Hays Post

Ellis County has been awarded a $6.5 million grant to help fund the proposed Northwest Business Corridor, according to the office of Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Hays.

The county submitted an application for the U.S. Department of Transportation grant in July. The project will reconstruct and improve approximately 4 miles of 230th and Feedlot Road and construct a new curved section where the roads meet. The project primarily is designed to give large-load vehicles an alternate route around Hays.

The project would also address the width and steepness of the hills in the road.

The total project cost is just less than $11 million. Ellis County has set aside $900,000 for the project from its Special Road and Bridge Fund. Hess Services, which sits on the route, has pledged $300,000 to the project, while the Kansas Department of Transportation has pledged $1 million in matching funds.

Midwest Energy’s Goodman Energy Center is also located on the route.

The city of Hays also received a $6 million-plus BUILD grant to fund its Vine Street reconstruction.

“I am pleased to announce that I have helped secure a BUILD grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation that will provide new resources to improve the Northwest Business Corridor,” Moran said. “Congratulations to county officials and those across Ellis County for their commitment and dedication to the project. The resources provided in this grant will allow for increased economic development in the region and help existing businesses expand through improved infrastructure that has the capacity for more freight. I look forward to continuing to work in close partnership with officials in Ellis County to see the corridor project through completion for the future of the community and all of northwest Kansas.”

Moran toured the area with local officials in August to learn more about the project.

Check Hays Post for more as details become available.