Harmony Center seeks county letter and event sponsorship to pursue community‑place grant

Martin Sherry presented the Harmony Center's year‑long proof‑of‑concept and asked Geary County to back a state community placemaking grant application with at least a letter of support or a pledge. The Harmony Center seeks a $150,000 build/purchase pledge in the grant application and requested a separate $5,000 sponsorship for Harmony Fest.

Sherry described activities the center supported during the pilot year — weekly community meals, cultural potlucks, a business incubation program and other services — and estimated more than a thousand participant sign‑ins across events. He said the center helped roughly 13 families secure permanent housing and provided short‑term transition assistance for immigrants.

He also described a contractual dispute with a landlord that led to eviction from a rented space; Sherry said the landlord had earlier promised rent‑to‑own terms and reimbursement for repairs but did not honor those commitments. The commission discussed whether the county could act as a sponsor for the grant; commissioners signaled they were not prepared to underwrite the proposed $150,000 project but offered to consider a letter of support conditioned on further review. One commissioner recommended the applicant pursue small‑business and nonprofit capacity support and partner with other local organizations to strengthen the application.

Sherry said he will pursue city and other local partnerships and return with more detailed documents; the commission did not commit county funds at the hearing.