The McKinney Community Development Corp. awarded grants totaling nearly $6.4 million for community, cultural and economic development projects. The grant projects, according to a press release, are expected to help maintain and enhance the quality of life in McKinney. Grants were awarded to the city of McKinney Parks and Recreation department, North Collin County Habitat for Humanity, the McKinney Housing Authority and Heritage Guild of Collin County. The McKinney Parks and Recreation department was granted $5.5 million for parks capital improvement projects, which includes improvements to Finch Park and Gray Branch Park, restroom renovation at Al Ruschhaupt Soccer Complex, expansion of the McKinney Senior Recreation Center, a hike and bike trail expansion, land acquisitions and park accessibility projects. North Collin County Habitat for Humanity was awarded approximately $331,000 for material costs for exterior repair to 15 low-income housing units, construction of a McKinney ISD and North Texas Job Corp. project home, land acquisitions and lot preparation for construction of low-income housing. The McKinney Housing Authority was granted $500,000 for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and expansion of Merritt Homes. Heritage Guild of Collin County was granted $65,000 to repair the Taylor Inn and an irrigation system at Chestnut Square. The MEDC accepts grant applications each year for projects eligible for consideration for approval under parameters of the Texas Local Government Code, according to the release. Once applications are submitted MEDC board members hold a public hearing on the requests.