Dodge City Housing » Area Updates

Coffman Park Gets Makeover

Dodge City Housing — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:44:59 +0000

Taking pride in a community is an important aspect to any society. Having this attribute often inspires teamwork, leadership, and even sometimes change and growth.

The City of Ford, along with the Ford PRIDE and fellow citizens came together to make a difference. They came together to not only revitalize a park but to create a safe place for their children to play, as well as establish an area for community gatherings. �The city was challenged by the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation to renovate the area by receiving $10,000 from the organization to match dollar for dollar in efforts to pay for the equipment and other necessities the park needed.

Stimulating from the Public Official Exchange, the project began as an effort to bring all Ford County communities together. While the newly renovated park did just that, it also brought change to the small town in a variety of ways. Since the project has begun, a PRIDE group has formed and a code enforcement program is in the beginning stages of taking place. The efforts are all a part of revitalizing areas of the community to help it grow and prosper, thus creating economic development.

�The efforts this community has put forward with this project have shown that with teamwork and leadership goals can be accomplished. The City of Ford, PRIDE, and the volunteers have helped make this project a success, a success that will pave the way for further improvements and change within the community itself,� says Joann Knight, Executive Director of the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation.

A big thanks goes to the City of Dodge City, Dodge City Parks and Recreation, Gayla Kirmer of Spearville Pride, and the many volunteers and contributors who have helped with this project. It couldn�t have been accomplished without you!

Spearville PRIDE Wins STAR Award

Dodge City Housing — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:04:58 +0000

The City of Spearville is proud to announce that they have been chosen for the Star award; an award given by the Kansas PRIDE program. The honor is based on a specific project in which a community has to work together to make a difference in their town. The project the organization was awarded was to finish the second phase of the Green Street Park playground. Three judges from the Department of Commerce and the Kansas State Extension came to critique and evaluate the community on their efforts. This definitely shows that the Spearville community supports the PRIDE program, says President Gayla Kirmer. It takes unity and a vision to make a difference; a difference that is clearly shown within Spearville.

Ford PRIDE

Dodge City Housing — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:36:36 +0000

The community of Ford is revitalizing their town one step at a time. After a challenge to match money with a grant given from the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation to revitalize Coffman Park, the community decided to take things further and begin a PRIDE Program.

PRIDE is an organization funded through Kansas State Extension, Kansas Department of Commerce, as well as private companies. Their goal is to improve the quality of life in local communities. After years of not being a part of the PRIDE Program, a grass roots group of volunteers are excited to re-introduce PRIDE back into the Ford Community.

“The improvements to Coffman Park will be the first of many improvements to Ford in order make the community more attractive to new businesses and residents looking to locate to Ford County. Ford offers the small town, neighborhood feeling for people who want to be close to the city,” says Lori Riegel, Ford City Clerk.

The project has been a community effort and has brought people together for a common cause. If anyone is interested in taking part in PRIDE, please contact Lori Riegel at 620-369-2247.

Interfaith Housing Services Awarded Grant

Dodge City Housing — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:33:52 +0000

Interfaith Housing Services, Inc., (IHS) a non-profit organization who recently located to Dodge City, was notified that they received at $2.5 million dollar grant, along with a $500,000 loan to build 18 three and four bedroom duplexes with single car garages within the lettered streets of Dodge City. The USDA 515 Farm Labor grant will be utilized for low-to-moderate income families whom work within the agriculture production industry.

�We still have a long way to go to get the project built, but this is great step forward for us,� says John Scott, CEO of IHS.�� Kaci Davignon, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator for the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation, researched the grant.� Davignon assisted Interfaith with the application and the Development Corporation donated lots in the Haggard Addition area for the project.

IHS also offers Weatherization Grants and Individual Development Accounts for low to moderate-income individuals and families.� For more information regarding their programs, you can contact the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation 620-227-9501 or IHS at 620-371-6994.� IHS is located at 607 S. Second Avenue, Dodge City.