Kansas Commerce
“Three straight Gold Shovels and back-to-back Governor’s Cups reflect the pro-business environment Kansas companies enjoy. Discover how our central location, solid infrastructure, welcoming communities, and ready workforce can further your company’s success.”
— David Toland, Lt. Governor
and Secretary of Commerce
TARGETED GROWTH SECTORS
EV Battery Manufacturing: Kansas is emerging as an industry leader with Panasonic Energy’s $4 billion EV lithium-ion battery facility in De Soto. The accompanying suppliers will build out an entire ecosystem.
Aviation/Defense: Home to 450 aerospace manufacturers, the aviation/defense sector contributes more than $7 billion to the state economy. Kansas has the third-largest concentration of aviation workers in the nation.
Biomanufacturing: Kansas City recently was designated a national tech hub in the biomanufacturing sector.
TOP PROJECTS
COMPANY | LOCATION | INVESTMENT |
Walmart | Olathe | $257 million |
High Plain Ponderosa Dairy | Plains | $168 million |
Great Plains Manufacturing | Salina | $124 million |
Michelin/Camso Manufacturing | Junction City | $114 million |
Infinity Windows | Kansas City | $76 million |
FEATURED LOCATIONS
Being located near the geographic center of the United States has a lot of advantages for business. Nestled at the crossroads of I-70 and I-35, Salina, Kansas offers businesses here easy access to a highly skilled and educated workforce of more than 213,000 and 45 million consumers within a single day’s drive.
FAST FACTS
Population (July 2022 est.): 2,937,150¹
Largest Cities (2020): Wichita (397,117); Overland Park (197,587); Kansas City (156,241); Olathe (141,400); Topeka (126,269)¹
Real GDP (2022): $164.9 billion²*
¹U.S. Census Bureau
²Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Dept. of Commerce
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
The Kansas Work-Based Learning Initiative offers students access to experiences that prepare them for postsecondary and workforce success in high-wage, high-demand, and critical-need occupations. The collaboration includes Commerce, Department of Education, Board of Regents and local workforce development boards.
TOP BUSINESS FACILITIES RANKINGS
Top 5 Wind Power (Installed MW) | 2023 State Rankings |
Top 10 Aerospace/Defense | 2023 State Rankings |
Top 10 Manufacturing Jobs (% of Workforce) | 2023 State Rankings |
Top 15 Manufacturing Output (% of GDP) | 2023 State Rankings |
Top 5 Most Affordable (Small; Under 50K Pop.) – Salina/Pittsburg | 2023 Metro Rankings |
Top 10 Most Affordable (Mid-Sized; Over 50K Pop.) – Topeka | 2023 Metro Rankings |
LATEST NEWS
Aerospace And Defense Industry Locations: Cleared For Takeoff
As the aerospace and defense industry continues to grow, companies look for suitable locations.
2023 Deals Of The Year
Entries for Deal of the Year awards spanned industries, investment types, and winning strategies. Here are the stories of this year’s picks.