The Wichita City Council has approved $93 thousand for a redevelopment initiative that will benefit District I.
$88 thousand will help create a revolving loan program for emerging and small businesses, especially for minority-owned and women-owned businesses located in the district. Five thousand dollars will benefit an opportunity zone program.
District I council member and Wichita Vice Mayor Brandon Johnson says this program will help business owners in the area access their American dream.
Back in September 2017, the City Council adopted an ordinance which authorized the use of Hyatt Regency Wichita sale proceeds to fund projects in the city's six districts.
Also at Tuesday's meeting, the council approved $150 thousand in funding to help improve the city's railroad crossings. While most of the improvements are made by the railroads, a portion of the costs are paid by the city. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad and the Wichita Terminal Association all have track within the city.
The council also adopted their 2021 State Legislative Agenda, an item that was deferred from last week to give the public more time to look over it. COVID-19 recovery, health & safety, transportation, remote sellers tax, and STAR Bonds renewal highlight the city's agenda.