By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly was in Salina Tuesday to speak to those attending the Kansas Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) annual fall conference.
Kelly told those assembled that since she took office in January 2019, her administration has worked with private sector businesses to create and retain more than 50,000 jobs.
"That's a milestone worth celebrating. Fifty thousand jobs represent 50,000 opportunities for Kansans across state to achieve their dreams and provide greater futures for themselves and their families," she said. "This is on top of a 2.5 percent unemployment rate, one of the lowest in state history."
Kelly said that the jobs and unemployment rate, combined with record-setting levels of new private sector investment "underscore the strength of the Kansas economy now and into the future."
The governor praised the Kansas Department of Commerce, led by Lieutenant Governor David Toland, closing more than 750 economic development projects representing more than $14 billion in capital investment.
"Credit also goes to KEDA and other forward-thinking leaders here in Kansas who have made it their shared goal to strengthen the economic future of our state," Kelly said.
"I can't thank you all enough for your partnership and your commitment to our state's success," she added.
Kelly also noted that Kansas also has become "a highly sought after destination for companies looking for a new location to grow their businesses."
"For the past two years, Kansas has won the prestigious Gold Shovel Award for excellence in attracting high-value investment projects that created a significant number of new jobs in our communities," Kelly said. "And, Kansas won the Governor's Cup for being the state with the most economic development investment per capita in the country. Kansas is No. 1 right now!"
Kelly talked about the largest private-sector investment in state history: Panasonic's $4 billion new electric vehicle battery facility in DeSoto, which was announced in July. The facility will employ 4,000 workers and create another 4,000 permanent jobs at suppliers and community businesses, she said. Additionally, 16,500 people will be hired for the construction phase.
"It's a resounding validation that we're on the right track and our future is as bright as it has ever been. Kansas is truly officially open for business," Kelly said.
The "thriving business climate" is due to the state following it's Framework for Growth Plan that was launched in 2021.
"It addressed current and future trends in our state and created a roadmap for developing several key Kansas industries, including aviation, agriculture, biotechnology, and animal health," she said.
Kelly said that none of the state's economic success has been possible without "the right people in place, sufficient housing, childcare, and quality education."
"We're working hard to recruit and retain the skilled workforce Kansas needs to compete at a global level. The main ways we're doing this are childcare expansion and affordable housing," she said.
"This year, I signed a bipartisan bill expanding tax credits for businesses that provide childcare to employees, and I announced that my administration is giving a total of $53 million to eligible childcare staff at licensed facilities as a reward for their incredibly essential and hard work," Kelly said.
"To reduce the price of housing, I worked to secure over $90 million in funding for housing throughout the state, and $100 million in incentives for communities to invest in diversifying and rehabilitating housing stock," she added.
Kelly noted that "without a strong education system in place, none of this is sustainable. That's why I am especially proud that we have achieved all of this while fully funding our schools."