The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced Friday a $2.3 million investment to the city of Greensburg.  The investment will help rebuild the central four blocks of Main Street and is expected to create 30 jobs and generate $3 million in private investment.
   Agency representatives presented the check to outgoing mayor John Janssen Saturday morning, as Representative Jerry Moran looked on.
   City Administrator Steve Hewitt had high praise for EDA following the presentation, noting at Monday night’s city council meeting that only four weeks passed between his initial conversation with the agency regarding the Main Street makeover project and the awarding of the money last Saturday.
   “This (how quickly EDA moved) is a great story,” Hewitt told The Signal Tuesday morning.  “EDA stepped up very quickly and we need more of that kind of quick action from the government.  You really have to applaud them because they gave us every last dime for this fiscal year they had left.”
   The $2.3 million worth of those dimes is “very close” to what Hewitt expects the final price tag of the project to cost.
   “I expect the bids for this project to come in at around $2.4 to $2.5 million,” he said.  “We should be able to come up with the remainder out of infrastructure funding donations.”
   Hewitt said he expects bids to be let in “another three to four weeks,” and opened shortly thereafter, within a total span of 60 days.  He said he’s hoping work on the project can begin in July and be wrapped up by Thanksgiving.
   Four blocks of Main Street will get the facelift, from the intersection of Illinois, one block north of US 54 to that of Iowa, three blocks south of the highway.
   Alterations will include a narrowing of the street that will increase by six feet the width of the sidewalk on either side from storefront to curb; the placement of large, established trees and native plants; new decorative lighting, and use of rainwater to water the vegetation.
    The design is intended to still allow accommodation of vehicle traffic through downtown while making the area more pedestrian and resident friendly.
   Plans for the streetscape, were developed over the last several months by the main architect for the City, BNIM of Kansas City, and are “about 90 percent done,” according to Hewitt.
   Comments by interested parties included the following:
   “This EDA investment will help get the Greensburg business community back on their feet following the devastating tornado of May 2007,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Sandy K. Baruah. 
   “We are proud to work with Senators Brownback and Roberts and Representative Moran to rebuild Main Street and to ensure the economic revitalization of Greensburg.”    
   “This is a significant investment in restoring Greensburg’s main street,” said    U.S.    Senator Pat Roberts.  “The grant will accelerate the return of businesses, services and jobs to downtown Greensburg.  This will boost the spirits of the residents, business owners and volunteers who are working hard to rebuild a better and greener Greensburg.”
   “Main Street is the heart of any rural community,” Congressman Jerry Moran said.  “This grant will help spur development on Greensburg’s Main Street and revitalize downtown businesses.”
   EDA serves as a venture capital resource to meet the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States.  EDA’s mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.