KEY QUOTE: "The Sunflower State is seeing a resurgence of business investment, workforce training, and quality of life. Looking at Governor Laura Kelly’s actions since she took office in January 2019, it’s apparent that there is a plan in motion— “Kansas Framework for Growth.” Enacted by Governor Kelly, this widespread initiative impacts a wide swath of the Kansas economy from corporate investment to workforce to social concerns, such as child care and housing."

Kansas Business Climate Reimagined
Anne Cosgrove | Business Facilities
September, October 2022 Issue

In June you announced that since 2019 Kansas has attracted over $9 billion in new investment from the private sector and that more than 43,500 jobs had been created or retained in the state. What is driving this activity?

• There are several reasons we’ve seen tremendous success with regard to economic development. For one, we have an actual plan. At the start of 2021, I unveiled a new comprehensive economic development strategic plan for the state of Kansas, the first of its kind in more than 30 years. Called the “Framework for Growth,” it pinpoints areas of strength and emerging opportunities for our state that has informed our business recruitment efforts ever since.

What are target industries for Kansas? What companies have chosen the state for their business recently?

• The Framework for Growth created a roadmap for furthering developing several key Kansas industries including aviation, agriculture, biotechnology, and animal health...These industries are all seeing growth for similar reasons: Kansas’ central location, strong infrastructure, and outstanding workforce makes our state the best place in the nation to build, hire, and invest.

The APEX Act signed into law in February 2022 focuses on megaprojects by new and expanding companies in the state. Can you provide a brief overview of the incentive?

• One of the tools we used to recruit Panasonic to Kansas was passing the bipartisan Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion Act (APEX), which I signed into law earlier this year. APEX offered incentives for Panasonic to invest here, but unlike other states’ incentive packages, these tax credits and rebates will only be paid after Panasonic has made investments and hired workers. It’s estimated that every $1 of Kansas APEX incentives will generate over $26 of private investment.

What other incentives or programs are being emphasized to encourage business attraction and retention throughout the state?

• We are working hard to recruit and retain the skilled workforce Kansas needs to compete at a global level. Two of the main ways we are doing this are expanding child care and affordable housing.

What is a key issue facing the state in terms of business development? What else would you like business leaders and site selectors to know about doing business in the Sunflower State?

• I believe our approach to workforce development is indicative of why businesses are coming to Kansas right now—My administration listens to business owners’ needs, finds solutions to pertinent issues, and creates a stable, welcoming economic landscape for people to succeed. It’s as simple as that.