Kansas Department of Commerce

06/01/2026

It's official. Lockton — the world's largest privately owned insurance brokerage — just broke ground on its new global HQ right here in Leawood.

A 12-story tower. A $300M+ investment. 250 new jobs. And a world-class mixed-use campus coming to the Sunflower State.

The future is being built in Kansas.

Lockton Companies

05/27/2026

Kansas, your best businesses deserve their moment in the spotlight — and the clock is ticking!

Nominations are OPEN for the 2026 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards, and we need YOU to shout out the companies and individuals making Kansas unstoppable.

From agribusiness to tech innovators, Main Street heroes to young entrepreneurs under 30 — there's a category for every game-changer in your community.

🏆 Nominations close June 15. Don't let your favorite Kansas business miss out.

👉 Nominate now at https://bit.ly/3No7St1

A statewide grand banquet and much more to celebrate in 2026. The Department of Commerce will host a Statewide Awards Banquet on October 8 in Overland Park. Who will be named the best of the best in 11 different categories? That’s up to you! It’s time to nominate the company, organization or ind...

05/26/2026

Applications are still open for the newest round of Opportunity Zones (OZ) funding.

If you have a vision for a community project and are ready to bring it to reality — look no further and wait no longer.

But hurry — deadline for nominations is June 1.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4wysEf3

05/21/2026

100+ Kansas buildings transformed. Checks cut. Communities winning.

Last week at the newly restored Docking State Office Building, we handed out checks to the newest class of awardees — folks turning crumbling, forgotten buildings into housing, businesses, gathering spaces, and opportunity. Happy to support turning eyesores into assets and good old days into great new ones.

05/20/2026

Calling all content creators & digital storytellers!

The Kansas Department of Commerce is hiring a Social Media Coordinator — and yes, scrolling IS part of the job.

Help us tell the Kansas story and grow our economy, one post at a time: attracting businesses, connecting job seekers, and driving opportunity across the Sunflower State.

If you live and breathe LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and data-driven strategy, we want to hear from you.

✅ Strategy. Content. Analytics. All you.
📅 Position closes June 1, 2026
🔗 Apply now → https://bit.ly/4tN3Mhe

05/15/2026

Have you nominated a business for the To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards yet? If not, today is the day!

Don’t miss this opportunity — nominate yourself or your favorite Kansas business before the June 15 deadline.

Learn more and nominate here: https://bit.ly/3No7St1

To The Stars: Nomination Form

05/13/2026

Kansas is innovating — and the KC community is taking notice.

We're proud to share that our ACCEL KS program has been nominated for the Access to Capital Award at the 3rd Annual Keystone Innovation District Innovation Awards. This statewide program, with support from Groover Labs and KU Innovation Park, provides funding for Proof-of-Concept and R&D projects to turn Kansas innovations into market-ready businesses.

Voting is open now through May 22nd. Make your voice heard and vote today!

https://bit.ly/4wxoe8s

05/13/2026

It's official. Governor Laura Kelly has proclaimed May 2026 World Trade Month in Kansas!

With $14.64B in annual exports, from world-leading general aviation aircraft to ag products that feed the globe — Kansas is open for business, everywhere. Let's celebrate the Kansas companies taking our state to the world.

05/07/2026

Happy National Travel and Tourism Week!

Did you know that tourism supports one out of every 22 jobs in Kansas? Or that tourism saves every Kansan $736 in taxes a year?

Tourism is the welcome committee for capital investment in our state and travel is an essential part of the Kansas economy.

Where is your favorite place to visit in Kansas? Let us know in the comments!

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4d9G9cf