By the Kansas Department of Commerce
TOPEKA, Kan. — Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $380,000 has been awarded to 40 Kansas counties in the first round of Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) Local Marketing Grants. The funds are intended to help counties market the unique ROZ financial incentives available to new residents: Student loan repayment assistance and/or 100% state income tax credit.
Counties that have annually contributed and supported the matching requirement of the program will receive between $5,000 and $15,000 to better support and promote their program. Funding will assist the counties and local partner organizations as they develop customized marketing strategies best suited for their community.
“There is not a one-size-fits-all solution when effectively marketing what each unique Kansas community has to offer its residents,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The ROZ marketing grant will provide support to showcase each community’s potential to be that perfect place for someone relocating to Kansas.”
Awarded funds can be used for initiatives such as:
- Creating or improving a community’s ROZ marketing approach to highlight the opportunities for relocation
- Creating a new promotional relocation video
- Supporting a talent recruitment campaign at colleges and universities
“These new funds are intended for sponsoring counties and local partner organizations to allow for their creativity to flow and focus on how to effectively highlight their communities,” Director of Office of Rural Prosperity Trisha Purdon said. “Communities now will have the financial resources to market their rural communities to people looking to move to rural Kansas. I’m thrilled to see how each county promotes their town and everything it has to offer.”
Awards are granted based on the county’s annual sponsorship of ROZ. To view the awarded counties, click here. To find more information about the ROZ program, click here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
