MAP assists rural communities in the following states:

Iowa

Kansas

Minnesota

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

North Dakota

South Dakota

Wyoming

See Contact Us page for corporate and field office contact information.

Kansas

The following case studies are examples of the technical assistance MAP provides to small communities at no cost.   To benefit from MAP's assistance, simply contact the Rural Development Specialist nearest you.

Mt. Hope Water Project

Mt. Hope is a small rural town located near the growing metropolitan area of Wichita, Kansas.  Concerns, about adequate fire protection, spot low-pressure areas, small sized water mains, and the ability to accommodate future growth, prompted city leaders to contact the Midwest Assistance Program for advice on how to develop and implement a utility improvement project.

An income survey, completed by the city, indicated the community is eligible for a community development block grant.  City staff was unsure how to proceed with project development and had limited knowledge about government funding programs.  City staff asked questions about how to apply for funding and how to hire an engineer.

MAP staff met with the city clerk, bookkeeper, and maintenance supervisor.  City staff obtained information on the water system.  MAP staff assisted in the identification of critical upgrades to the system.  Upgrading the size of the city’s water tower, replacing old valves, and upsizing some distribution lines, so all main trunk lines are the same size, were the main upgrade items identified.  City staff expressed concern that these things affect low-pressure problems, the ability to make efficient repairs, and the ability of the city to fight fires.

MAP staff suggested city staff ask the city council to form a development team to acquire knowledge about funding options, identify improvement needs to the system, and help procure engineering services when the city council decided to develop a project.  City staff requested information about how to develop a project, about funding programs, and how to hire an engineer.  All of this information was available in various MAP publications and provided to the city.

Staff also sought guidance on to how to start the development process.  MAP staff recommended first forming a development committee.  The committee formed in the manner suggested by MAP staff.  MAP staff developed an analysis and information guide the committee could use to identify system needs, to understand the development process and to learn about potential sources of funding.

The committee met with MAP staff in a work meeting.  The committee learned about governmental funding programs and project development at the meeting.  In addition, MAP staff identified system upgrade needs.  Using the information acquired, MAP staff helped the committee form a plan for proceeding.  The committee decided to recommend the council approve hiring an engineer to develop a preliminary engineering report (PER).  The PER would identify needed upgrades to the system and propose a plan to finance needed upgrades.  The needs list identified by the development committee would serve as the parameters under which the engineer would make his analysis.

The committee wants to be in position to apply for CDBG funding in 2002.  In Kansas, CDBG grants are awarded only once a year.  The city must submit CDBG applications by August.  In order to meet this deadline, MAP staff helped the committee understand that enough time needs to be available for the engineer to complete a PER and for a grant writer to complete the application documents.  MAP stressed that if they were serious about acquiring a CDBG grant, the city needed to hire an engineer as soon as possible.  In addition, supplemental funding will likely be needed.

If the city council gives the committee approval to proceed, MAP staff will help the committee with the selection of an engineer and grant writer.  In addition, MAP will assist the city with putting together a financial package for an improvement project.

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