Nominations Open for Minority and Women Enterprise Development Awards

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Department of Commerce Secretary David Toland today announced the call for nominations for the 2022 Kansas Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Awards. The annual awards are just one way the Department of Commerce notes the growing impact minority- and women-led companies have on the entire state economy.

“Any time we have an opportunity to shine the light on all the amazing businesses and businesspeople in our great state is a win,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “Taking the time to recognize minority- and women-owned businesses is key to our success in highlighting and showcasing our Kansas communities and the people who make them thrive.”

Presented by the Department of Commerce’s Office of Minority and Women Development, the awards are given to minority- and women-owned businesses in the following categories:

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Professional Service
• Retail
• Service
• Supplier/Distributor
• Young Entrepreneur
• Business Advocate
• Corporation of the Year

“We want to recognize minority- and women-owned businesses that are working hard to build their companies and at the same time contributing to their community as valuable resources,” Office of Minority and Women Business Development Director Rhonda Harris said. “This is a great time to say “Thank you” for everything that they do, and we appreciate their dedication and vision to make their community and Kansas a better place.

MED Week is celebrated nationally to recognize the more than 9.2 million minority business enterprises that support the U.S. economy and generate over $1.8 trillion in revenue. The significant economic impact of minority- and women-owned businesses translates into the creation and maintenance of jobs. These jobs not only sustain the individual worker, but contribute to the economic security of their families, and the economic vitality of their communities and of the nation.

The Department of Commerce will hold an annual luncheon in November to recognize the many winners and celebrate the contributions of women- and minority-owned businesses and communities across the state.

To learn more about the MED Week Awards, view past winners and nominate a business, including your own, click here. The nominations portal will accept nominations through July 13.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas in 2021 was awarded Site Selection Magazine’s Governor’s Cup award, Area Development Magazine’s Gold Shovel award for two years in a row and was named Site Selection Magazine’s Best Business Climate in the West North Central region of the United States. Find the Department’s strategic plan for economic growth here: Kansas Framework for Growth.