A Huge Win for the Kansas Department of Commerce and our State’s Economy!
We’re incredibly excited that Kansas has won the Area Development magazine’s Gold Shovel Award for the fourth year in a row! This prestigious award recognizes outstanding economic development achievements, and Kansas is leading the pack in its category.
This award is a testament to the incredible progress Kansas has made under the leadership of Governor Laura Kelly. Here’s a breakdown of why this is a big deal:
- Unprecedented Success: This is the first time in Kansas history that we’ve achieved this level of economic development recognition.
- Jobs, Jobs, Jobs: Since 2019, over 1,180 new economic development projects have been created, bringing in more than $19 billion in private sector investment and creating or retaining over 67,000 jobs for Kansans!
- Spreading the Wealth: These projects aren’t concentrated in one area – they’re happening in all corners of the state, giving Kansans across the board a chance to thrive.
Governor Kelly highlighted the importance of these opportunities, especially for young people looking to build careers in Kansas. Lieutenant Governor David Toland emphasized the success of the “Kansas Framework for Growth” initiative, a strategic plan that’s fostered targeted investment in key sectors like:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Aerospace
- Distribution & Logistics
- Food & Agriculture
- Professional & Technical Services
This focus has paid off, with 90% of business successes under the Kelly-Toland administration coming from these target areas.
We’re also proud to share some of the top projects from 2023 that contributed to this award:
- Building Materials Manufacturing Corporation brought a $350 million facility to Newton, creating 137 jobs.
- Walmart’s $257 million investment in Olathe resulted in 667 new jobs.
- High Plains Ponderosa Dairy invested $168 million in Plains, creating 95 jobs.
These are just a few examples of the many projects driving Kansas’ economic growth.
We at Team Kansas are thrilled with this recognition and will continue working hard to ensure a bright future for our state’s economy!
Want to learn more?
Head over to the official press release from the Kansas Department of Commerce for the full story: Kansas Earns Gold Shovel Award for Fourth Consecutive Year
Join the Winning Team in Kansas Economic Development!
Team Kansas is more than an organization; it’s a powerful coalition of business leaders, economic development organizations, communities, industry leaders, and more. Working hand-in-hand with the Kansas Department of Commerce, enabling Kansas to act at the speed of business. Fostering a supportive environment and driving investment across the state.
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