Kansas Governor Laura Kelly wraps up her Prosperity on the Plains Tour

TOPEKA – As new private sector investment in Kansas since 2019 tops $14 billion, Governor Laura Kelly today wrapped up her statewide economic development tour. Along her tour, which kicked off in late July, the Governor highlighted efforts to attract new businesses to Kansas and to support existing businesses.

“These past few months I have met with business owners and community leaders in every corner of the state to discuss how we can build on that progress and ensure our economy works for every Kansan.” commented Governor Laura Kelly

The Kansas Department of Commerce, led by Lieutenant Governor David Toland, has closed 756 economic development projects totaling more than $14 billion in investment and creating and retaining over 51,000 jobs. This $14 billion of new investment is a direct result of private companies choosing to relocate to Kansas or to expand their existing footprint in the state.

Of the 756 total economic development projects that Commerce officials worked since 2019, successful projects have occurred in 83 out of 105 counties. In 2019 – the first year of the Kelly Administration – successful projects occurred in 43 counties, an increase from the 36 counties with successful projects in 2018.

“Governor Kelly’s strategic plan for economic development, the Kansas Framework for Growth, is paying great dividends for the economy and the hard-working people of Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Companies are flocking to Kansas and bringing new investment and new jobs with them. Kansas is at the top of its game and we aren’t going to stop.”

Along the tour, Governor Kelly also focused on the need to invest in quality-of-life issues like child care, housing, and health care to support and grow the Kansas workforce.