Seneca Awarded SEED Grant to Support Community Events and Regional Partnership

 The Seneca Area Chamber and Downtown Impact is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) Grant through the Office of Rural Prosperity and Kansas Department of Commerce. The grant will fund key improvements aimed at enhancing public spaces and regional partnerships that support community vitality.

The Chamber will use a portion of the funding to purchase portable, foldable picnic tables that will be used during downtown events such as Oktoberfest and Second Saturday Live Music. These tables will create more flexible gathering spaces, increase seating options for visitors, and improve the overall event experience in downtown Seneca.

“This investment supports our goal to create a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that draws people downtown and encourages them to stay longer,” said Kylee Bergstrom, Executive Director of the Seneca Area Chamber and Downtown Impact.

In addition to local improvements, the Chamber collaborated with the Cardinal Community Foundation in Wetmore to secure funding for a new perimeter fence around the Wetmore community daycare. This shared application highlights the spirit of regional cooperation that helps strengthen Northeast Kansas as a whole.

The SEED Grant program is designed to support economic development in rural communities by investing in quality-of-life improvements and community vibrancy. Seneca was one of only 15 communities statewide to receive this competitive funding.

“This grant is a win for both Seneca and our region,” Bergstrom added. “We’re proud to work with partners who care deeply about improving life for families, visitors, and businesses in small towns like ours.”

For more information about upcoming projects and events, visit www.comeseeseneca.com.