Atchison County Development Corporation (ACDC) coordinates a number of workforce programs that connect students with opportunities in their county. In addition to local career awareness, they work to cultivate leadership and volunteerism through a #MakeACBeautiful youth grant program, which awards at least $500 to a beautification project in each of the three school district areas.

Applications for 2022-2023 grant projects are due September 7, 2022, with winners announced at ACDC’s annual meeting on September 14. Projects must completed by July 31, 2023.

Successful grant projects will:

• Be planned and carried out by youth. Youth 10-17 years old may apply.

• Connect youth with their peers and create an opportunity for leadership. Each team will have at least three students; one will be designated lead.

• Connect youth with adults. Each group will have an adult partner (community leader/parent/teacher).

• Beautify an area not on school grounds. Project examples might include: landscaping (clean-up of a rundown lot, planting flowers or trees), art (mural on the side of a building, paintings on crosswalks), or something new (recreation, new park features, landmark).

Contact ACDC at acdc@atchisoncounty.org or 660-744-6562 with questions or to request an application packet.