Kelly announces $20 Billion in private sector investment since 2019

TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly announced on Friday that since the start of her administration in 2019, Kansas has attracted more than $20 billion in committed private sector investment to the state. This historic milestone has resulted in commitments to create or retain nearly 70,000 jobs with 1,312 successful projects in 87 of Kansas’ 105 counties.

“My administration’s efforts to invest in all aspects that make Kansas the best place to live, work, and raise families has put our state back on top,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Our laser-sharp focus has resulted in thousands of successful projects across the entire state, bringing more jobs to Kansas than ever before. We have created a solid foundation to continue landing investments here in the Sunflower State, allowing Kansas to climb higher than ever before.”

The Kansas Framework for Growth, Kansas’ economic development strategic plan, has guided an intentional development of the state’s economy. The plan’s comprehensive focus on all factors impacting economic growth has been a novel and effective approach.

“Since 2019, we have continued to make huge strides in wage growth and job creation, and we’ve risen up the rankings for business investment per capita,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Today, more businesses than ever are looking at and choosing Kansas for their companies’ growth and expansion. This historic milestone is a testament to our ongoing momentum and dedication to serving Kansans and unlocking hidden potential all across our state.”

Of the successful projects landed in Kansas since the implementation of the Framework, approximately 90% align with the five target industry sectors identified in the plan. Strategic investments by the state in these sectors are driving growth and prosperity across Kansas.

“Tapping into the Midwestern work ethic and quality of people in Philipsburg was key,” Amber Wave Chief Operating Officer Steve Adams saidin reference to his company’s decision to build North America’s largest wheat protein plant in Phillips County. “It’s about creating opportunity everywhere and utilizing the Kansas strengths, which is what makes this facility and Amber Wave a natural fit. We are excited to be a part of the new future and growing out here in western Kansas.”

Businesses not only are looking for a site to serve their needs, but also for communities that their workforce can enjoy and put down roots in. Providing resources for housing development, broadband expansion, child care, arts, and other economic determinants of health that contribute to a dynamic quality of life has made Kansas more attractive and provided an advantage to landing businesses. Promoting the vitality, livability, and quality of these places has been essential to the momentum Kansas has already created and is necessary to continue the growth.

To further this goal, the Kansas Framework for Growth leverages four strategic pillars that power new opportunities across each of the sectors. These pillars focus on talent, innovation, community assets, and policy, which are critical to keep supporting the competitiveness and resilience of the target sectors and economic regions.

“In Kansas, we could not do the economic development we are doing without the quality-of-life issues being addressed, and it has been incredibly important for the state to help us focus on meeting those challenges that may be more difficult to do on the community level by themselves,” Dodge City and Ford County Development Executive Director Joann Knight said. “Quality of life is key to helping the state grow, and the partnerships that have been built between the Department of Commerce and local communities has helped make Kansas the most amazing place.”

The jobs associated with these economic development projects are contributing to the overall wage growth across the state. On average, the 69,706 jobs created and retained pay 7.7% more than the overall average private sector wage in Kansas. This upward momentum in wages demonstrates that Kansas is creating good-paying jobs with reliable and stable salaries.

To hear more about the historic $20 billion milestone, watch the Kansas Department of Commerce video here.