Senator Marshall Announces Grant for Revitalization of Junction City Main Street
Salina – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) is pleased to announce technical assistance and agency resources for Junction City Main Street and its community partners to begin the process of revitalizing its downtown and connecting the community with its neighboring reservoir, rivers, and prairie.
“As an avid outdoorsman, I applaud Junction City’s efforts to capitalize on its proximity to the many nearby natural resources,” said Senator Marshall. “These efforts will provide greater opportunities for residents, tourists, and Fort Riley soldiers and their families to experience our state’s diverse outdoor recreation opportunities.”
“Junction City Main Street envisions a stronger connection between the ‘Best Backyard in Kansas’, Milford Lake, and our historic, newly revitalized downtown,” said Jordan McCann, Executive Director at Junction City Main Street. “The RERC’s technical assistance program will allow us to develop a strategic plan that drives tourism, strengthens our local economy, and ensures both destinations complement and support one another for long-term growth.”
Junction City Main Street, supported by assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program and the Administration’s Make America Beautiful Commission, will develop a plan that connects Main Street to regional outdoor recreation amenities, engages Fort Riley military service members with these opportunities, promotes healthier lifestyles, and attracts tourists to drive economic growth for local businesses. Additionally, the project will utilize existing brownfield assessments and cleanups while implementing green infrastructure to mitigate flooding and heat waves in the downtown area.
Background:
- Junction City is a rural community with a population of 22,300 and is home to Fort Riley and the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division, also known as The Big Red One.
- The base brings an additional 15,000 soldiers and their families to the community on a semi-permanent basis. Just outside Junction City is Milford Lake, known as one of the state’s premier fishing lakes. The lake also offers ample opportunities for camping and outdoor recreation.
- The headwaters of the Kansas River are 2.6 miles from the downtown district, and the 4.8-mile riverwalk runs along the Republican River from the outlet of Milford Lake to Trooper Gate at Fort Riley.
- The city also sits in the heart of the Flint Hills Tall Grass Prairie, offering additional opportunities for hunting, hiking, and biking.
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Contact: Payton Fuller
