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Casework Corner - Galena Grant Will Help Prevent Mine Collapses

By Jan Garton
District Representative

We rarely think about the immediate impact federal grant money has on our lives and our communities. One recent example of a federal grant helping Kansans is the story of Galena, a former mining town in Cherokee County.

In the summer of 2006, residents of Galena discovered how subsidence from abandoned mining operations threatened their community when part of the Green Parrot, a downtown business, suddenly dropped into a sinkhole.

Not only were existing buildings and families at risk, but some banks and insurance companies stopped loaning money and issuing policies for new businesses. Residents quickly created a Mining Task Force to study to the problem and find solutions.

Even before she was sworn into office, Congresswoman-elect Boyda sent me to learn about Galena’s problems at a December Task Force meeting at the request of State Representative Doug Gatewood. I learned that solving Galena's problems would require two things: mapping the extent of the voids beneath the areas of greatest threat -- downtown, the high school and the city administration buildings -- and then filling the voids where possible or taking other appropriate action.

Early in her term, Congresswoman Boyda identified available grant money from the Economic Development Administration to begin the mapping, and she made sure her staff attended every meeting to shepherd the grant proposal through the application process.

Earlier this week, the residents of Galena received exciting news: the Economic Development Administration has awarded $250,000 to the town for an engineering study to identify abandoned mine voids.  Our office congratulates Galena on a great start toward ensuring a safer community for the future.

After identifying the mine voids, the city will need help to mitigate the risk of future incidences and to allow for additional new development. That will be a long-term task that will require additional assistance from many sources.

Federal grants like these are an important tool to fund initiatives for communities around our state. If you are interested in applying for a grant to improve your Kansas community, please visit Congresswoman Boyda's website or contact our office in Topeka at (785) 234-8111 or in Pittsburg at (620) 231-3011.  We look forward to hearing from you!