Kansas Economic Development Guide 2010

kansas economic development guide kansaseconomicdevelopment.com

A Mighty Wind Big projects lift renewables enterprise

Bigger Than You Think

State’s economy grows on innovation

Opportunity Knocks Novel initiatives boost small communities

What’s Online

Read more about the state’s global aviation leadership.

Sponsored by the Kansas Department of Commerce | 2010

KANSAS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

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Workstyle Shots Heard Round the World

32

Kansas breeds a booming bioscience industry.

A Mighty Wind

40

Siemens plant investment lifts the state’s renewable energy profile.

Economic Engine

48

Kansas soars to global leadership in aviation innovation.

48

A Kansas Address

56

Business advantages make the state a major draw for corporate headquarters.

Growing Global

62

A diverse economy makes the state an export leader.

Good Things in Small Places

68

Rural Kansas plays a leading role in the state’s economic development.

Opportunity Knocks

74

Innovative programs help small communities across the state prosper.

Into the Great Wide Open

80

Natural beauty, history, culture shape the Kansas experience.

A Perfect Match

88

Coordinated state programs aid employers, job seekers.

68

Table of Contents Continued

ON THE COVER The 5.4.7. Arts Center in Greensburg is the first building in Kansas to receive a LEED Platinum rating. PHOTO BY JEFF ADKINS

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Insight

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112 118

Overview

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Business Almanac

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Business Climate: Bigger Than You Think

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Energy

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Transportation

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Economic Profile

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Livability ‘Anything You Could Want’ Education

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PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

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W H E R E

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 2010 EDITION , VOLUME 1 CONTENT DIRECTOR/BUSINESS PUBLICATIONS BILL McMEEKIN PROOFREADING MANAGER RAVEN PETTY CONTENT COORDINATORS JENNIFER GRAVES, ERICA HINES STAFF WRITER KEVIN LITWIN COPY EDITORS LISA BATTLES, JOYCE CARUTHERS, JILL WYATT CONTRIBUTING WRITERS PAMELA COYLE, MICHAELA JACKSON, CLAIRE RATLIFF, AMY STUMPFL MEDIA TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, JESSICA MANNER, JANINE MARYLAND, KRIS SEXTON, CANDICE SWEET, VIKKI WILLIAMS MEDIA TECHNOLOGY ANALYSTS CHANDRA BRADSHAW, YAMEL HALL, ALISON HUNTER, MARCUS SNYDER PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, BRIAN McCORD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER WEB CONTENT MANAGERS JOHN HOOD, KIM MADLOM WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR FRANCO SCARAMUZZA WEB DESIGNER LEIGH GUARIN WEB DEVELOPER JEREMY DICKENS AD PRODUCTION MANAGER KATIE MIDDENDORF AD TRAFFIC ASSISTANTS MARCIA MILLER, PATRICIA MOISAN I.T. DIRECTOR YANCEY BOND I.T. SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY REGIONAL SALES MANAGER CHARLES SWEENEY SALES SUPPORT/COMMUNITY, BUSINESS, CUSTOM RACHAEL GOLDSBERRY SENIOR ACCOUNTANT LISA OWENS ACCOUNTS PAYABLE COORDINATOR MARIA McFARLAND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE COORDINATOR DIANA GUZMAN OFFICE MANAGER/ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE COORDINATOR SHELLY MILLER SENIOR INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER CLAY PERRY SALES SUPPORT MANAGER CINDY HALL CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN SENIOR V.P./SALES TODD POTTER, CARLA THURMAN SENIOR V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY HESTER SENIOR V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER V.P./CONTENT DEVELOPMENT TEREE CARUTHERS V.P./CUSTOM PUBLISHING KIM NEWSOM V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER V.P./CONTENT OPERATIONS NATASHA LORENS V.P. SALES CHARLES FITZGIBBON, HERB HARPER, JAREK SWEKOSKY CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY CONTENT DIRECTOR/TRAVEL PUBLICATIONS SUSAN CHAPPELL MARKETING CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY SIMPSON EXECUTIVE SECRETARY KRISTY DUNCAN HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE RECEPTIONIST LINDA BISHOP

Kansas Economic Development Guide is published annually

by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Kansas Department of Commerce.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Kansas Department of Commerce 1000 S.W. Jackson St., Suite 100 • Topeka, KS 66612-1354 Phone: (785) 296-3481 • Fax: (785) 296-3665 www.kansascommerce.com

VISIT KANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE ONLINE AT KANSASECONOMICDEVELOPMENT.COM ©Copyright 2010 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

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L I F E S T Y L E | W O R K S T Y L E | D I G G I N G D E E P E R | V I D EO | L I N K T O U S | A D V E R T I S E | C O N TA C T U S | S I T E M A P

KANSAS ONLINE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

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DIGITAL MAGAZINE >>

KANSAS

Wh What’s Online On Read more Rea about the state’s global aviation leadership.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE kansaseconomicdevelopment.com

A Mighty Wind Big projects lift renewables enterprise

Bigger Than You Think State’s economy grows on innovation

Lifestyle Find out what it’s like to live here and what makes the state such a special place to be.

Opportunity Knocks Novel initiatives boost small communities SPONSORED BY THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE | 2010

Read the magazine on your computer, zoom in on articles and link to advertiser Web sites.

NEWS AND NOTES >> Our editors give you the Inside Scoop on the latest development and trends across the state.

Workstyle A spotlight on innovative companies that call the state home

SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS >> Meet the people who set the pace for business innovation.

DIG DEEPER >> Plug into the state with links to local Web sites and resources to give you a big picture of the region.

DATA CENTRAL >> A wealth of demographic and statistical information puts the entire state at your fingertips.

See the Video Our award-winning photographers give you a virtual tour of unique spaces, places and faces.

GUIDE TO SERVICES >> Links to a cross section of goods and services special to the state

GO ONLINE

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Western Kansas …

Where life works!

What you know about us …

Western Kansas, there is space to breathe and freedom to thrive here.

It’s a great place to grow up or raise a family, to be a part of a neighborhood.

Children receive personalized education through some of the best schools in the nation, and they are raised in safe, affordable surroundings. Find peace in the beautiful, clear, star-filled skies.

What you may not know about us is …

Western Kansas, even today, is full of unique and plentiful job opportunities.

In addition to the traditional industries, there are a host of new businesses that will surprise you. New technologies and ideas have transformed your possibilities.

What you will find in Western Kansas …

The quality of life is better than ever, even with the sagging national economy.

There is a lot to do, short commutes, the cost of living is lower than many other places, housing is affordable, the entrepreneurial environment is inspiring, and the workplace needs you and appreciates you!

Visit WesternKSjobs.com to learn more about the jobs and lifestyle of Western Kansas.

Turn the pages of our

Digital Magazine

KANSAS

What’ss Onlinee Read more about the state’s global aviation leadership.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE kansaseconomicdevelopment.com

A Mighty Wind Big projects lift renewables enterprise

Bigger Than You Think State’s economy grows on innovation

Opportunity Knocks Novel initiatives boost small communities SPONSORED BY THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE | 2010

LIVE LINKS Hot links allow you to quickly link to other sites for additional information, and an ad index allows you to easily locate local advertisers in the magazine.

SEARCH AND YOU SHALL FIND An easy-to-use search function allows you to find specific articles or browse content by subject.

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Overview

Taking a Lead Role in Jobs, Investment KANSAS PROGRAMS HELP CREATE A DYNAMIC, DIVERSE STATE ECONOMY With all the gloomy headlines surrounding the national economy for the past two years, it’s tempting to think there’s no good news to be found.

But in Kansas, we’ve weathered the worst of the national downturn and continue to achieve successes in industries such as advanced manufacturing, alternative energy, biotechnology, agriculture and professional services, to name a few.

Most importantly, we’ve achieved these successes while remaining true to our long-term economic goals and strategies. As a result, Kansas is well-positioned for economic growth in the coming years – making it a great place for business leaders to relocate or expand a business.

As you read through this inaugural edition of the Kansas Economic Development Guide, you’ll notice a few trends. First, you’ll notice our state’s commitment to creating a pro-business regulatory climate.

You’ll notice a commitment to our

educational institutions and the development of a versatile workforce to meet the ever-changing needs of Kansas businesses. You’ll notice how Kansas offers a central location and logistical advantages that you can’t find anywhere else.

Most importantly, you’ll notice that Kansas is about leadership, innovation and the strategic pursuit of industries in which we have a comparative advantage.

Kansas is the world’s aviation capital, producing nearly 40 percent of global general aviation aircraft.

Northeast Kansas is home to the renowned Animal Health Corridor, which comprises 40 percent of the world’s animal health and veterinary science interests.

Meanwhile, central and western Kansas continue to confirm our reputation among the top states for wind energy and renewable fuels – sectors in which we’re primed for extraordinary growth in the coming years.

But don’t take my word for it.

Listen to the stories of the companies profiled throughout this magazine. These are top-tier companies that could go anywhere in the world but recognize Kansas as the best place to grow their business.

We like to say that Kansas is “as big as you think.” We invite you to come see what we mean.

Gov. Mark Parkinson

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Almanac MAKING THE CONNECTION Kansas is committed to promoting broadband Internet access and connectivity in all parts of the state.

The Kansas Department of Commerce has launched the Connect Kansas program to work with broadband providers in every region of the state to create detailed maps of broadband coverage that will accurately pinpoint remaining gaps in broadband availability.

In addition, the program is surveying residents on Internet usage and screening applicants for federal grants designed to improve access statewide. For more on the initiative, go to www.connectkansas.org.

INNOVATION, ONE TURN AT A TIME If you key in “1200 E. 151st St., Olathe, KS, 66062-3426” into one of its products, you’ll get step-by-step directions to the headquarters of Garmin International, a world leader in global positioning system navigation devices.

The company, which sprang from a brainstorming session by a group of engineers sitting around a card table in 1989, has grown today to a worldwide workforce of more than 7,000.

The company’s products have applications for automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine and aviation use. For more, go to www.garmin.com.

UNTIL THE COWS COME HOME Got milk? Kansas does, and lots of it.

The state is promoting itself as the “new frontier” for large dairy operations, and western Kansas in particular has seen growth in its dairy industry.

Promoters note the state is well situated geographically and agriculturally for dairy production, and cite such factors as a favorable regulatory environment, available expertise, abundant water supply, ideal annual rainfall and climate conditions, and access to feedstock, such as the 300 million bushels of corn grown there annually.

Go to www.dairyinkansas.com for more.

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LUCAS Harlow Lodging – (785) 525-7725 Rental house, days, weekends, etc.

Lucas RV Parks – (785) 525-6236 Rental apartments & mobile home, RV Park Nelson Rentals – (785) 525-7753 Rental house, days, weekends, etc.

North Star Realty – (785) 525-6391 Real Estate Broker Postusta Lodging – (785) 526-7767 Hunters, reunions, etc.

Stone Cottage Farm Bed & Breakfast (785) 525-6494 XXX TUPOFDPUUBHFGBSN DPN r 0WFSOJHIU MPEHJOH Thacker’s Cottages – (785) 525-7739 Rental house, days, weekends, etc.

The South House (785) 525-6292 or (785) 786-4980 Rental house, days, weekends Wolf Creek Outfitters – (785) 525-6200 www.wolfcreekhunting.net Guided hunting retreat

LURAY Lazy Cedar Hunting Cottage – (785) 698-2438 )VOUJOH SFVOJPOT WBDBUJPO SFOUBM The Roost – (785) 698-2459 Rental house, days, weekends, etc.

WILSON LAKE

GORAM

Cedar Ridge Cabins – Wilson Lake (785) 623-3937 or (785) 628-8088 Weekend house for rent

Dickenson Ranch – (785) 998-4401 www.dickensonranch.com Working ranch experience

Wilson Lake Campgrounds – State Park (785) 658-2465 Wilson Lake Campgrounds – Corp.

(785) 658-2551

RUSSELL

DORRANCE

American Lodge & Suites (785) 483-4200 www.americinn.com Days Inn (785) 483-4262 www.daysinn.com Russell Inn (785) 483-6660 www.russellinn.com Super 8 (785) 483-2488 www.super8.com Dunder Estates RV Park (785) 483-2603 Prime 8 Inn (785) 483-2200

Vonda Czech Inn (785) 666-4334 Country Inn B&B (785) 666-4334

RUSSELL COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU & 8JDIJUB "WF r 3VTTFMM ,4 r

SDFE!SVTTFMMLT PSH r XXX WJTJUSVTTFMMDPLT DPN

KANSAS MADE, AND PROUD OF IT Want to get a taste of Kansas? The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Rural Development Division operates the Simply Kansas program, which promotes products grown, raised, produced or processed in the state, as well as Kansas agritourism experiences. Member companies, which include producers of a wide range of food products, wines and crafts, as well as agritourism-related businesses, farmers markets, restaurants and specialty retailers, are included on the Simply Kansas online directory. Membership includes marketing and technical assistance and the ability to use the Simply Kansas logo on packaging and marketing materials. For more on the Simply Kansas program, go to www.simplykansas.com.

HIGH-PROFILE STYLE Its client list runs the gamut from former Vice President Dick Cheney to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sir Elton John and Janet Jackson.

Since 1993, Plainville, Kan.-based Dessin Fournir has made a name for itself designing, manufacturing and marketing home furnishings targeted at the high-end residential and contract markets. The company’s collections are featured in 14 showrooms throughout the United States and one in Canada, and it also sells its products online.

A KEY STOP ON THE ROAD TO JUSTICE The landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision Brown vs. Board of Education is commemorated in Topeka, Kan. Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site & Museum features interactive exhibits and audiovisual media that educate visitors not only about the historic high court decision that banned segregation in public schools, but also about the U.S. civil rights movement.

The company's product lines include Dessin Fournir, Kerry Joyce and Gérard in furnishings, textile outfit Classic Cloth, a fabric and wallpaper operation, and C.S. Post & Co., retail and online stores that offer gifts, jewelry, furniture and gourmet kitchen accessories. Go to www.dessinfournir.com for more information.

Operated by the National Park Service, the museum includes an auditorium that screens the awardwinning film Race and the American Creed, which explores events that led up to the case. For more, go to www.nps.gov/brvb/index.htm.

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Our schools, our seasonal climate, our excellent transportation, our growing economy, and our proximity to a major metropolitan area all combine to make Atchison, Kansas a great place to visit, a great place to work, and a great place to live. +ANSAS !VE s !TCHISON +3 s FAX

www.growatchison.com

SUCCESS MAGNIFIED Overland Park, Kan., is world headquarters for Bushnell, an industry leader in high-performance sports optics for more than a half century.

Bushnell boasts leading market share in all of the sports optics categories, and its products, such as binoculars, scopes, opes, field glasses and range finders, have consistently won design and performance awards from prestigious organizations.

The company's products are used d in outdoor pursuits including spectator sports, nature study, birding, fishing, hunting and stargazing. For more, go to www.bushnell.com.

WHO NEEDS AN OCEAN? Kansas isn't known for its deep-water ports, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to build boats there.

The state is home to Cobalt Boats, a company based in Neodesha, Kan., that builds sports craft, cruisers and yachts sold through a worldwide dealer network.

A LEG UP IN DENIM The Lee brand has been synonymous with denim jeans almost since its birth as the Lee Mercantile Co. in 1889 in Salina, Kan. The company's innovations include the Union-All work jumpsuit created in 1913 and the first-ever "Overall" in 1920, the same year the Buddy Lee doll was launched as a promotion, but quickly became a popular play doll.

Today, the company is owned by VF Corp., the largest apparel company in the world.

Headquartered in Merriam, Lee manufactures and markets brand denim, casual pants, shirts, fleece and knit apparel. The company founded Lee National Denim Day, the largest single-day fundraiser for breast cancer research. The event takes place each year on the first Friday in October.

Go to www.lee.com for more.

The family-owned company, which is more than 40 years old, has won numerous accolades for its crafts, including an eighth consecutive “highest in customer satisfaction” for its large runabouts in J.D. Power and Associates Boat Competitive Information Study in 2009.

To learn more, go to www.cobaltboats.com.

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Business Climate

Bigger Than You Think Kansas leverages know-how into global leadership Story by Kevin Litwin

workforce

innovation

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KANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

low costs

T

hough it has a population of just over 2.8 million, Kansas packs a heavy economic punch.

A proactive legislative and regulatory environment, a range of incentives and major advantages in costs, taxes, skilled workforce, highcaliber and research-oriented higher education, and major transportation assets have combined to make the Sunflower State a haven for investment, innovation, expansion and jobs.

The state ranked seventh on CNBC’s annual America’s Top States for

Business report and, for the second straight year, in the top 10 for site selection by Pollina Corporate Real Estate, one of the nation’s premier corporate relocation firms. Kansas was named one of the nation’s 10 most competitive states for capital investment and new facility development by Site Selection magazine. Kansas ranked 15th on Forbes 2009 list of best states for business, an upgrade of six spots from its 2006 ranking.

As a measure of the investment buzz surrounding Kansas, consider

that in an eight-day stretch in December 2009, the state announced projects that will create 2,400 jobs and $131 million in capital investment.

The state has built a reputation for innovation in such diverse industry sectors as bioscience, animal health, energy technology, aviation, advanced manufacturing and agriculture.

Wichita is the aviation capital of the world, with 50 percent of domestic general aviation aircraft and 40 percent of global aircraft produced in the city. Northeast Kansas is home to the burgeoning Animal Health

Kansas’ advantages have attracted a roster of national manufacturers, such as Goodyear Tire & Rubber, which has a Topeka operation.

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Corridor, with 40 percent of global animal health and veterinary science interests converged in the region.

A string of recent expansions and new investments underscore that Kansas is open for business. Siemens Energy announced in 2009 that it will build a 300,000-square-foot wind-turbine manufacturing facility in Hutchinson that will begin operation in late 2010. That project, the first major wind-turbine equipment factory in Kansas, will create 400 high-paying jobs.

“Kansas will be one of the top states in the country for wind energy, no doubt about it,” says Joe Monaco, public information officer for the

Kansas Department of Commerce.

Global engineering and construction giant Black & Veatch considered more than 40 options before deciding to buy the Overland Park building that houses its world headquarters and embark on a 250,000-square-foot expansion.

The firm has about 2,300 employees at the headquarters, which is the largest office complex in the state.

The new headquarters will include several sustainability features, including a solar courtyard, solar canopy and bio garden.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. will make capital investments of up to $250 million to modernize its

off-highway tires operation at its Topeka plant and retain up to 1,400 employees for 10 years, in part from up to $14.2 million in training incentives made available through the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Investments in Major Projects and Comprehensive Training, or IMPACT, program.

“Kansas really stepped up and showed a commitment to keeping us here,” says Whitney E. Watson, communications manager for Goodyear-Topeka.

The company makes tires for medium-radial trucks, such as UPS vehicles and school buses, and tires for Humvees used by the U.S. military. In

Cost of Doing Business Comparison 120

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Source: Economy.com 2008 Cost of Doing Business Index

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fact, more than 1.6 million tires have been produced for the military alone since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York.

The plant makes gigantic earthmover tires that stand 11.5 feet tall and weigh more than four tons apiece.

The company has been a manufacturing presence in Topeka since 1944. The latest planned investment comes on the heels of $124 million in upgrades the company made in Topeka from 2002 to 2008.

Goodyear has an annual payroll in Topeka of $150 million in wages and benefits, and pays another $25 million annually to local vendors and suppliers.

A pro-business commitment is steadily elevating Kansas in the overall national commerce picture.

“The word is getting out about Kansas and its innovation in industry,” says Monaco. “It’s good to be a Kansan in business these days.”

“The word is getting out about Kansas and its innovation in industry. It’s good to be a Kansan in business these days.”

Sprint Nextel maintains its world headquarters in Overland Park.

Kansas By the Numbers

2.8 million Kansas population

1.49 million Total labor force

$36,768 Kansas per capita income in 2007

Kansas’ rank among the 50 states for workers’ compensation premium ratings

TODD BENNET T

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Major Projects in 2009 APRIA HEALTH CARE

SIEMENS ENERGY

U.S. BANK

Community: Overland Park New Jobs: 550 Retained Jobs: 150 Capital Investment: $13.2 million Description: Regional billing, customer service

Community: Hutchinson New Jobs: 400 Capital Investment: $30 million Description: Wind turbine manufacturing

Community: Overland Park New Jobs: 1,174 Capital Investment: $21 million Description: Financial services

TINDALL CORP. ARCHER TECHNOLOGIES Community: Overland Park New Jobs: 306 Retained Jobs: 131 Capital Investment: $6.4 million Description: Custom computer programming

Community: Newton New Jobs: 405 Capital Investment: $65.9 million Description: Wind tower base production

What’s Onlinee Learn more about new business activity and investment in Kansas at kansaseconomicdevelopment.com.

BLACK & VEATCH Community: Overland Park New Jobs: 3,300 Retained Jobs: 2,800 Capital Investment: $115 million Description: Engineering consulting

GENERAL MOTORS Community: Kansas City, KS New Jobs: 1,300 Description: Auto production

HOME DEPOT Community: Topeka New Jobs: 300 Capital Investment: $27 million Description: Distribution services

J.P. MORGAN Community: Overland Park New Jobs: 650 Capital Investment: $30 million Description: Financial services

KC STEAK CO. Community: Kansas City, KS New Jobs: 201 Retained Jobs: 166 Capital Investment: $9.6 million Description: Meat processing

NCO GROUP Community: Lenexa New Jobs: 725 Capital Investment: $9.8 million Description: Customer service

SARA LEE Community: Kansas City, KS New Jobs: 250 Capital Investment: $148.5 million Description: Sliced meat processing

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KANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

Shots Heard ‘Round the World Kansas breeds a booming bioscience industry

Story by Michaela Jackson

I

f Kansas isn’t on the tip of your tongue every time you think of the word bioscience, you might not be getting the full picture.

The state is earning a reputation around the country and the world as a hub of research, innovation and development in the biosciences, ranging from animal health – where it is an undisputed global powerhouse – to prescription drug production to medical device manufacturing.

Kansas had nearly 1,100 private biosciencerelated enterprises in 2006 employing more

than 16,000 people, according to a Kansas Bioscience Authority report. Bioscience venture capital investment in Kansas totaled more than $101 million from 2004 to 2007 and universities spent more than $220 million on bioscience research in 2006 alone.

Kansas has successfully leveraged its long history of innovation in crop sciences, animal health and agriculture to create a booming bioscience cluster. The legacy of pharmaceutical giant Marion Laboratories in Kansas City, which was partially acquired by Dow Chemical and renamed Marion Merrell

More Insight Kansas Bioscience Authority www.kansasbioauthority.org (913) 397-8300 info@kansasbioauthority.org KansasBio www.kansasbio.org (913) 495-4334 info@kansasbio.org

Kansas has emerged as a world leader in biosciences. PHOTO COURTESY OF HARLAND SCHUSTER

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Dow in 1989, along with renowned research excellence at the University of Kansas and Kansas State University, have helped propel aggressive industry growth.

Since 2005, more than a dozen bioscience companies have chosen Kansas as a place to land or expand.

“There is really no limit to the amount of opportunity this region will see over the next decade based on the stars aligning and Kansas getting there first,” says Angela Kreps, president of the nonprofit KansasBio, which serves as an advocate for the bioscience community in Kansas.

In 2004, the state created the Kansas Bioscience Authority, a $581 million initiative focused on building research space, expanding the state’s growing bioscience industry cluster, attracting bioscience innovators and fostering the growth of homegrown bioscience startups.

At any given time, 2,000 clinical

Bio By the Numbers

1,075 Bioscience firms in Kansas as of 2006

424 Patents awarded in Kansas in 2007

$61.6 million Bioscience investment capital in Kansas in 2007

$220 million Research spending at Kansas universities and colleges in 2006 Source: Kansas Bioscience Authority

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KANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

PHOTO COURTESY OF HARL AND SCHUSTER

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What’s Onlinee Learn more about the Kansas bioscience industry at kansaseconomicdevelopment.com.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HARL AND SCHUSTER

trials are in progress in Kansas, involving twice as many physicians as any other place in the country.

“Time equals money. If you are in San Diego or San Francisco or Boston trying to get your bioscience company off the ground, you need to take a look at Kansas, because we are in the business of making this happen faster,” Kreps says. “That’s the secret sauce. Come here, get it done faster, make your money work for you.”

Today, nationally recognized names such as Quintiles, Bayer and Merck fill the state’s corporate roster, and companies new and old are lining up to invest in Kansas.

“People are now starting to look at The presence of companies such as Bayer Animal Health have made Kansas the epicenter of global animal health innovation.

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Employment in private bioscience enterprises in Kansas 2006

2005

2004

0

5000

10000

15000

Source: Kansas Bioscience Authority

PHOTO COURTESY OF HARL AND SCHUSTER

Kansas as the place where bioscience is buzzing,” Kreps says. “Everybody is looking at what’s happening in Kansas and bringing their checkbooks to the table.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced in December 2008 that it will build the $450 million National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, or NBAF, in Manhattan, Kan. Construction on the lab, which will be dedicated to protecting the United States from bioterror attacks and disease outbreaks, could start as early as 2010.

Roughly 32 percent of the $19 billion animal health industry is based in the Kansas City area. The state is known, in fact, as the animal health capital of the world.

The early part of 2006 saw the establishment of the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, which runs from Manhattan, Kan., to Columbia, Mo. “One of the advantages we saw early on goes beyond just attracting companies or allowing companies here to grow. This really is an opportunity to use the collaboration of the industry to change the face of veterinary medicine,” says Bob Walker, director of communications for Bayer Animal Health, a company that was instrumental in the development of the corridor. “We at Bayer are committed to this region, we’re committed to the Animal Health Corridor. We see the tremendous benefit that will come, that has already touched us. And as the corridor grows and thrives, the companies that are associated with it will follow suit.”

The bioscience sector employs more than 16,000 people in Kansas.

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A Mighty Wind Siemens plant investment lifts Kansas’ renewable energy profile

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Kansas is ranked third nationally in wind-generation capacity and 10th in existing capacity. In 2009, Siemens Energy and Tindall Corp. announced plans for new wind turbine production facilities in Kansas.

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Story by Pamela Coyle Photography by Jeff Adkins

T

hat famous Kansas wind is blowing in favor of renewable energy production, attracting Siemens Energy to the state for its first U.S. nacelle plant and setting the stage for other firms in the wind supply chain to take a look.

Siemens, part of German conglomerate Siemens AG, is investing $50 million on a new facility in Hutchinson that will mean 400 new jobs at full production. The first nacelles – large, heavy structures that house the gearbox, drive train and control electronics of a wind turbine – are expected to ship in late 2010, says Kevin Hazel, Siemens’ vice president of supply chain management.

The fact that each nacelle weighs 90 tons – Siemens outsources the

Power is distributed from wind turbines at the Kansas City Power & Light Wind Energy Facility in Spearville.

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What’s Online O Learn more about Kansas’ role in renewable energy production at kansaseconomic development.com.

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components and assembles them in the big, steel housings it makes – contributed to the location choice.

“It is one of the major wind zones in the United States,” Hazel says. “To the south you have Texas, New Mexico and Colorado, then to the north are North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois.”

Together, the two regions are and will be major U.S. wind power producers. Siemens wanted a spot from which its product could be distributed efficiently, Hazel says.

Siemens is a big score for the Sunflower State; the company received proposals from 80 communities across the country, and state officials say the Hutchinson decision is creating a buzz.

“We are working with some companies that are in the supply chain, international companies looking to set up U.S. operations because of companies like Siemens that are setting up here,” says Randi Tveitaraas Jack, international business recruiter for the Kansas Department of Commerce.

South Carolina-based Tindall Corp. announced plans in Dercember 2009 to build a facility in Newton to manufacture concrete base systems for wind turbines that will enable the towers to be extended to optimal heights for maximum power generation.

It was not previously economically feasible to construct conventional steel towers to those heights.

Tindall plans a 150,000- to 200,000-squarefoot facility, with a total capital investment of approximately $66 million and employment of nearly 200 workers by the end of the first year. Employment is projected to reach 405 people at an annual payroll of $21 million

KANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

by the end of the third year.

Already, more than 200 existing Kansas companies identify themselves as current or prospective wind industry suppliers, according to a December 2009 survey.

The Advanced Manufacturing Institute at Kansas State University compiled the survey results for the Commerce Department. The department also hosted wind supply chain workshops in Topeka and Wichita that drew a combined 500 attendees.

Kansas is a wind production leader, too.

By the Numbers PICKING UP A HEADWIND

3 Kansas’ rank among U.S. states in potential wind generation capacity

10 Rank among U.S. states in existing capacity

634 Number of turbines operating

1,013.5 Existing power capacity in megawatts Source: American Wind Energy Association

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S TA F F P H O T O

Kansas is emerging as a prime destination for wind energy component manufacturing.

The state passed the 1,000-megawatt mark in 2009, and its wind-generating capacity tripled in less than two years as major projects in Barber, Cloud, Lincoln and Wichita counties came online.

The American Wind Energy Association ranks Kansas 10th in existing capacity and third in potential capacity in the United States.

Big projects owned by Westar Energy, BP Alternative Energy, Horizon Wind Energy, and Enel North American added more than 600 megawatts in 2008 and 2009.

The state met its goal early of producing 10 percent of its electricity

from renewable sources by 2010; the new goal is 20 percent by 2020.

To help get there, state lawmakers in their 2009 legislative session approved incentives for big wind and solar energy projects. Up to $5 million in bond financing is available for projects that create at least 200 jobs with an average salary of $32,500 or more. The minimum capital investment is $30 million, and companies pay back the bonds with their share of employees’ withholding taxes.

Smaller projects are part of the landscape, too. The Greensburg Wind Farm, 10 turbines that will produce a

combined 12.5-megawatts, broke ground in October 2009. Built by John Deere Renewables, which has three dozen wind farms in eight states, the project is part of a broader effort to rebuild a town destroyed by a tornado in 2005.

Greensburg is using 1.25-megawatt turbines; Siemens will build nacelles for the 2.3-megawatt turbine in a 300,000-square-foot facility. Initial output, at full speed, will be about 650 nacelles a year, though Siemens is ready for more.

“The plant is designed to expand on site to double output should it be needed,” Hazel says.

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Economic Engine Kansas soars in aviation innovation Story by Amy Stumpfl

Hawker Beechcraft makes the Hawker 4000 in Kansas. Left: The Kansas aviation industry employs more than 33,000 workers.

P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F H AW K E R B E EC H C R A F T C O R P O R AT I O N

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ith its proud heritage and promising future, the aviation industry is taking the Kansas economy to new heights.

More than half of the general aviation aircraft produced in the United States are built in Kansas, with industry giants such as Cessna Aircraft, Spirit AeroSystems, Hawker Beechcraft Corp., Boeing Defense, Space & Security and Bombardier Aerospace Learjet leading the way.

These companies employ more than 33,000 workers, with many operations clustered in the Wichita area.

Cessna, established in Kansas in 1927, is the largest producer of general

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ANTONY BOSHIER

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S TA F F P H O T O

Bottom: Wichita-based Spirit AeroSystems is a major content supplier for Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner. Left: Cessna has been a Kansas aviation fixture since 1927.

aviation aircraft and business jets in the world, based on the number of units delivered annually. Today, Cessna has three major facilities in Kansas – the company’s headquarters and main assembly facility at Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport; a subassembly production and advanced development facility in nearby Pawnee; and an assembly facility in Independence.

Doug Oliver, Cessna’s director of corporate communications, says Kansas’ unique location bolsters its reputation as Air Capital of the World.

“The foremost advantage of doing business in Kansas is the quality of the workforce,” he says. “These are people who have grown up around airplanes – it is a passion for most.

Many of our employees come from a long line of aerospace workers.

In many cases, they come from a long line of Cessnans.”

The dedication to aerospace has helped shape education and training in Kansas, Oliver says. Cessna works directly with engineering schools at

several Kansas institutions, including Wichita State University and its world-renowned National Institute for Aviation Research.

Established in 2005, Wichita-based Spirit AeroSystems is the world’s largest supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components.

“The quality of the workforce, the Midwest work ethic – these are certainly important,” says Richard Buchanan, chief operations officer of Spirit AeroSystems. “But it goes beyond that. Aviation is almost a way of life in this part of the country. I’m second generation, my kids are third generation, and that’s pretty typical here. I like to say that aerospace is a family business for Wichita.”

Like Oliver, Buchanan sees the area’s higher education system as a major draw for aircraft manufacturers.

“They’re at the leading edge of technology,” he says. “Wichita State, Pittsburg State, the University of Kansas, Kansas State – they all have good curricula associated with what

MAJOR KANSAS AVIATION EMPLOYERS Spirit AeroSystems

10,300

Cessna Aircraft

8,200

Hawker Beechcraft

5,300

Boeing Defense, Space & Security

2,500

Bombardier/Learjet

2,250 MORE AT KANSASECONOMICDEVELOPMENT.COM

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we do, and that gives manufacturers a good base to recruit from.”

And despite the economic downturn, many manufacturers continue to grow.

For example, Park Aircraft Technologies Corp. recently announced plans to expand its operations in Newton. The company is adding another 42,000 square feet to the recently completed facility, which was designed to develop and produce advanced composite materials for the aircraft and space vehicle industries. The company expects to be operational by September 2010.

“We have a lot of experienced people available, ” Buchanan says of the state’s aviation sector. “But we also have strong training programs in place, with state and local support to help grow the industry.”

Hawker Beechcraft’s T-6B Right: The energy-efficient 787 Dreamliner from Boeing PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOEING CO.

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HOURLY WAGES FOR SELECT MANUFACTURING JOBS IN KANSAS Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians

$23.55

Assemblers & Fabricators

$18.43

Avionics Technicians

$23.59

Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal & Plastic

$16.63

Electrical & Electronic Equipment Assemblers

$12.14

Engineering Managers

$50.12

First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Production & Operating Workers

$23.18

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

$19.08

Industrial Production Managers

$37.86

Machinists

$15.40

Numerical Tool & Process Control Programmers

$22.08

Production Workers, All Other

$16.13

Structural Metal Fabricators & Fitters

$14.39

Tool & Die Makers

$23.92

Welding, Soldering & Brazing Machine Setters, Operators & Tenders

$15.66

MORE AT KANSASECONOMICDEVELOPMENT.COM

More Insight The Kansas Legislature in 2006 eliminated the property tax on new business and machinery, generating major savings for large-scale manufacturers, including aviation companies. In 2008, the legislature approved making up to $33 million in state incentives available for eligible large-scale aviation projects.

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High Flier RENOWNED RESEARCH INSTITUTE AIDS KANSAS AVIATION processing, aging aircraft, full-scale structural testing, composites and advanced materials, crash dynamics, environmental testing, human factors, mechanical testing and virtual reality. A key part of the institute is the Walter H. Beech wind tunnel, which provides industry, government agencies and educational institutions with the facilities, equipment and staff for aerodynamic testing and research. Other NIAR labs offer support in areas such as CAD/CAM, calibration and quality, computational mechanics and visual technology.

“As part of the university, we are a nonprofit, which means our services are quite affordable. We also are able to draw upon the university’s outstanding talent, collaborating with both professors and student assistants on research,” Friess says.

NIAR also will serve as a partner in the new National Center for Aviation Training at Jabara Airport in Wichita.

The $54 million, 200,000-square-foot facility is scheduled for completion in August 2010.

“We will have significant laboratory space at the new center,” Friess says. “And we will work closely with Wichita Area Technical College to develop high-tech training courses.”

– Amy Stumpfl

TODD BENNET T

Partnerships among businesses and universities are nothing new. But the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University takes this concept to a new altitude.

Established in 1985, NIAR is renowned for its cuttingedge research, design, testing and certification, providing expertise and assistance to the aviation industry, as well as government agencies and educational entities.

“We exist to serve the aviation manufacturing industry,” says Tracee Friess, who oversees marketing and communication for NIAR. An industry advisory council – which represents major manufacturers Boeing, Bombardier/Learjet, Cessna Aircraft, Hawker Beechcraft and Spirit AeroSystems – helps steer the direction of NIAR’s research.

“They provide valuable feedback and give us recommendations as to what areas we need to focus on and the types of equipment we need to invest in,” Friess says.

And with 135,000 square feet of laboratory space, NIAR’s research and testing capabilities are virtually unmatched. The institute is home to more than a dozen labs, specializing in such areas as advanced joining and

Student workers receive training in the advanced joining technology lab at the National Institute for Aviation Research in Wichita.

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A Kansas Address State is a major draw for corporate headquarters Story by Pamela Coyle Photography by Todd Bennett

What’s Online O Learn more about the Kansas advantage in drawing new jobs and investment at kansaseconomic development.com.

K

ansas is growing a lot more than grain.

The state is fertile ground for new and expanding corporate headquarters, major division operations and professional offices. Kansas has solid logistics, good schools, skilled workers and aggressive incentives that make it a hot destination for white-collar projects.

Consider this string of recent successes: Farmers Insurance has chosen Olathe for a new customer service operation and will add 600 new customer service workers and build a $25 million facility. And U.S. Bank tabbed Overland Park for a new service center that will spur at least $21 million in capital investment and create 1,100 jobs when fully staffed by 2013. The bank says the service center will be one of its largest in the United States.

Kiewit Power Constructors Co. & Kiewit Power Engineers Co. recently built and moved into a Fortune 500 firm CenturyLink is based in Overland Park.

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150,000-square-foot, five-story headquarters facility in Lenexa.

Sprint Nextel, CareCentrix, Inc., General Electric, Waddell & Reed, Capital One, Prescription Solutions and T-Mobile are among household names that share a Kansas address.

Overland Park and other spots in Johnson County are major magnets.

“It is one of most educated counties in the country,” says Barbara Hake, business recruitment manager for the Kansas Department of Commerce.

“It is very white-collar, there is very

little manufacturing and it is high on the radar screen for professional services, headquarters-type projects.”

Major new projects in Overland Park include a campus for Black & Veatch, a global titan in engineering, consulting and construction. The company is adding 250,000 square feet to its world headquarters for a potential total of 850,000 square feet and a workforce topping 3,400.

J.P. Morgan Retirement Plan Services signed a 10-year lease in December 2009 for a new

headquarters in Overland Park, a deal that will create 800 jobs and at least $30 million in capital investment.

The move to the 175,000-square-foot facility is scheduled for early 2011.

Lenexa, also in Johnson County, is another top destination. NCO Group Inc., a global business outsourcer, expanded its call center there in 2009, generating $4 million in new capital investment and plans for another 725 employees in 2010.

The metro area has about 2 million people, and “there is a great

MAJOR PRIVATE-SECTOR NONMANUFACTURING EMPLOYERS Company

Number of employers

Industry

10,005

Telecommunications

CenturyLink

3,800

Telecommunications

Black & Veatch

3,200

Construction & Engineering Services

Farmers Insurance Group

3,000

Insurance Claims Center

Blue Cross and Blue Shield

2,890

Insurance

YRC Worldwide

2,200

Trucking

Jostens

1,200

Printing & Publishing

Sprint/Nextel

FORTUNE 1000 COMPANIES BASED IN KANSAS Rank

Company

Revenue

Location

Sprint Nextel

$35.64 billion

Overland Park

293

YRC Worldwide

$8.94 billion

Overland Park

405

CenturyLink

$6.12 billion

Overland Park

531

Seaboard

$4.27 billion

Shawnee Mission

620

Collective Brands

$3.44 billion

Topeka

824

Ferrellgas Partner

$2.29 billion

Overland Park

952

Westar Energy

$1.84 billion

Topeka

64

MORE AT KANSASECONOMICDEVELOPMENT.COM

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Wichita is a major center of commerce and the undisputed aviation capital of the world.

The city ranked No. 2 on Forbes magazine’s list of Best Cities for Jobs in 2008.

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J. KYLE KEENER

U.S. Bank picked Olathe for a new datacenter. Wichita’s Coleman is a household name in outdoors products.

infrastructure, so people can move around easily,” Hake says. “You can get anywhere in the Kansas City metro area in 20 to 30 minutes.”

That’s one of the reasons Coleman Co. Inc., the Wichita-based camping and outdoors gear giant, picked Gardner for a huge new warehouse and distribution facility that opened in December 2009. The $43 million facility is 2.5 miles outside Kansas City in the Midwest Commerce Center and will benefit from an intermodal railway facility in the works.

“We found that we had shipments going to Kansas City and then coming

back through Kansas City,” says JoAnn Adams, Coleman’s senior vice president for global human resources.

“Distribution becomes more efficient.”

The project created in excess of 100 jobs, which helped Kansas top 9,100 in new and retained jobs for the year ending June 30, 2009.

Sports Associated Inc. and its affiliated firms brought another 100 or so jobs when the specialty transportation company moved from Missouri in May 2009. CEO George Hersh grew up in Kansas City, Kan., and was working with Kansas Department of Commerce officials

to buy one old warehouse when another property he was watching dropped in price. “We bought it in May and moved in May,” he says.

SAI handles transportation, warehousing and trade shows for power sport vehicles, electronic equipment suppliers and other sectors that need customized transportation.

Kansas came up with an incentive package that included a forgivable loan, workforce training, tax credits and sales tax exemptions.

“They were all great,” Hersh says of state and local officials. “They made it easy for me to make a decision.”

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Growing Global Diverse economy makes Kansas an export leader

Story by Pamela Coyle • Photography by Todd Bennett

F

rom aircraft and cereals to meat and machinery, Kansas is selling more goods to more countries, posting its fourth straight all-time high in 2008, with $12.5 billion in exports.

General aviation remains the state’s biggest industry and its largest source of exports.

Wichita produces 50 percent of general aviation aircraft in the United States and 40 percent of the global supply.

Industrial machinery, cereals and electrical machinery are next in size, and total exports from Kansas have

nearly tripled since 1999, though the state is not resting on its traditional products or markets.

India and Brazil are emerging as strong buyers, further diversifying a lineup topped by Canada, Mexico, Japan and Germany.

The Kansas Department of Commerce operates trade offices in Beijing, Mexico City and Tokyo and contract representatives in several other countries. State leaders will go where the business is, and in October 2009, Gov. Mark Parkinson and top Commerce Department officials made two separate trips to Asia, including

$346M $380M $2B $624M

$1.2B

MAJOR KANSAS EXPORT MARKETS United Kingdom Canada Mexico Japan Germany SOURCE: Kansas Department of Commerce

Vortex Valves in Salina increased exports nearly 150 percent in a three-year period.

MORE AT KANSASECONOMICDEVELOPMENT.COM

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A worker checks a valve before it’s shipped from Vortex Valves in Salina. Right: Vortex, winner of the Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award in 2008, makes gates and valves used by global customers in such industries as flour milling, plastics and petrochemicals.

China’s Henan Province, a long-time “sister state” of Kansas and buyer of Kansas goods.

At home, Kansas spotlights one exporter each year for the Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award. Winners are strong international marketers and solid neighbors at home.

Vortex Valves, based in Salina, won the award in 2008. The company makes material handling valves and increased its export sales by 148 percent from 2004 to 2007.

“Our core industries around the world are flour milling, plastics, petrochemicals and minerals,” says Russ Barragree, the company’s marketing director.

Vortex’s gates and valves are used to produce everything from Pringles potato chips to solid rocket fuel and handle hundreds of materials in

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powder, dust, granule, pellet and aggregate form. The company’s customers include original equipment manufacturers, Fortune 500 outfits and process engineering firms. Export destinations include Italy, Greece, Poland, Spain, Ireland, Scotland, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela.

Vortex, which is privately owned, opened an office in Shanghai in May 2009 that serves countries in the Pacific region, including China, Australia and New Zealand.

Cereal Ingredients Inc. won the export award in 2009. The company makes food particulates that add flavor, color and texture to baked goods, cereals, ice cream, crunches and toppings. Its latest line, Nutri-Bites, is used in high-nutrition food bars.

Exports increased 76 percent between 2005 and 2008, and Cereal

Ingredients in late 2009 added Indonesia as its 19th export destination, says Kim Bledsoe, executive assistant to Chief Executive Officer Robert Hatch, who founded the company in Missouri in 1990.

Cereal Ingredients moved to Kansas, where it built and opened a new plant and headquarters in 2005.

Two years later, it bought a 40,000-square-foot building next door in the Leavenworth Industrial Park, doubling its space.

“We grew so fast we didn’t have time to build,” Bledsoe says.

Exports make up about 30 percent of the company’s business, though domestic and foreign sales continue to grow. Cereal Ingredients typically customizes products for its customers and has its own research and development lab in Leavenworth.

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2008 KANSAS EXPORT TOTALS Products

Value

Total value

$12.5 billion

1. Aircraft, Spacecraft and Parts

$4.0 billion

2. Industrial Machinery

$1.5 billion

3. Cereals

$1.2 billion

4. Electrical Machinery

$800 million

5. Vehicles and Parts

$594 million

SOURCE: Kansas Department of Commerce

MORE AT KANSASECONOMICDEVELOPMENT.COM

The annual award winners may not need it, but the Kansas Department of Commerce sponsors conferences and Web-based seminars to educate companies about the export business.

Kansas itself keeps one strategy at the top of its list. “Face to face contact is absolutely critical,” says John Watson, director of the Trade Development Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce.

“Any time we can help Kansas business leaders make direct contacts with foreign business leaders, we make a big world a little smaller.”

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Good Things in Small Places Rural Kansas plays a lead role in economic development

Story by Michaela Jackson

More Insight The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Opportunity is an initiative designed to serve communities of 5,000 or less and is a unique model nationally. Housed within the Kansas Department of Commerce, the office has four regional locations throughout Kansas, which allow staffers to maximize their time in the field and create a community-driven, bottoms-up approach to rural development in Kansas. For more, go to www.kansascommerce. com/RuralDevelopment.

A

ny way you slice it, McPherson is a small town.

With just 14,000 residents, the entire central Kansas community weighs in at barely more than half the population of Kansas State University in nearby Manhattan.

But a closer look reveals that small town does not equal small time. More than 50 businesses spanning at least a dozen industries make McPherson arguably one of the most industrialized communities in the country on a per-capita basis. The business roster includes national names like Hospira, CertainTeed, Ultrafab, Milacron Marketing, National Cooperative Refinery Association and Johns Manville, companies producing everything from hospital supplies to frozen food products.

“A lot of states talk about rural development, but not all of them have industries in those areas that really have potential,” says Joe Monaco, public information officer for the Kansas Department of Commerce.

“But Kansas does.”

A slew of community readiness and economic development programs such as Kansas Main Street, which emphasizes downtown redevelopment, the Office of

Rural Opportunity, which caters to communities of 5,000 or fewer, and Kansas PRIDE, which focuses on targeted community improvement, form a network of resources that give rural Kansas towns a leg up.

A steady tide of success stories proves that the efforts are not in vain.

In Junction City, population 18,000, a veritable bioscience hub has taken root.

In the last three years, the city has lured three big-time players in the industry: pharmaceuticals firm Ventria Bioscience, renewable fuels producer Edenspace and medical reference system developer Lead Horse Technologies.

A biotech park is currently in development, and that project, along with aggressive capital incentives, make Junction City a top-notch location for budding bioscience firms.

“We thought, ‘OK, we’re coming into a nice, sleepy little Midwest town,’” says Ramie Leibnitz, president of Lead Horse Technologies.

“And in fact, we have been embraced and supported and cheered on every step of the way ... and it’s been wonderful.”

A medical reference system developer, Lead Horse relocated from Colorado in part because of a generous economic

The C.L. Hoover Opera House in Junction City, one of Kansas’ many rural success stories. PHOTO BY JEFF ADKINS

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S TA F F P H O T O

JEFF ADKINS

JEFF ADKINS

What’s Onlinee Read more about initiatives that boost investment in rural Kansas at kansaseconomicdevelopment.com.

Junction City McPherson

ANTONY BOSHIER

Newton

development incentive package.

The identification and cultivation of economic development assets in rural communities, such as McPherson’s knack for large-scale manufacturing, is what makes Kansas unique, Monaco says.

One of the most promising sectors on the rural Kansas horizon is the rapidly growing wind energy field. In May 2009, Siemens Energy, a global leader in wind turbine production, announced it would build its first U.S.-based turbine nacelle production facility in Hutchinson.

“When you look at Kansas, especially when you look at renewable energy and wind energy, there is incredible potential to not only rejuvenate, but also to spur growth in rural communities,” Monaco says. “It really is the most high-potential growth industry for rural Kansas right now in a lot of ways.”

In 2008, Park Aircraft Technologies Corp. chose Newton, a small community 20 miles north of Wichita, as the site for a 50,000-square-foot advanced composite materials facility. The company has the potential to tap into the skilled aviation workforce and infrastructure in Wichita, but also benefit from the cost and quality-of-life benefits of a smaller suburb.

The small communities of Kansas are not putting all their eggs in one basket. They’re inviting visitors to stop by the farms and pick up a few eggs of their own.

Agritourism is a focal point of Kansas’ rural economic development strategy, giving farms another revenue opportunity and tourism backers more attractions to promote. Just one example is the state’s blossoming wine industry, which now numbers 19 wineries.

A companion program, Simply Kansas, encourages Kansans to buy locally produced products. At SimplyKansas.com, visitors can browse listings of Kansas goods and even place orders directly.

“It might be hayrides, pumpkin picking or apple cider tasting,” Monaco says. “You name it, but it’s anything that will allow a farmer to expand his or her business to bring in tourists and supplement their income.”

Rural Kansas communities have created vibrant and diverse industry sectors, from agriculture to renewable energy to high tech.

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Opportunity from Tragedy AFTER A DEVASTATING TORNADO, GREENSBURG DEDICATES ITSELF TO A GREEN RECOVERY When May 4, 2007, dawned, Greensburg was a typical Kansas community. Just 24 hours later, 95 percent of the town was gone.

A powerful tornado leveled the community and left residents at a life-changing crossroads: was rebuilding an entire town worth the effort?

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A small group of local business owners assembled the largest group they could muster from Greensburg’s roughly 115 businesses, along with local officials, citizens and state and federal recovery workers.

“At that meeting, 66 of the businesses said they wanted to come back in some way or fashion,” says

Mike Estes, a leader in Greensburg’s economic recovery, whose family company, BTI Greensburg, owns the local John Deere Dealership. “So we set about laying out plans as to how we were going to get that economic recovery going.”

With a clean slate before them, leaders of Greensburg decided

the circumstances gave them a unique opportunity to rebuild their community according to its name: it was time to go green in Greensburg.

The city and county committed to rebuilding all of their facilities according to the LEED Platinum and Gold standards, the two highest certification levels established by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The City of Greensburg is also partnering with John Deere Renewables and the Kansas Power Pool to build

a wind farm of 10 1.25-megawatt turbines that will allow the city to run solely on renewable energy.

“Were we in the wrong place at the wrong time? Well, maybe we were in the right place at the right time,” Estes says. “A tornado made us see the opportunity.”

It’s Greensburg is being rebuilt as a ‘green’ community. The new 5.4.7 Arts Center includes such sustainable features as solar panels and wind turbines.

?fd\ to Me

What’s Onlinee See video of how a town rebuilt itself into a green community following a devastating tornado at kansaseconomicdevelopment.com.

A community willing to work with you.

A growing business climate.

An industrial park with open choices.

Calling all site selectors!

We are looking to fill our industrial park lots.

PHOTOS BY JEFF ADKINS

CITY OF ANDOVER 909 N. Andover Rd. Andover, KS 67002 (316) 733-1303 Ext. 226 (316) 733-4634 Fax scoelho@andoverks.com

Visit us at www.andoverks.com State incentives/local incentives

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Opportunity Knocks Innovative Kansas program helps small communities prosper Story by Michaela Jackson Photography by Todd Bennett

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t the Office of Rural Opportunity in Kansas, size definitely matters. The smaller the better.

In fact, this unique economic development resource – the only one of its kind in the nation – is exclusively for communities with fewer than 5,000 people.

“The Office of Rural Opportunity is a connector,” says Carol Meyer, the Southwest Region representative for the ORO. “It’s a connector to other programs, not only to the Kansas Department of Commerce programs, but to other programs that might be out there, and to information and expertise.”

While many rural development organizations take a financial approach to luring industry to rural communities, the Office of Rural Opportunity focuses on community development first and foremost, making sure that towns are whole, healthy and ready before they begin recruiting jobs.

Infrastructure development, health-care improvement and housing availability are the kinds of issues that the Cindy Boller, left, and Georgia Mann opened Destination Kitchen, a combination store, restaurant and gourmet food shop, in Norton in 2008 after they attended a Kansas Main Street conference.

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The Kansas Office of Rural Opportunity provides a range of resources and expertise to communities such as Norton.

What’s Online O Learn more about growth opportunities in Kansas rural communities at kansaseconomic development.com.

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office helps communities address. The state is covered by Offices of Rural Opportunity in four regions, so communities get highly personalized attention.

“All the resources don’t fit all the communities, so telling them about all of them probably isn’t going to do any good,” Meyer says. “Finding out what they need assistance with, or what they’d really like to get done and then connecting them with the resources is more valuable then just handing them phone numbers and programs.”

In Scott County, a new jail and a new law enforcement center, an expanded library and plans for a new 25-bed hospital are the result of focused cooperation between various agencies throughout the county.

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Scott and Greeley counties, each in Meyer’s 28-county Office of Rural Opportunity region, were selected as two of nine E-Communities, a competitive statewide program that allows communities to use tax credits for entrepreneurial endeavors.

Greeley County is also restoring a historic theater with a grant through the Small Communities Improvement Program, which helps fund projects that are completed with 40 percent volunteer labor in communities of 5,000 people or less. The community has also established innovative programs for youth involvement and built a solid reputation for its health-care services.

Meade County recently joined the Public Square Program, which helps communities

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Destination Kitchen was born from the entrepreneur owners’ passion for food and cooking.

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foster collective discussions about problems and their solutions within the community. The county is also home to an investor park, and in the last year, community leaders have begun looking in earnest at what it will take to attract corporate tenants and create jobs for the county.

Entrepreneurship is a major emphasis of Kansas’ community readiness programs, and nowhere is the fruit of those efforts more clearly seen than inside Destination Kitchen in Norton.

Cindy Boller and Georgia Mann, owners of the specialty shop that draws customers from a 90-mile radius, opened their doors in October 2008 after a Kansas Main Street conference encouraged them to attend a small business boot camp in Colorado.

Playing on the owners’ passion for cooking and food, Destination Kitchen is a combination retail store, restaurant and gourmet food shop that has quickly turned into a regional attraction. “People were anxious for something like this and really looked forward to us opening,” says Mann. “We have been greatly supported by our community and the surrounding area.”

Norton County

Scott County

Meade County

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Into the Great Wide Open Natural beauty, history, culture shape the Kansas experience

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Big Business A 2006 economic impact study found tourism expenditures in Kansas totaling more than $7.2 billion from more than 32 million business and leisure travelers. More than 50 percent of tourism visits came from people outside the state. The study found more than 128,000 direct and indirect jobs in Kansas were associated with tourism and travel economic activity.

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Story by Amy Stumpfl Photography by Jeff Adkins

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ver the years, visitors to Kansas have come to expect the unexpected. Sure, there’s plenty of wide open plains and frontier fun in the Sunflower State.

But the uncommonly distinctive landscape holds a few surprises, too.

“One of the things we hear from first-time visitors is that they are surprised by the terrain,” says Richard Smalley, marketing manager for the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Travel & Tourism Division. “They assume it’s all going to be flat, high plains. But, of course, that’s not the case.”

In fact, the state is home to several significant geological formations, including vast deposits of limestone and chalk.

Monument Rocks and Castle Rock are both chalk formations, while the Gypsum Hills in south-central Kansas feature breathtaking views of buttes and mesas.

And the Kansas Underground Salt Museum invites tourists to journey 650 feet below the Earth’s surface to see salt deposits created millions of years ago.

The Flint Hills National Scenic Byway and the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve are two of the state’s most popular tourist destinations.

The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is home to the largest remaining area of tallgrass prairie in North America. “But it’s Clockwise from top: The entrance to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Strong City; Chip Ferguson tends bar at the Long Branch Saloon at the Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City. A one-room schoolhouse at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve; Wyatt Earp’s legend lives on in Dodge City.

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more than just a unique ecosystem,” Smalley says. “The Flint Hills area is an important part of our history and culture.

The historic forts and cattle towns, the Santa Fe Trail, the Pony Express – all of these things are part of our story.”

The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center honors another important chapter in American history – the Space Race. Founded in 1962 as the Hutchinson Planetarium, the Cosmosphere is one of the world’s most comprehensive space museums, attracting approximately 150,000 visitors each year.

The museum boasts the largest collection of U.S. space artifacts outside the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., as well as the largest collection of Russian artifacts outside of Moscow.

In addition, the Cosmosphere offers a wide range of camps and educational programs.

“We have about 30,000 school children visit the Cosmosphere each year through field trips,” says Christopher Orwoll, president and CEO. “And we have camp programs available for students starting in elementary school on up through high school.

We even have programs for adults and seniors.”

The museum’s Intergenerational Camp, for example,

allows grandparents to experience space training with their grandchildren, where they can build robots and rockets and log time in simulators.

This type of family-friendly programming is typical of the Kansas experience, Smalley says.

Major chapters of U.S. history are woven into the history of Kansas. The state played a key role in the War Between the States, and Kansas forts helped protect the frontier.

The U.S. Cavalry Museum at Fort Riley includes exhibits of cavalry activities from their early beginnings in the Revolutionary War to their modern deployment in the Persian Gulf.

Cattle drives and cowboys are part of the Kansas experience, and historic Dodge City, with attractions such as the Boot Hill Museum and the Dodge City Trail of Fame, gives visitors a flavor of the Old West’s wilder days.

“Whether you’re into sports and outdoor recreation or arts and history, you’ll find a number of sites that cater to families,” Smalley says. “The Kansas Museum of History in Topeka, the Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita, there are even working cattle ranches where you can experience hands-on a day in the life of a cowboy. There’s really something for everyone.”

The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson draws 150,000 visitors a year. PHOTO BY TODD BENNETT

IN GOOD COMPANY FROM BUFFALO BILL TO IKE, KANSANS STAND OUT Though born in Texas, Dwight D. Eisenhower, famous general and 34th U.S. president, called Kansas home. The Eisenhower Center in Abilene includes his presidential library and boyhood home.

Amelia Earhart disappeared without a trace, but the Atchinson native’s life can be discovered at the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, and some of her personal effects are on display at the Atchison County Historical Society Museum.

Laura Ingalls Wilder, who wrote the Little House on the Prairie books, lived in Independence as

a child. Independence was the site of the original Little House, and a cabin there re-creates her home.

Walter Chrysler was born in Wamego and grew up in Ellis. After a stint with General Motors, Chrysler took over an ailing car company and turned it into car colossus Chrysler Corp.

Famed cavalry scout and hunter William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody came to Kansas with his family in 1854. In Oakley, a 16-foot tall Buffalo Bill statue sits prominently on a hill outside of town to commemorate the famous frontiersman.

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Three industrial parks in south central Kansas offering buildings, land and infrastructure.

Supporting a strong industry base with companies such as: = Creekstone Premium Beef = GE – Jet Engine Services = Meadwest Vaco-Calmar = Morton Buildings = Newell-Rubbermaid Plus …

Skilled Workforce Quality Customized Training Access to Transportation Central Location

Give us a Call!

Serving Arkansas City, Winfield and Cowley County, Kansas

Cowley County Economic Development Partnership Kerri Falletti, CEcD, Director 22193 Tupper St., P.O. Box 832 Winfield, KS 67156 (620) 221-9951 www.cowleyfirst.com

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LIVING GREEN STARTS FROM THE GROUND UP. Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe. Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant. It's easy. That's living healthy and green.

Just call 866-730-green or visit www.epa.gov/radon

ANTONY BOSHIER

JEFF ADKINS

New Opportunity in a Vintage Business WINE MAKING TAKES ROOT IN KANSAS With its rich, fertile soil, it’s no surprise that Kansas is a top location for agriculture.

But along with its wheat and beef production, Kansas is cultivating a growing number of wineries, 19 in all, that together produce more than 50,000 gallons of wine each year.

Using locally grown grapes, berries and other fruits, Kansas winemakers are steadily building a reputation, garnering more than 300 international awards in recent years.

“Kansas wines have gone toe to toe with prominent wines across the country, so the quality is there,” says Norm Jennings, a third-generation winemaker and general manager of Smoky Hill Vineyards & Winery near Salina.

“The challenge is in getting the word out and reassuring people of the experience they’ll have.”

Key to that goal, says Jennings, is a commitment to education and customer service.

“Just as different flowers and plants thrive in different parts of the country, so do different types of grapes.

Most wine drinkers think in terms of chardonnay,

cabernet sauvignon and merlot, which don’t do well in our Midwest climate. But if we can have a conversation about the style of wine they enjoy – in other words, sweet or dry – people are usually happy to break open a bottle and try something new.”

Jennings also sees the emerging agritourism movement as having tremendous potential.

“For new wineries especially, it’s important to offer ongoing specials to keep people interested,” he says.

“We offer winemaker dinners and special events, such as a Christmas open house and murder mystery dinners.”

Of course, the winery also welcomes a number of private parties each year, including everything from corporate meetings to weddings. Kansas Wedding Plan magazine recently named Smoky Hill Vineyards as one of the state’s top five wedding locations.

“It’s all about the experience,” says Jennings, “the ability to provide the personal touch that is so often missing in our world today.”

Visit www.winesofkansas.com for a list of Kansas wineries.

– Amy Stumpfl

Smoky Hill Vineyards and Winery near Salina is one of 19 wineries in Kansas.

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A Perfect Match Kansas programs boost workforce development Story by Joe Monaco • Photography by Todd Bennett

Key Workforce Partners Kansas Department of Commerce – Workforce Development (State Administrator) State Workforce Board Local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIBs) Kansas Department of Labor Kansas Board of Regents – Technical Education Authority Kansas Department of Education

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n today’s complex global economy, a skilled and adaptable workforce is crucial to economic growth.

Recognizing this, Kansas business leaders continue to enhance the state’s workforce development system, titled KANSASWORKS, to ensure that Kansas businesses have access to a pool of skilled workers. In recent years, the KANSASWORKS system has emerged as one of the nation’s best – and those skilled workers continue to be a key reason businesses are choosing Kansas.

“Of all the factors that make Kansas an attractive business location, none is more important than our workforce,” says Caleb Asher, deputy secretary of workforce services for the Kansas Department of Commerce.

“Business executives constantly cite the work ethic, skill level and versatility of the workers here.”

The KANSASWORKS system’s goal is straightforward: to link businesses, job seekers and educational institutions to ensure that Kansas employers can find skilled workers. One such linkage is the system’s network of 25 workforce centers, where businesses can interview job seekers,

KANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

search applicant databases and explore training options, while job seekers can get resume-writing assistance, take online assessments or receive certifications.

In addition, KANSASWORKS integrates Kansas universities, community and technical colleges so they can tailor their curriculum to the needs of Kansas businesses. The result is a seamless network in which workers receive job-specific training that prepares them for jobs in Kansas.

A crucial tool in shaping curriculum to fit the needs of business is the Workforce Solutions Fund. Established in 2004, the WSF provides grants to Kansas post-secondary training institutions to respond to the training needs of the state’s critical industries.

In February 2010, Flint Hills Technical College was awarded $150,000 through the WSF to expand its industrial engineering technology program and prepare more students for careers in manufacturing. The award will help the college purchase hydraulic-pneumatic and automation equipment to provide students the chance to train on the same machines they’d encounter in the workforce. Other institutions to receive funding include Cloud County

JoLynn Ashmore leads an employee skills training session at a KANSASWORKS office in Hays.

Community College, Northeast Kansas Technical College and Hutchinson Community College, to name a few.

In addition to the Workforce Solutions Fund, the state offers businesses workforce training and retraining funds through the Kansas Industrial Training (KIT), Kansas Industrial Retraining (KIR) and Investments in Major Projects and Comprehensive Training (IMPACT) programs. These three incentives encourage dozens of corporate expansions and relocations in Kansas each year.

Recently, Kansas workforce officials have taken steps to streamline the KANSASWORKS system by eliminating program and staffing silos between various federal funding sources.

The goal is to provide seamless services for customers, increase responsiveness and reduce overhead costs associated with duplicative services. Officials have also condensed various online services into KANSASWORKS.com, the state’s official job-matching and career services site, creating a user-friendly, one-stop shop for job seekers and businesses.

While KANSASWORKS can help businesses and job seekers in nearly every industry, the system has increased its focus on the state’s

core sectors, including advanced manufacturing and aviation, biotechnology and green energy, which encompasses wind and solar technologies, as well as alternative fuels. These green efforts garnered even more momentum in January 2010, when Kansas was awarded a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to train Kansans for employment in green industries.

While the state is focusing on these key industries, officials continue to structure KANSASWORKS so that it can adapt to an ever-changing and unpredictable economy.

Asher says it would be short-sighted to create a system that addresses today’s business needs but won’t be able to adapt to tomorrow’s.

“If we expect our workers to be flexible, we need our KANSASWORKS system to be equally flexible,” Asher says. “What we’re doing now, through integration, improved online services and increased partnerships between business and training institutions, is creating a system that we can use for today’s key industries but that will be just as effective 10 years from now if our critical industries change. If we do it right, our workforce will be prepared for anything.”

For more information KANSASWORKS.com is the official labor exchange site of the State of Kansas and a highly utilized resource for posting and finding jobs in Kansas.

The site includes an array of information, links and listings for landing the perfect job, finding the perfect employee or researching an industry or workforce.

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Gallery

A windmill stands alone on the prairie along the Flint Hills Scenic Byway.

Photo by Jeff Adkins

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A memorial in stained glass at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson Photo by Todd Bennett

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The 322-foot Wichita Riverfront Pedestrian Bridge spans the Arkansas River.

Staff photo

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The Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2010.

Photo by Todd Bennett

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The Coronado Cross near Fort Dodge marks the spot where Spanish explorer Francisco Vazquez de Coronado is said to have crossed the Arkansas River (then known as the St. Peter and St. Paul River) in search of the fabled “cities of gold” in 1541. Photo by Jeff Adkins

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The sun sets over Greensburg’s new 5.4.7 Art Center, a building whose numerous sustainable features include three wind turbines and solar panels.

Photo by Jeff Adkins

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ANTONY BOSHIER

S TA F F P H O T O

JEFF ADKINS JEFF ADKINS

Education

Education

Schools of Thought Kansas universities are backbone of research, innovation Story by Kevin Litwin

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arth Hague likes to say that many students who graduate from Wichita State University have a diploma – and a resume. Hague, Wichita State’s associate vice president for public relations, points out that the university has the largest cooperative education program in Kansas, with more than half its students participating.

What makes it even more advantageous is that the university is located near many top employers in the Wichita area, including its renowned cluster of aviation and aerospace companies. “Some WSU students even co-op with NASA. Imagine working part time at NASA while going to college – think of the career opportunities Clockwise from top: The University of Kansas in Lawrence.

The Ablah Library at Wichita State University. Anderson Hall, the administration building at Kansas State University in Manhattan. On the move at KU.

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Kansas colleges and universities are key components in producing a skilled workforce that attracts new investment and high-paying jobs.

PHOTOS BY JEFF ADKINS

you’d have once you graduate,” Hague says.

With seven major universities including Wichita State, Kansas State University and the University of Kansas, and 26 technical and community colleges creating a deep pool of highly skilled graduates, companies doing business in the state or considering it have a major advantage.

At Kansas State University, a world-renowned animal health and agricultural sciences program attracts hundreds of students each year, providing highly trained recruits for the state’s booming Animal Health Corridor.

Kansas State’s agriculture curriculum dates to the 1860s, and today, the Animal Sciences & Industry Department manages 6,500 acres for research purposes, close to the university’s main campus in Manhattan. In a typical year,

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Percentage of Kansans with a high school diploma, among the highest rates in the nation

Rank of Kansas among states for percentage of adults with college degree

Percentage of State General Funds in Kanas that are devoted to education

Rank of Kansas among states for average score on ACT

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S TA F F P H O T O JEFF ADKINS

the department’s research and teaching facilities accommodate 3,000 cattle, 3,500 swine, 1,500 laying hens, 250 sheep and 45 horses.

Construction began in 2009 on the $28 million Kansas State Olathe Innovation Campus, which will house office and lab space for research, education and technology commercialization and become the home for the National Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety when it opens by early 2011. The university also offers major programs in aeronautics, bioscience, energy research, engineering and environmental studies.

The University of Kansas in Lawrence has one of the nation’s top-ranked schools of pharmacy. Students who earn an advanced pharmacy degree are virtually guaranteed to earn a starting salary in excess of $100,000 a year.

“One of the pharmacists who taught here at KU helped develop timed-release capsules, while one of our alums helped develop insulin,” says Lynn Bretz,

TODD BENNET T

Clockwise from above: On the campus at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Hale Library at Kansas State University. A statue of Thomas Jefferson at Wichita State University

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KU’s director of communications.

Valentino Stella, a pharmaceutical chemistry professor at the university, holds 34 drug patents, including eight for anti-cancer drugs that have been produced by the American Cancer Institute.

In 2009, Forbes magazine named KU as one of the Top 10 IQ Campuses in the United States for trailblazing research. Bretz says the university is also proud of many other accomplishments, including the fact

that it offers 38 languages of study.

“Our public affairs curriculum is perennially No. 1 in the country, and so is our special education teaching curriculum,” she says.

“And perhaps surprising to many people, we are strong in paleontology. Newt Gingrich spoke on campus in 2009 and happened to visit our Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, then Twittered that he believed KU has one of the top paleontology collections in the world. He’s correct – we do.”

Public universities in Kansas University of Kansas www.ku.edu Enrollment: 26,000 Kansas State University www.k-state.edu Enrollment: 22,000 Wichita State University www.wichita.edu Enrollment: 15,000 Washburn University * www.washburn.edu Enrollment: 6,200 Pittsburg State University www.pittstate.edu Enrollment: 6,000 Emporia State University www.emporia.edu Enrollment: 5,900 Ft. Hays State University www.fhsu.edu Enrollment: 12,000

Jeff Adkins

* Municipal university

Kansas ranks 16th among states for adults with college degrees.

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Green with Opportunity $6M FEDERAL GRANT STIMULATES EMERGING ENERGY JOBS Kansas has been awarded a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to train Kansans for employment in green industries.

The State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grant – as authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – is designed to teach skills needed in emerging green industries, including energy

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efficiency and renewable energy.

The grant will focus primarily on the green industries of renewable energy operation and construction; renewable energy manufacturing and supply chain; energy transmission; biomass; and green construction/ manufacturing. Through the grant, program participants will receive the technical and occupational skills needed to obtain industry-recognized

credentials. Specifically, the grant will allow Kansas workforce partners to: ● Create an integrated system of education, training and support services that promotes skill attainment and career pathway development for low-income, low-skilled workers leading to green industry employment. ● Support implementation of a statewide energy sector strategy, including the governor’s overall workforce visions, state energy policies and training activities that lead to employment in targeted industry sectors. ● Build and strengthen partnerships dedicated to building a skilled clean energy workforce. ● Partner with other agencies receiving Recovery Act funds to support planning and implementation.

“This grant will help Kansans re-train for new jobs in the renewable energy sector,” said Gov. Mark Parkinson. “With these new resources, made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Kansas will continue its role as a leader in renewable energy, with a ready and skilled workforce.”

Kansas’ grant application was shaped by the State Energy Sector Partnership, which was convened by Gov. Parkinson and comprises the KANSASWORKS State Board; Local Workforce Investment Boards; KCC; energy and utility representatives; labor organizations; Kansas Apprenticeship Program; The Land Institute; KBOR; Veterans Programs; Kansas economic development agencies; and the Kansas departments of Labor, Corrections and Commerce.

DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT ... see it for yourself VIDEO >>

What makes Kansas such a favorable place to do business? What is it about the livability of Kansas that makes people who move there to work decide to stay for the long term?

Kansas Economic Development Guide shows you Kansas like you’ve never seen it before, thanks to the work of our award-winning photographers and writers.

Experience the vitality and charm of Kansas from the comfort of your computer.

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wKREDA

western Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance Welcome Home to Western Kansas ...

Where Life Works

Special Advertising Section

PHOTOS BY TODD BENNETT

Welcome Home to we s tern Kans as ... Where Life Wo rk s !

Special Advertising Section

wKREDA

Coming Together as One wKREDA’s communal effort builds business success in 46-county region

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rying to get a single, unified voice out of a 54-county region is no easy feat, but that was the challenge in 1994. Sixteen years later, the visionary founders of what would become the western Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance can look back on an organization that continues to transform the landscape for its members.

The goal was simple: Create an entity that could address the economic development concerns of roughly half the state. While the communities and counties were many, the problems were all the same — loss of young people to more populated areas, stagnant local economies and little influx of new residents and businesses. The thought was that by pulling together, major issues could be tackled on behalf of the entire

region, says Steve Miller, senior manager of special projects for Sunflower Electric and a founding member.

“I was spending a lot of time on economic development, calling on various chambers and development people across the western half of Kansas, and it dawned on me that they all had the same problems,” Miller recalls. “Most of the assistance we had access to was more logically available to larger places, so we got together and said if we could group our resources, we could market ourselves with a lot of passion. That’s what drove us then, and what does so now.”

Since those early days, wKREDA has grown to encompass ongoing education programs for its members, an annual trip to the state capital to ensure that its members’ voices are heard and multiple

trade-show visitations around the country to put western Kansas in front of different business and industry groups that are deemed to be a good fit for the area. Successes include a major uptick in dairy production thanks to solid recruitment efforts, as well as a growing manufacturing and distribution sector.

A strong belief in the region’s future drove Carol Meyer, then the economic development director for the Garden City Chamber of Commerce and now a representative for the Kansas Office of Rural Opportunity, to jump on board in the early days.

“We knew we couldn’t compete with each other, but also knew that there would be some crossover where a marketing push might be geared toward one area, but would need another area’s help,” Meyer says.

“We always look hard at what industries match who we are and what we do well,” she says. “We want those that are growing, that fill a niche, to continue to expand here. We still have a lot of challenges, but we’ve been very successful.”

– Joe Morris This special section is published for western Kansas Economic Development Alliance by Journal Communications Inc.

For more information, contact: western Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance 301 W. 13th St. • Hays, KS 67601 (785) 533-2222 • www.discoverwesternkansas.com ©Copyright 2010 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080.

All rights reserved. No portion of this special advertising section may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

The 46 counties of western Kansas have banded together to promote economic development and the superior quality of life in their communities, such as Hays.

Special Advertising Section

On the cover: Wyatt Earp Boulevard in Dodge City, Kan. Photo by: Jeff Adkins

Welcome Home to we s tern Kans as ... Where Life Wo rk s !

A wKREDA initiative helps promote the numerous job opportunities in the region’s communities.

Making it Work wKREDA promotes job recruitment, retention for region

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y successfully recruiting and retaining different industries and businesses, the western Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance has been able to help grow the region’s workforce. The focus now is on finding and keeping good employees for those companies, which should spur even more growth and development going forward.

“Four years ago, we got together to talk about how all of our businesses needed employees to expand their businesses, and how we could help in that effort,” says Jeff Hofaker, director of Phillips County Economic Development and co-chair of wKREDA’s workforce initiative committee. “We began to talk about what we could to in terms of marketing our region not just for new businesses, but also toward recruitment of a new workforce.”

Those early discussions led to a workforce-initiative committee, which focused its efforts on a regional approach to recruiting, centered around a specialized Web site.

“It seemed the most reasonable way to put everything together in one very accessible place, where we could put a lot of information about our different communities in front of people,” Hofaker says.

A grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Workforce Investment Act helped fund creation and

maintenance of the site, www.westernksjobs.com, which lists jobs and serves as a hub for communities to link their sites to. A collaboration with KansasWorks that allowed spidering searches from there to include those of wKREDA’s Web site proved beneficial as well.

A plan to generate traffic on the site included outside marketing, such as billboards around the state, visits to career fairs and other targeted efforts above and beyond what wKREDA already was doing. The initiative also heightened the organization’s profile within its coverage area, which brought in more communities to the overall effort.

“We provided communities that didn’t have a full-time economic development person or office the help to develop a local Web site for jobs,” Hofaker says. “These local Web sites provided much-needed grassroots representation, but also engaged someone locally to enter the same data into our site.”

At the end of the day, Hofaker says, “The connections are being made. Thinking regionally and collaboratively, helping people find jobs, is happening. Residents of one county can search and find work 40 to 50 or more miles away, and still have the benefit of living in a rural area. This keeps people in our state, and provides them with options not afforded to them in other areas.”

Special Advertising Section

wKREDA

Milking Success in Dairy Revitalized industry showcases wKREDA’s successful marketing efforts

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“They had a lot of good programs that gave us a lot of help when we moved from Pennsylvania,” says Tom McCarty, who along with wife, Kathy, and their four sons relocated in 1999. “We had a lot of contact with wKREDA when we were looking at different locations in western Kansas and we met a lot of great people through them and also learned a lot about all the different counties.”

The McCartys are in Thomas County, about 14 miles east of Colby, where they operate McCarthy Dairy.

They also own and operate the Bird City Dairy, which they built and opened two years ago. They have around 6,500 head of cattle between the two operations.

They’ve made it a family affair, with three or their sons involved in their operations and a fourth running two dairies just south of Syracuse, Kan. “Where we’re from, the biggest problem was the lack of ability to grow,” McCarty says. “This part of the world gives you a lot of opportunity for that,

which leads to more efficiency.”

The effort is now helping dairies expand into full-scale production for cheese and other products.

Partnerships have been formed with local grain and beef operators, which are using dairy herds to expand their own operations.

Dairy University brings in national experts to talk about industry trends, giving local economic development officials not yet involved a chance to get into the game as well.

The initiatives have made a substantial positive impact, and the continued efforts should help a thriving old-and-new industry sector regain its historical place in the region.

“Agriculture back east is dying because it’s a numbers game and you just can’t create the level you need to operate successfully,” McCarty says.

“That’s not the case here, and they are very smart to show off western Kansas as a good place for dairies.”

ANTONY BOSHIER

evitalizing the dairy industry was an early mandate for the western Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance and its members, and those efforts have been remarkably successful.

While dairy farming and production had been strong in the region historically, many family farms had been sold off or shuttered in recent decades. But everything that made western Kansas good for dairy production – land, cost of living, climate – was still intact, and just needed a little promotional push.

Enter the western Kanas Rural Economic Development Alliance, and its traveling road show that put Kansas dairy land in front of farmers from coast to coast. Families from California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and other states pulled up stakes to come to a region with plenty of room, not only to set up a farm, but to expand in just about any direction.

Special Advertising Section

Welcome Home to we s tern Kans as ... Where Life Wo rk s !

Built to Last

Manufacturers, distributors find many reasons to call western Kansas home

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fforts to promote western Kansas as a manufacturing and distribution hub continue to show positive results, thanks to the presence of Interstate 70, excellent road infrastructure, strong rail access and air connections to the entire region.

The growth of manufacturing in the region is a plus for those seeking jobs, and the western Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance has been working with both employers and employees to ensure a steady supply of qualified workers to companies looking to move into the area or expand their presence.

All this, plus a desire to come back to his hometown, led Charles “Chuck” Comeau to bring the distribution arm of DessinFournir, a manufacturer of customized furniture, lighting and textiles, to his Plainville-based headquarters in the 1990s. Comeau has kept his manufacturing arm in Los Angeles for a variety of reasons, but says that Plainville has been a great place to base the rest of his operations.

“I had been having trouble with a lot of employment and quality issues in California, and about that time a lot of local people here were unemployed because of the oil business going down,” Comeau says. “I had put an ad in the paper for someone to take care of my yard, and a gentleman came and said he wanted the job, and would do what it took to remain here because his family loved it in Plainville. He’s now one of our top executives.”

Finding people with solid leadership skills and the training necessary for the business helped Comeau eventually relocate most of his operations to western Kansas, everything from public relations and accounting to design, customer care and warehousing. And as he’s acquired other companies, he’s moved their operations to Plainville as well, and has grown his staff to about 85 people at the main operations center and about 120 total around the country.

“We have offices all over, but the

focus is here,” Comeau says. “We’re working with about 14 mills in nine countries, and also have a joint venture in Thailand, as well as work in Vietnam, India and Bangalore. All the textiles are imported to and distributed out of here, and we do all of our architectural lighting work here. We do tons of shipping, and have been able to work out a wonderful working relationship with FedEx. Our location, even though we’re not right on I-70, has never been an inhibiting factor.”

Comeau says based on his success, he sees strong growth for western Kansas as a manufacturing and shipping center, especially as state, regional and local incentive packages are put into place that allow for localized borrowing for startup and expansion.

“Everyone needs money to tap into, and that will greatly advance rural economic development,” he says. “But this is a great place to be. One of the biggest marketing coups I ever pulled was setting up shop in a small, rural area.”

Upscale furnishings company Dessin Fournir has found a home in western Kansas.

Special Advertising Section

wKREDA

Travis Ruff operates a gun dog training facility Hanston.

Modern-day Settlers Returning families prove you can go home again – and successfully

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hanks to family ties and a growing reputation for job opportunities, low cost of living and a great overall quality of life, western Kansas is seeing a whole new crop of settlers these days.

Take April and Arnie Teves. She grew up in Denver while he’s a native of rural California, but her grandfather and his family homesteaded in Logan and remained there over the years. Family reunions and vacations were spent there, and the seed was planted early on that this would be a good place to live, April says.

“When my grandmother moved to Denver, my husband said, ‘Let’s buy her house,’” she recalls. “He loves hunting and fishing, that small-town atmosphere, and I really enjoy that, too. We worked really hard to get ourselves out here, but since arriving in October 2009, we have been absolutely loving it.”

Arnie is a mechanic with 30 years’ experience, and was almost immediately offered a supervisory position at a NAPA store, while April was able to transfer her work-from-home job with little difficulty. She also began to explore opportunities in ministry, and a youth-oriented position in nearby Phillipsburg is looking like a good fit.

“A lot of doors have opened for us here, but we already knew some people from visiting over the years, and I have family here,” she says. “This part of Kansas really is an

undiscovered jewel, and our house payment is not even a tenth of what it was in Denver.”

Quality of life, solid schools and a hometown feel are what drew Travis and Katie Ruff back to Hanston, where Travis operates Professional Gun Dogs, a full-service training facility for pointing and retrieving breeds of hunting dogs. (www.progundog.com) The Ruffs note that access to high-speed Internet connectivity allows them to operate a business well beyond Hanston and for Katie to work remotely for a business in Dodge City and be at home with the couple’s children.

Sean and Monica Kats and their three children moved back to the region in mid-2009 to operate her family’s farm and be closer to family, but they discovered a whole new side to the Kansas they thought they already knew.

“We were able to find work through Prairie Land Electric, while also operating the farm,” says Sean. “Our working farm involves a cow-calf cattle operation and commodity crops, like wheat for grain, so it’s a real working farm.”

The Kats, too, say that the area’s quality of life just can’t be matched, and it’s a good place to live, work and raise a family.

“It’s certainly different than living in the city, but we really enjoy it here,” says Sean Kats. “We’re really glad that the farm brought us back.”

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Welcome Home to we s tern Kans as ... Where Life Wo rk s !

Cultivating Homegrown Talent Push to keep local youth down on the farm, and in the region, pays dividends

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economic development and networking specialist for Rural Telephone/Nex-Tech and wKREDA’s current president.

“We want to remind them of the hometowns and all there is available to them now that they may be married with children, and are looking at their current situation and realizing how great it would be to have grandma just down the street and knowing that their children will be getting a great education in the same classrooms they were taught in and how life is so much safer and enjoyable ‘back home.’”

The organization has been getting a boost in recent months from the national economic downturn, which has brought several natives back to formerly empty nests in search of employment, a better quality of life and lower-cost housing.

"All of these are available to them in their hometowns,” Alexander says.

“And, since they have lived there before, it is easier for them to relocate to a location that they are familiar with

and have great memories of.” wKREDA also is targeting alumni of high schools throughout western Kansas, promoting a "come home" theme through brochures inserted in alumni mailers. wKREDA members are also attending job and career fairs at most of the state’s universities and even reaching into neighboring Nebraska.

Cable television ads, billboards and other promotional material all dovetail into the ongoing job-recruitment efforts at www.westernksjobs.com, which itself has brought many Kansans back into the fold.

“The youth initiative and other related efforts to recruit and retain skilled workers for multiple industries in western Kansas is one that will be ongoing and ever evolving,” Alexander says. “And when a former student comes back home to work and raise a family, the community will embrace this young professional and welcome them with open arms.”

STAFF PHOTO

eeping and expanding a pool of qualified, well-trained workers is vital for any ongoing economic development plan, and the western Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance is working to ensure that young people are included in those efforts.

Through its jobs initiative and its work with local economic development organizations, wKREDA has been able to ramp up recruitment and retention throughout western Kansas. Now the word is getting out to high school and college students about the region’s opportunities, so that when they finish their studies they’ll go … right here.

"As counties in western Kansas witness declining population, we as wKREDA members have decided to focus on how to retain the current youth population in our territory, as well as try to recruit former members of our communities who have left home to attend college, explore the world and enter the workforce,” says Mendi Alexander,

Special Advertising Section

Energy/Technology

Renewed Energy Ethanol advances, oil and gas production fuel an industry Story by Kevin Litwin Photography by Todd Bennett

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ansas is an energy leader on a number of fronts. The state is fast becoming a wind-energy powerhouse and, with one of the largest deposits in the world, it is among the nation’s leading producers of natural gas, its 25,600 wells turning out 377.7 million Mcf of gas in 2008 alone. The state’s more than 45,000 oil wells accounted for 39.6 million barrels of production in 2008.

Playing on its long roots in agriculture,

Kansas has also developed a potent biofuels industry and is now ranked among the nation’s top five in ethanol production.

Ethanol is a biofuel additive for gasoline that goes into cars and trucks. Corn along with milo (sorghum) and cellulose are used in the biofuel’s beginning process. Kansas is the No. 7 producing state for corn, and No. 1 for milo.

Kansas producers turn out some 440 million gallons of ethanol a year. State

What’ss Onlinee Learn more about the energy and renewables industry in Kansas at kansaseconomic development.com.

The White Energy facility in Russell is one of a dozen ethanol production operations in Kansas.

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air-quality standards allow existing plants to produce a combined 520 million gallons of ethanol annually, says Corey Mohn, agribusiness development specialist with the Kansas Department of Commerce.

“We have 12 ethanol facilities in Kansas, plus a couple of small biodiesel plants that use soybeans or waste animal fat,” he says. “We are certainly one of the leaders in this industry.”

Kansas is also home to ICM Inc., headquartered in Colwich and considered the leading ethanol engineering and design company in the United States. The company works around the country getting ethanol plants up and running, and at maximum efficiency.

Mohn notes that the corn and milo

Average consumer natural gas prices Dollars per 1,000 cubic feet

Kansas Oklahoma

California New York

Illinois

Missouri

U.S. Average

$0

$3

$6

$9

$12

$15

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Kansas suppliers, such as Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy in Phillipsburg, produce some 440 million gallons of ethanol per year.

end product that doesn’t go into ethanol can be distributed as livestock feed. “There are certainly plenty of livestock head in Kansas,” he says.

“And with so many cattle in the state, the end product feed doesn’t have to be trucked long distances from the ethanol plants to the farms.”

The U.S. Department of Energy has approved several multimillion-dollar grants that allow companies to further research and develop the industry.

One current project involves developing an innovative biomass collection system. Another project is researching how cars can efficiently perform on ethanol fuel blends that are higher than the current 10 percent maximum.

“The ethanol industry in this country is only going to get larger and more advanced, and Kansas is going to remain in the forefront,” Mohn says. “This is where the grain is.”

“The ethanol industry in this country is only going to get larger and more advanced, and Kansas is going to remain in the forefront.”

KANSAS OIL PRODUCTION Year

Barrels

Wells

2004

33,878,472

41,920

2005

33,619,258

43,012

2006

35,668,804

43,923

2007

36,591,296

43,412

2008

39,581,656

45,105

Source: Kansas Geological Survey

MORE AT KANSASECONOMICDEVELOPMENT.COM

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Transportation

In the Middle of Everywhere Location, transportation network put Kansas in the sweet spot Story by Kevin Litwin Photography by Todd Bennett

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ts location in the heart of the nation and proximity to major markets makes Kansas an attractive logistics and distribution destination and allows companies to bring in raw materials and ship out finished products easily and efficiently.

Kansas is centrally located, providing next-day freight delivery to 70 percent of U.S. markets. Major east-west route Interstate 70 and north-south route I-35 cross in Kansas and connect with I-29, part of the NAFTA highway corridor linking the United States to Mexico and Canada. In addition, the state is served by Class I rail service.

Major airports in Kansas City, Mo., and Wichita offer service by national and regional carriers and are supported by eight regional airports that also offer commercial air service.

Facilities such as Syracuse-Hamilton

What’ss Onlinee Learn more about what moves the goods in Kansas at kansaseconomic development.com.

Class I rail service is a Kansas advantage.

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s s s Wichita Mid-Continent Airport is a full-service air carrier airport that serves as the primary hub for air travel in Kansas. Most major airlines operate out of Mid-Continent, offering worldwide travel capability and nearly 100 daily flights. Wichita’s renowned aerospace manufacturing industry is responsible for producing 70% of US general aviation aircraft.

By taking residence in Mid-Continent’s aerospace industrial campus, you’ll join world-class aviation tenants such as Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft, Bombardier/Learjet, Honeywell, Garmin, Rockwell Collins, Pratt & Whitney, and more. We have over 800 acres of land available for development for your company.

Mid-Continent is conveniently located 5.2 miles southwest of the central business district, bordered on the north by US Highway 54/400 and on the south by Highway K-42.

It also provides easy access to and from Interstate 235.

Supplementing Mid-Continent Airport is Colonel James Jabara Airport, a general aviation reliever airport for the Wichita metro area.

Located nine miles northeast of the central business district, Jabara Airport consists of 802 acres of which 208 acres are available for development.

s s s CONTACT: Victor D. White, A.A.E. Director of Airports Wichita Airport Authority E-mail: vwhite@wichita.gov 2173 Air Cargo Rd. Wichita, KS 67209 (316) 946-4700 (316) 946-4793 fax

www.flywichita.com

The Air Capital of the World s s s It’s where you belong

County Airport serve an important role in the state’s transportation network. Syracuse-Hamilton County is in a rural portion of the state, but the presence of an air facility offers a benefit to large companies that often insist on having their offices or plant near an airport.

“We are certainly in remote farm country, but are important to our area’s dairy industry, as well as corporations out here that grow and ship wheat, alfalfa, corn and milo,” says Steve Phillips, manager of SyracuseHamilton County Airport and president of the Kansas Association of Airports.

As for the overall state, Phillips says being in the heart of the nation and near major markets makes Kansas an attractive logistics and distribution destination.

“Wichita is already huge in aviation manufacturing and engineering, so it seems natural that a current goal of the Kansas Association of Airports is to evolve our statewide airport system into one of the best in the country,” he says.

“In the last couple of years, we have aggressively addressed many airport maintenance issues, and now we will make even more improvements to make this part of the transportation sector as strong as it can be.”

Transportation and logistics were key factors in a May 2009 announcement that Siemens Energy will build a wind turbine nacelle production plant in the state. Hutchinson

MARKETS WITHIN 500 MILES OF KANSAS Population

89.3 million (30.2% of U.S.)

Households

33.7 million (30.4%)

Buying Power

$1.6 trillion (29.5%)

Businesses

3.9 million (30.7%)

Total Sales

$5.3 trillion

Consumer Expenditures

$1.22 trillion (31.0%)

MORE AT KANSASECONOMICDEVELOPMENT.COM

BILLARD AIRPORT – Located northwest of the City of Topeka, close to downtown

METROPOLITAN TOPEKA AIRPORT AUTHORITY

THE TOPEKA AIR INDUSTRIAL PARK – Located at Forbes Field, approximately a mile from two warehouse distribution commerce parks developed by the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce – Approximately 250 acres of green space in various lot sizes – Adjustable lot size to accommodate specific development

FORBES AIRPORT – Located south of the city – Catering to military and large charter operations – Approximately 1,000 acres of land available for lease development, equally divided between air-side and land-side property CONTACT: Eric M. Johnson President/Director of Aviation METROPOLITAN TOPEKA AIRPORT AUTHORITY Forbes Field, Bldg. 620 P.O. Box 19053 Topeka, Kansas 66619 (785) 862-2362 ejohnson@mtaa-topeka.org www.mtaa-topeka.org

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was the city selected after an extensive search showed it offers a viable workforce and excellent transportation network, which includes Hutchinson Municipal Airport and an Arkansas River port.

“Large companies want to be located near airports, but the entire transportation in this state is impressive,” Phillips says. “Transportation is a key reason why Kansas will be making plenty of big news in the near future.”

Such a transportation network is vital in the wind industry because turbine parts are large, and shipping is

costly and complex. A central location puts manufacturers nearer to customers and can make shipping more efficient.

Construction on the wind energy site commenced in August 2009, with the first shipment scheduled to occur in December 2010.

“It speaks volumes about our prime transportation location in the nation’s wind corridor,” says Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson. “Kansas should be a national hub of both wind farms and the factories that manufacture turbine parts. It makes perfect sense.”

A network of commercial airports keeps people and business moving in Kansas.

KANSAS COMMERCIAL SERVICE AIRPORTS Dodge City Regional Airport

Hays Regional Airport

www.dodgecity.org/index.aspx?nid=60

www.haysusa.com/html/airport.html

Forbes Field (Topeka)

Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport

www.mtaa-topeka.org

www.cityofliberal.com/c_airport.htm

Garden City Regional Airport

Manhattan Regional Airport

www.fly2gck.com

www.flymhk.com

Goodland Municipal Airport

Salina Municipal Airport

www.goodlandks.us/

salinaairport.com

Great Bend Municipal Airport

Wichita Mid-Continent Airport

www.greatbendks.net/?nid=190

www.flywichita.org

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ANTONY BOSHIER

S TA F F P H O T O JEFF ADKINS

Livability

‘Anything You Could Want’ From east to west, the heart of America beats in Kansas Story by Claire Ratliff

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JEFF ADKINS

hrista and Jason Hines wanted to raise their family in a culturally diverse metropolitan area.

“We wanted to have plenty to do, see and learn without sacrificing a wholesome, family-friendly environment for our children,” Christa Hines says. “I think we’ve found that place.”

Growing up as a military brat, Hines had tasted life in five states and Germany before she and Jason moved to Olathe, a city of about 115,000 in northeastern Kansas.

“We love living in the Midwest. Eastern Kansas has its own unique charm,” she says.

“Most people assume Kansas is flat and boring, but the landscape is a bit unexpected with its rocky, hilly terrain and rough, bucolic beauty.”

Jason Hines enjoys the many sporting teams and events available nearby.

With two small children, Christa Hines is

What’ss Onlinee See what the Old West was like through a video tour of Dodge City at kansaseconomic development.com.

Kansas offers an abundance of arts, entertainment, culture, sports and outdoor recreation opportunities.

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JEFF ADKINS

Kansas communities have preserved and restored their historic downtowns.

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KANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

grateful for the accessibility of quality health care, strong public schools, a wide variety of attractions and events, and good neighbors.

“The people here are very warm and friendly,” she says. “I can’t tell you how many times I have had people ask me if I need help when I’m in parking lots trying to steer a full grocery cart with my sons in tow.”

Clay and Beth Belcher met in Chicago and lived in France before

Clay Belcher accepted a position at the University of Kansas. After 17 years of teaching, he decided to open a business and stay in Lawrence.

“The cost of living is pretty moderate,” Belcher says. “In general, Kansas is a pretty inexpensive place to live and do business.”

Clay’s Signs of Life bookstore and art gallery overlooks picturesque and historic Lawrence.

“This is a great town,” he says.

“We’ve raised a family here and we really enjoy it.”

The Belchers and their four children enjoy hiking, fishing and simply taking advantage of amenities such as nearby Clinton and Perry lakes and Perry State Park. Still, it’s the people that give the Belchers roots in Kansas.

“There are natural wonders all over the country, so you could make an argument for just about anywhere,” Belcher says. “It’s the personal

24

6

18

10

Number of state parks in Kansas

Number of national parks and historic sites

Average travel time in minutes for Kansas commuters

Kansas’ rank among states for lowest cost of living

KAN BUILD INC. UÊ Quality Built Modular Structures UÊ ià UÊ `ÕV>Ì > Ê >V Ì ià UÊ Õ Ì > ÞÊ*À iVÌà UÊ iÀV > Ê-ÌÀÕVÌÕÀià www.kanbuild.com

The Santa Fe Depot located in the center of town

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No Place Like Home It’s one of the most famous lines in movie history, and it’s also the premise of the Kansas Department of Commerce’s campaign to encourage young professionals to consider a life in Kansas. While the campaign promotes Kansas to a variety of audiences, it’s geared primarily toward recent Kansas graduates who’ve left the state to pursue a career but who might now be interested in returning home. “When it’s time to buy a home, start a family and settle in a community that offers a real quality of life, we want to remind these former Kansans that there’s no place like their home state,” says Caleb Asher, deputy secretary of workforce services for the Kansas Department of Commerce. An online hub at www.thinkkansas.com includes a cost-of-living calculator, links to Kansas job databases, video testimonials and social networking opportunities.

S TA F F P H O T O

relationships that make this our home.

The people are down to earth. That’s the main thing.”

A native of North Central Kansas, Leon Flax is a senior vice president at Fidelity State Bank & Trust Co. in Dodge City. He credits the foresight of community leaders for the economic strength of his city.

A dedicated 1 percent sales tax garners approximately $4 million annually for recreational purposes.

The area boasts baseball complexes, soccer facilities and a new, 6,000-seat special events center for hockey, concerts and rodeos. Within 25 miles, a reservoir is nearly complete, offering bountiful recreational opportunities.

A casino is scheduled to open soon.

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ALL TRAILS LEAD TO SUMNER COUNTY, KANSAS

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Center of the United States Wichita MSA TRANSPORTATION ADVANTAGES I-35, BNSF & UP Rail, Airport INCENTIVES AVAILABLE Enhanced Enterprise Zone Hub-Zone Designation

HIGHLY SKILLED WORKFORCE Midwest Work Ethic Aviation, Plastics, Composites, Communications, Wind, Wine HOMETOWNS WHERE YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO LIVE Small-Town Living Near Big City Amenities Low Crime Rate Great Schools

CONTACT: Sumner County Economic Development Commission s SCEDC CO SUMNER KS US WWW GOSUMNER COM

JEFF ADKINS

“Helping Your Business Is Our Business�

“There’s tremendous history here,�

Flax notes. “But we’re also very progressive.�

While many communities nationwide are struggling with high unemployment, Dodge City is actually seeking employees. Agriculture is strong and the city is home to two of the nation’s largest packing plants. “We’d love to show you what we’ve got,� Flax says. “Come look around.

We have diversity in weather, business and lifestyle. Anything you could want is right here in Kansas.�

From top: The Emporia Granada Theatre is a multipurpose facility capable of seating 800 people; young professionals are being drawn to Kansas in increasing numbers.

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Getting to Know Kansas Culture THE STATE IS RICH IN HISTORY, ARTS, MUSIC WICHITA ART MUSEUM

MARIANNA KISTLER BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

www.wichitaartmuseum.org Three centuries of painting, sculpture, works on paper and decorative arts are a part of the impressive collection of American art. The museum, the largest in Kansas, includes the nationally renowned Roland P. Murdock Collection, with masterworks by such renowned artists as Mary Cassatt, Arthur Dove, Grace Hartigan, Winslow Homer and Edward Hopper. A centerpiece of the museum is a spectacular 6,000-square-foot hall that features elegant glass works by internationally renowned artist Dale Chihuly.

beach.k-state.edu The museum in Manhattan houses Kansas State University’s permanent collection, which numbers more than 6,500 pieces featuring Kansas and Midwestern artists.

Housed in a 43,000-square-foot complex that was expanded in 2007, the museum draws more than 25,000 visitors each year.

NICODEMUS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE www.nps.gov/nico/index.htm Settled by former slaves fleeing the South in 1877, Nicodemus is the only remaining town west of the Mississippi River founded and settled by African Americans at the end of Reconstruction.

Now a National Historic Site, Nicodemus features five signature structures: A.M.E Church, First Baptist Church, Nicodemus School, Fletcher Hotel and Township Hall.

A visitor center in Township Hall includes orientation videos.

WALNUT VALLEY FESTIVAL AND NATIONAL FLATPICKING CHAMPIONSHIPS www.wvfest.com Each September, Winfield in southeastern Kansas is the epicenter of bluegrass and acoustic music. The five-day festival features dozens of renowned performers appearing on four separate stages and competitions in such events as the National Flat-Pick Guitar Championship, National Bluegrass Banjo Championship and National Mountain Dulcimer Championship.

In addition to the music, the festival features workshops, arts and crafts, camping, children’s events and food. The dates for the 2010 festival are Sept. 15-19.

S TA F F P H O T O

WILLIAM INGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS

The Wichita Center for the Arts

124

KANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

www.ingecenter.org Located at Independence Community College, the center is named after award-winning playwright and Kansas native William Inge. The center, which began year-round activities in 2002, includes a Playwrights in Residence program and a Playwrights-in-the-Schools program, a teaching residency that places accomplished playwrights in area schools to teach literary skills.

The center stages the annual four-day William Inge Festival, now in its 29th year, which includes seminars, workshops, lectures, readings of Inge’s works and showings of select film adaptations of his plays and original screenplays. The 2010 dates are April 21-24.

ECONOMIC PROFILE BUSINESS SNAPSHOT

POPULATION

Wichita is the aviation capital of the world, with 50 percent of domestic general aviation aircraft and 40 percent of global aircraft produced in the city. Northeast Kansas is home to the burgeoning Animal Health Corridor, with 40 percent of global animal health and veterinary science interests converged in the region.

2,802,134 2008

2,688,816 2000

Change: 4.2%

MAJOR POPULATION CENTERS Wichita 357,000 (MSA - 545,000) Overland Park 166,000 (MSA - 1.8 million) Kansas City, KS 147,000 (MSA - 1.7 million) Topeka 122,000 (MSA - 170,000)

HOUSING MARKET

LABOR FORCE

Median house or condo value (2007)

Nonagricultural employment

MAJOR EMPLOYERS

2008: 1,391,000

Spirit AeroSystems

10,300

$92,100

Sprint/Nextel

10,005

Topeka

2006: 1,353,800

$93,800

INCOME

Kansas City

Per Capita Personal Income (2007)

Cessna Aircraft

8,200

Hawker Beechcraft

5,300

CenturyLink

3,800

Black & Veatch

3,200

Cargill

3,200

Farmers Insurance Group

3,000

Blue Cross and Blue Shield 2,890 Garmin International

2,700

Schwan’s Global Supply Chain

2,700

Boeing Defense, Space & Security

2,500

Bombardier Learjet

2,250

2007: 1,379,800

$36,483

$111,000

Median Household Income (2007) $47,341

Wichita

$224,600

TRANSPORTATION

Overland Park

COMMERCIAL SERVICE AIRPORTS Dodge City Regional Airport www.dodgecity.org/index. aspx?nid=60

YRC Worldwide

2,200

$121,200

Koch Industries

1,800

Kansas

What’s Onlinee For more in-depth demographic, statistical and community information on Kansas Economic Development Guide, go to kansaseconomicdevelopment.com and click on Economic Profile.

Forbes Field (Topeka) www.mtaa-topeka.org Garden City Regional Airport www.fly2gck.com Goodland Municipal Airport www.goodlandks.us/

K A N S A S E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T. C O M

125

Great Bend Municipal Airport www.greatbendks.net/?nid=190 Hays Regional Airport www.haysusa.com/html/ airport.html Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport www.cityofliberal.com/c_airport.htm Manhattan Regional Airport www.flymhk.com Salina Municipal Airport salinaairport.com Wichita Mid-Continent Airport www.flywichita.org

HIGHWAYS Interstate 70 provides east-west access to major markets on both coasts. Interstate 35 runs north and northeast to the Kansas/ Missouri border. I-35 connects with I-135 in Wichita and runs south to north connecting Oklahoma with Nebraska. I-29 heads north from Kansas City,

and I-44 offers east-west, fourlane access close to communities in southeast Kansas. There are 65 intrastate contract carriers and more than 2,400 intrastate common carriers, 1,600 Kansas-based and nearly 2,900 interstate-exempt carriers licensed in Kansas.

MAJOR EMPLOYMENT SECTORS

RAILROAD (CLASS I)

15.2%

3.6% 3.6% 5.6%

Burlington Northern Santa Fe www.bnsf.com Kansas City Southern www.kcsouthern.com

12.8%

23.1%

14.2%

Norfolk Southern www.nscorp.com Services

Union Pacific www.up.com

WATER Access to 122 miles of the Missouri River along the northeast corner of the state. Kansas ports are at Atchison, Leavenworth and Kansas City.

Government Wholesale & Retail Trade Manufacturing Finance, insurance and real estate Construction Transportation and warehousing

MORE AT KANSASECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.COM

K A N S A S E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T. C O M

127

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advertisers Atchison County Economic Development Board www.growatchison.com

Junction City-Geary County Economic Development www.jcgced.com

City of Andover www.andoverks.com

Kansas Association of Community College Trustees www.kacct.org

City of Derby www.derbyweb.com City of Fort Scott www.fscity.org City of Independence www.independenceks.gov City of Liberal www.cityoďŹ&#x201A;iberal.com City of Osage City www.osagecity.com City of Parsons www.parsonsks.com

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City of Pittsburg

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CloudCorp/Cloud County www.cloudcorp.net Cowley First www.cowleyďŹ rst.com Dodge City Ford County Development Corporation www.dodgedev.org

Kansas Bioscience Authority www.kansasbioauthority.org Kansas Department of Commerce www.thinkbigks.com Kansas State University www.ksu.edu KCP&L www.kcpl.com Kingman County Economic Development Council www.kingmanks.com Lawrence Chamber of Commerce www.lawrencechamber.com Location One â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Real Estateâ&#x20AC;? www.locationone.com Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce www.pickmanhattan.com McPherson Industrial Development Company Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority www.mtaa-topeka.org

El Dorado Inc. www.360eldorado.com

Olathe Chamber of Commerce www.olathe.org

Ellis County Coalition of Economic Development www.haysamerica.net

Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce www.ottawakansas.org

Emporia Regional Development Association www.emporiarda.org

Overland Park Economic Development Council www.opedc.org

Emporia State University www.emporia.edu

Russell County Economic Development & Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitrussellcoks.com

Finney County Economic Development Corporation www.ďŹ coedc.com

Salina Area Chamber of Commerce www.salinakansas.org

Fort Hays State University www.fhsu.edu

Shawnee Economic Development Council www.shawnee-edc.com

Great Bend Chamber of Commerce for Economic Development www.greatbend.org

Sherman County Economic Development www.gogoodlandks.com

Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce www.topekachamber.org

Sumner County Economic Development Commission www.gosumner.com

Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition www.gwedc.org

The University of Kansas www.ku.edu

Harvey County Economic Development Council www.harveycoedc.org Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce www.hutchchamber.com

Washburn University www.washburn.edu Wichita Airport Authority www.ďŹ&#x201A;ywichita.com wKREDA www.discoverwesternkansas.com

COST OF LIVING COMPARISON

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87.1 Garden City

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90.8

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Hays

Make Clay County your next destination on the road to success!

94.4 Hutchinson

93.4

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Lawrence MSA

97.9

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Manhattan

88.4 Salina

89.6 Topeka MSA

100 U.S. Average

Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Composite Index Sources: www.city-data.com thinkbigks.com quickfacts.census.gov

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K A N S A S E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T. C O M

129

Ad Index 22 ATCHISON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD 73 CITY OF ANDOVER 86 CITY OF DERBY 54 CITY OF FORT SCOTT 46 CITY OF INDEPENDENCE 110 CITY OF LIBERAL 121 CITY OF OSAGE CITY 126 CITY OF PARSONS 98 CITY OF PITTSBURG 129 CLAY COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP

105 DODGE CITY FORD COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 15 EL DORADO INC. 128 ELLIS COUNTY COALITION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 6 EMPORIA REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION 102 EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY 10 FINNEY COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 60 FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY 66 GREAT BEND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

18 CLOUDCORP/CLOUD COUNTY 86 COWLEY FIRST

C2 GREATER TOPEKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Ad Index (cont.)

C3 GREATER WICHITA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COALITION

8 SHAWNEE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

16 HARVEY COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

38 SHERMAN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

108 HUTCHINSON/RENO COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 11 JUNCTION CITYGEARY COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 31 KANSAS ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUSTEES 36 KANSAS BIOSCIENCE AUTHORITY C4 KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 100 KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY 130 KCP&L 123 KINGMAN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 1 LAWRENCE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 12 MANHATTAN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 26 MCPHERSON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY 115 METROPOLITAN TOPEKA AIRPORT AUTHORITY 2 OLATHE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 116 OTTAWA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 28 OVERLAND PARK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 20 RUSSELL COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 127 SALINA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

123 SUMNER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION 4 THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS 104 WASHBURN UNIVERSITY 114 WICHITA AIRPORT AUTHORITY 14 WKREDA