MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas group has received a $294,000 grant from the Department of Defense to evaluate the economic impact of potential future force reductions at Fort Riley. The Manhattan Mercury reports that the director for The Flint Hills Regional Council told Riley County Commissioners Monday that the grant will be used to hire a consultant to complete the evaluation, which will look at the effects of past reductions, and make recommendations about how surrounding communities could handle the impact of a troop reduction. Council director Gary Stith said the evaluations will focus on the impact of potential reductions on local jobs, housing, schools and retail services. Stith said that once the evaluation is complete, the council would have to apply for additional funds to implement the consultant's recommendations.
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