Governor Laura Kelly announced Kansas won Site Selection Magazine’s 2021 Governor’s Cup for the state with the most economic development investment per capita in the country.
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This is the first time in state history that Kansas has received this national economic development award.
“The Governor’s Cup demonstrates the extraordinary economic strengths of Kansas and the confidence of the business community to make major investments in our state,†Governor Kelly said. “It’s also proof our efforts to secure a strong foundation for economic growth by staying focused on the issues that Kansans elected us to take care of – like fully funding our public schools, strengthening our roads, bridges, and high-speed internet – have paid off.â€
Site Selection magazine’s coveted Governor’s Cup award goes to the state with the most capital investment and the most economic development projects per capita. In 2019, Kansas was ranked 20th out of all the 50 states for capital investment per capita in, and in 2020 Kansas moved up to 10th.
Site Selection began awarding the Governor’s Cup 30 years ago to the state with the most qualified capital investments from the previous calendar year. In 2012, Site Selection also began recognizing a state with the most qualified projects per capita, allowing for less-populated states with economic successes to also be recognized.
“In three years, the Kelly Administration has transformed Kansas’ stagnant economy with tepid growth to the most dominant state per capita for new business investment in the nation,†Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said.
“This was possible because of Governor Kelly’s relentless determination to bring quality jobs and investment to all parts of Kansas—urban, suburban and rural—and from the outstanding work by the Department of Commerce team, our Legislative partners, and local economic development professionals statewide. Kansas is back in a big way, and the global business community is taking notice.â€
For the category of most capital investment per capita, only one state annually is awarded this prestigious award. Qualified projects have at least one of the following: $1 million in capital investment, the creation of 20 new jobs or 20,000 square feet of new construction. ■