The Kansas Department of Commerce reached a negotiated agreement with the Peabody Main Street Association to allow distribution of the second half of a $1.5 million economic development grant. The grant was jeopardized by Jonathan Clayton's involvement in advising Peabody on the grant.
(Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) PEABODY — The Kansas Department of Commerce made a deal with officials in Peabody to allow completion of a $1.5 million infrastructure improvement project designed to spark economic renewal in the central Kansas town. The community of less than 1,000 people was deeply shaken six months ago by alleged financial mismanagement of economic development aid and the mysterious death of a local consultant involved in monitoring state grant funding awarded to the Peabody Main Street Association.
“We have worked in every possible way to avoid compounding the tragedy,” said Lt. Gov. David Toland, who also serves as secretary of the Department of Commerce.
“It’s my assessment that our best approach is to allow this work in Peabody, that we believe is important and that will be catalytic for that community long term, to get done.” Half of Peabody’s infrastructure grant was spent rebuilding walls and roofing or replacing electrical and heating systems of architecturally endearing 1880s commercial buildings in risk of collapse. The remainder of the grant to Peabody was frozen when disturbing claims surfaced that interim Peabody clerk Jonathan Clayton, an adviser .
