The Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation (DKEDC) announces Rackets Tap House in downtown Abilene has been awarded a $57,728 boost from the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grant program. Rackets Tap House will soon begin building renovations of 303 North Broadway, Abilene, as a result.
The historic building stabilization project will receive the grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity, Community Development Division, and Kansas Main Street collaboration. Also required is matching funding, which was secured by Rackets Tap House local private investors. The building renovations of Phase 1 will start no later than April and must be completed within two years.“We congratulate Rackets Tap House on developing a landmark project that will restore a historic downtown building rich in history, and infusing a modern business which will attract and be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, benefiting our community as an economic driver and producing a positive impact for Abilene and Dickinson County,” DKEDC Executive Director Jessica Goodale said.
Trevor Witt, alongside his wife Lydia, are local born-and-raised Abilene residents who began the vision for Rackets Tap House several years ago with the purchase of the historic Racket Store building, originally owned by the Duckwall Bros in the early 1900s and later home to the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle.
Jessica Goodale, Executive Director Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation (DKEDC)