Company, Inc. Dannon, which produces approximately 100 different types of flavors, styles and sizes of cultured fresh dairy products, is the top-selling brand of yogurt products worldwide.

NWKHI will serve as developer for the new housing in Rexford.  The City of Rexford will donate in-kind labor to build the necessary sewer and water infrastructure to the housing development. The Thomas County Economic Development Alliance will administer KHRC’s MIH grant.

Construction is anticipated to begin within two months.