Dodge City Community College Foundation has gotten the green light from a federal agency to develop a community safe room project.

The foundation received a letter this week from the Kansas Division of Emergency Management saying the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved the development of the detailed design for a community safe room project submitted by the community college.

Roger Proffitt, DCCC Foundation Director, says the foundation submitted a grant application with FEMA for $491,000 to help fund the project, which will include a community activities center and tornado shelter.

FEMA has approved the first step in the process. The foundation now has until October 15th to complete the design and submit it to FEMA to move to the next phase of construction.