The Barn Adaptation and Restoration Needs (BARN) Grant Program is designed to assist in the revitalization of old barns within the state to support and create new agritourism operations throughout Kansas.
Donor Name: Kansas Tourism
State: Kansas
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/31/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The BARN grant program aims to preserve Kansas barns, reviving underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated structures while fostering new economic activity through agritourism ventures. These building grants are specifically designed to rescue barns from likely demolition or collapse and rehabilitate them into spaces conducive for new or expanding agritourism businesses.
The types of projects they are looking for with the BARN grant are those that will encourage people, particularly from out of state, to visit agritourism locations in Kansas. All projects should have an accountable tie to the tourism industry. The future uses of the barn, transformed through the BARN program, are not solely about preserving historical structures. Rather, they are about repurposing these spaces into vibrant hubs for agritourism activities, thereby injecting new life and economic opportunities into communities. Agritourism ventures capitalize on the appeal of agricultural experiences, offering visitors opportunities to engage with farming, local food production, and rural culture in immersive and educational ways.
Goals of BARN
- Spur economic growth in rural areas of Kansas
- Develop destination-based agritourism assets
- Enhance the visitor experience by preserving a significant aspect of Kansas’s architectural history through the restoration and revitalization of its iconic barns.
Funding Information
- A maximum of $100,000 total will be awarded in this fiscal year.
- A maximum of $25,000 may be granted to any single entity.
Eligible Projects and Activities
- Stabilization and repair of barns, including, but not limited to repairs and replacement of foundations, sills, walls, siding, flooring, structural framework, windows, doors, and roofs.
- Priority will be given to projects that retain and preserve the historic character of the barn by repairing rather than replacing historic materials; where materials are deteriorated beyond repair, the use of in-kind materials is strongly encouraged. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
- Masonry, insulation, foundations, roofs and guttering, fire stairs, windows, doors, chimneys, walls, ceilings, floors, interior stairs, elevators, lighting and fixtures, electrical wiring, data and communication, wiring (not including equipment), HVAC systems and components, plumbing systems, fire suppression sprinkler systems, and ADA accessibility solutions. This list is not exhaustive. Project expenses not listed here are at the discretion of the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce for eligibility under the grant.
- Barn owners may submit only one application for one project per year, even if they own multiple barns that would otherwise be eligible to participate in the program.
- A structural engineering report or letter from an architect must be provided showing that the building can be saved.
- Preliminary architectural drawings are required to support the scope of work. Written contractor quotes are sufficient for projects that do not require architectural drawings such as roofing.
- A letter of support from the local Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) should be included with the application
Eligible BARN Applicants
- Barns can be owned by Kansas residents, for-profit business, not-for-profit organizations, government agencies (cities, counties, townships, federally recognized Indian Tribes), Indian tribe or a consortium of Indian tribes, or institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education.
- Applicant must currently be a Registered Agritourism operator or have a qualifying plan to be a part of the Registered Agritourism Program after project completion. For program qualifications see, Kansas Agritourism (travelks.com)
- Barns must be located in Kansas
- Barns must have originally been constructed for the shelter of livestock and/or storage of farm equipment or agricultural products.
- Barns must be Fifty years old or older.
- Barn must retain a significant degree of historic character and material and be in need of substantial repair.
- Projects must show potential for reuse and revitalization as economic drivers in the community.
For more information, visit Kansas Tourism.
