KEY QUOTE: "You just have to be very successful in landing new capital investments," Kelly explained. "We have been able to do that. In 2020, we set a record for the most new capital investments in state history. That was only good, though, for a silver shovel. But then, in 2021, we went above and beyond and hit $3.8 billion in capital investments. That earned us the gold shovel."

Kelly: Economic development key to strengthening Kansas

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly firmly believes that if the state is not growing, it is dying. That is why she and her administration have placed such an emphasis on economic development during her first term in office.

Last week, it was announced that Kansas was one of only five states to win Area Development magazine’s coveted 2022 Gold Shovel Award, the second such award in as many years. The annual award is given to states that attract high-value investment projects that create a significant number of new jobs in their communities.

While the job growth is a huge boost for Salina, it also has created a need for more housing in and around the city. On April 20, Kelly signed the new state budget that includes increases the state’s funding for housing by $65 million over two years. According to information from the governor's office, the funding "will be dedicated to the development and renovation of moderate-income housing and the creation of a state revolving loan program to support the state’s workforce needs and close the financing gap in rural communities."

"Another thing I want to build on and complete is by the end of my second term, I want to have every home and every business in the State of Kansas that wants to be connected to high-speed internet to get connected," Kelly said. "We know that if we are going to continue to grow as a state and attract people and keep people in our state, we've got to have that connectivity, so that is a goal."