Category Archives: Kansas

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Kansas State Agency Reopening Guidance

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces State Agency Reopening Guidance

~State of Kansas agencies to resume normal operations June 13, 2021 with additional COVID guidance~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced that State of Kansas offices will return to normal operations effective with the pay period beginning on June 13, 2021.

By the end of May, all state employees will have had the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccination at no cost. Due to vaccinations, the widespread availability of rapid testing, and substantially reduced numbers of new positive cases being reported in the state, the State of Kansas has determined it is safe to return to normal operations with additional guidance* detailed below.

  • Masks or other facial coverings will continue to be required for all State of Kansas employees and visitors to any State of Kansas facilities under the jurisdiction of the Governor. Notice of this requirement will continue to be posted at entrances to all State of Kansas buildings.
  • Agencies should take all necessary steps to ensure that at least six feet of space can be maintained between employee workstations and other seating arrangements. Signs and floor markings will continue to be used throughout State of Kansas buildings to reinforce the importance of physical distancing.
  • Agencies should reinforce the need for proper handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Where this is not available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% of alcohol may be used.
  • Agencies may continue to allow employees to work remotely in situations where adequate social distancing cannot be maintained in the office or as otherwise approved by the agency head, provided there is no disruption to agency operations.
  • Employees should continue to self-monitor and conduct self-screening activities before appearing for in-person work. Passive temperature check stations and posting of screening questions will continue to be in place in all State of Kansas buildings under the jurisdiction of the Governor.

Full guidance for State of Kansas agencies and employees can be found here.

*Guidance developed in consultation with KDHE.

Government, Kansas

Kansas: $5 Billion in New Capital Investment

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas Economic Development Week; State Surpasses $5 Billion in New Capital Investment

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced Kansas will participate in Economic Development Week, an annual celebration hosted by the International Economic Development Council.

“Over the last two years, we’ve rebuilt the Department of Commerce and reinvested in critical services like education, transportation, broadband, and health care,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “With over $5 billion in new capital investment, our efforts are paying off in real-time. We’ll continue to reinvest in our foundation and recruitment tools to keep Kansas open for business.”

Since Governor Kelly took office, Kansas has experienced historic economic development success – recently surpassing over $5 billion in new capital investment by businesses since 2019. Of the $5 billion brought to the state, $2.5 billion was invested in 2020 alone, making 2020 the most successful economic development year in Kansas history.

“Governor Kelly has ushered in a new era of economic development in Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “Major business investments ripple through the state by bringing new visitors, residents and dollars to the state. Kansas companies expanding strengthen their communities and provide new opportunities for their neighbors. Our new way of doing business has made Kansas stronger, more secure and more prosperous – period.”

Selected investments since the beginning of the Kelly administration include:

  • Schwan’s Company, Inc. – building a new 400,000-square-foot expansion at its pizza-manufacturing facility in Salina, totaling $600 million in capital investment;
  • Hilmar Cheese Company – building a new production facility in Dodge City, totaling $460 million investment;
  • Urban Outfitters, Inc. – building a new 880,000-square-foot omnichannel distribution center in Wyandotte County, totaling more than $400 million in capital investment;
  • Amazon – two new fulfillment centers in Kansas City and Park City, totaling $210 million in capital investment;
  • Merck Animal Health – new facility expansion/enhancement in DeSoto, totaling $100 million in capital investment;
  • Pretzels, LLC – building a 146,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the Lawrence Venture Park, totaling $88 million in capital investment;
  • Great Plains Manufacturing (Kubota) – new manufacturing facility in Salina, totaling $43 million in capital investment.

For more information on the recent $5 billion capital investment milestone, read Governor Kelly’s recent op-ed in the Wichita Eagle here.

To read more about Kansas’ recent economic development successes and the team behind business recruitment and expansion, follow the Kansas Department of Commerce on social media, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

About Economic Development Week

Economic Development Week was created by IEDC in 2016 to increase awareness of local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities, and improve the quality of life in communities everywhere. Over the years, more than 450 campaigns have been created throughout the United States and Canada, creating millions of impressions, hundreds of news stories, blog entries, videos, events and other activities. Campaigns occurred in all 50 American states in 2018, with more than 40 communities officially proclaiming Economic Development Week.

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.

Kansas

BIG KANSAS ROAD TRIP MOVES TO SOUTHEAST KANSAS

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The Big Kansas Road Trip in upper northeast Kansas ended with more than a hundred people at the Kansas Explorers Club meeting waiting anxiously for news about where the fourth annual BKRT would take place. Cheers and applause accompanied the announcement that Bourbon, Cherokee and Crawford counties in southeast Kansas would be the next area to be showcased May 5-8, 2022.
Allyson Turvey, Fort Scott Tourism Director; Rachel Pruitt, Fort Scott Economic Development Director; and Rhonda Dunn, tourism advisory board member, represented the 2022 planning team at this year’s Big Kansas Road Trip (BKRT) in Brown, Doniphan and Nemaha counties. They were introduced at the Kansas Explorers Club meeting and they welcomed the crowd to southeast Kansas.
The BKRT, a project of the Inman-based, non-profit Kansas Sampler Foundation, replaced the 27-year run of the popular Kansas Sampler Festival. The first counties to be featured in the new format in 2018 were Barber, Comanche and Kiowa counties. The next year the northwest counties of Cheyenne, Sherman and Wallace were highlighted. The 2020 event was postponed until this May due to the pandemic. Foundation director Marci Penner said, “By showcasing three counties, we give people a reason to come see a part of the state they might not know very well. We’re trying to get people addicted to exploring!”
Penner continued, “All we ask of the communities is to be good at being themselves, that’s all. It’s a time to show-and-tell a story that even locals might find interesting. The event is like a tri-county open house, an ala carte adventure. Hundreds of people will travel all over the three counties but on their own time frame to places they choose to go. Those who attend are excited to interact with the locals, to buy and eat at locally-owned businesses and to get to know something unique about each community.”
Penner and assistant director WenDee Rowe will be coming to Fort Scott, Pittsburg and Columbus on June 7 and 8 to meet with county leaders and those interested in learning more about how to participate. In addition to Turvey and Pruitt representing Bourbon County, Devin Gorman and Chris Wilson of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau will lead Crawford County, and Liz Simpson of The Columbus Project and Jake Letner, Columbus Community Development Coordinator, will lead Cherokee County. Anyone interested in being the main contact for their community should attend the June meetings.
Allyson Turvey said, “I am so excited to have the Big Kansas Road Trip making its way to Southeast Kansas next year. The locals always love the opportunity to greet new visitors, and show off everything that makes our rural communities special; BKRT is the perfect time to do just that!”

For more information about the BKRT, go to www.bigkansasroadtrip.com.

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

May 7, 2021

Veto Session Overrides

The first day of veto session the legislature overrode five of the Governor’s vetoes, making the bills law.  The first was addressing income tax allowing the option to itemize and increasing standard deductions. We then overrode two vetoes for bills that protected elections and another override that lowers concealed carry age restriction to 18 and increases reciprocity with other states. The final override was a bill that has several options for customized license plates.  There was a failed attempt in the Senate to override a veto limiting women’s sports to biological women.  It failed by one vote.

 

Article V Convention

The U.S. Constitution Article V allows for amendments to the Constitution to originate in two ways.  The first way most people are familiar with – through U.S. Congress.  The second path is through 2/3 of the state legislatures passing an application for a call of a convention of states.  The convention would propose amendment(s) according to the application.  An Article V convention has never been called in the history of our country.

 

The Convention Of States (COS) is a group working to pass an application in several states on a couple of topics; fiscal restraints, limited power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and term limits for Congress.  The COS convinced the Senate President to attempt to pass the COS application, SCR 1611, based on the U.S. Constitution, which based on their logic, would lower the required Senate votes to 21, not 27.

 

The COS attempting to pass an application at the simple majority (21) could have serious consequences (the Kansas Constitution requires a 2/3s majority).  What if the Senate President was far to the left and was working to pass an application for a convention to remove the 1st or 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution?  Would you want that application to require simple-majority (21) or a super-majority (27) of yes votes?  It is a gamble for short-term gain and long-term consequences.  A gamble I am not willing to take.

 

Tax

The Senate tax committee, which I chair, produced some great work this year and Senate Substitute for HB 2313 was another example.  It passed the Senate 33 to 6.  The bill would have allowed small businesses a rebate on a portion of their property taxes for the COVID government shutdown; exempted property tax on businesses during future emergency shutdowns; froze property tax for low-income seniors and disabled veterans through another rebate program; and exempted property tax for up to two vehicles for active national guard members, like other service members get in Kansas.  Instead of keeping the bill as it was, leadership decided to try to attach the unpopular HB 2445, exempting all health clubs from property tax, a bill that had not passed out of any committee.  I did not support this effort.  A majority of Senators didn’t support it either and sent a strong message voting down CCR 2313 after that change, 11 yes to 27 no.  The legislation was sent back to conference committee. Instead of just pulling out the health club portion (HB 2445), the Senate’s lead negotiator also removed the rebate program for small businesses that were shut down and the property tax freeze for low-income seniors and disabled veterans.  It made no sense because the House did not ask for them to be removed and the Senate position obviously supported the legislation based on the first vote (33 to 6).  It is a good example of personal interest games getting in the way of good legislation.  Disappointing as it was, there were still good things (exempted property tax on businesses during future emergency shutdowns, exempted property tax for up to 2 vehicles for active nation guard members) in the legislation and the final version passed 35 to 0.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

COVID-19, Kansas

Kansas COVID-19 Travel Update

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KDHE amends travel quarantine list

State of Colorado removed, specific Colorado counties added

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to remove the state of Colorado but has added more than 20 Colorado counties to the list, effective as of May 6. Those counties are listed below.

“We recognize that adding Colorado to the quarantine list presented challenges to those living in the border communities,” said Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “As such we looked at all of the Colorado counties individually and added those core counties that were 3x higher than the rate of Kansas.”

A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine includes visitors and Kansans who have:

  • Traveled on or after May 6 to the Colorado counties of: Adams, Arapahoe, Archuleta, Bent, Chaffee, Conejos, Crowley, City and County of Denver, Douglas, Elbert, El Paso, Fremont, Huerfano, Jefferson, Lake, Larimer, Park, Phillips, Pueblo, Rio Blanco, San Juan, Teller and Weld.
  • Traveled on or after May 6 to the countries of Cabo Verde, India, Maldives and Seychelles.
  • Traveled on or after April 22 to Minnesota or the countries of Argentina, Bahrain, Croatia, Cyprus, Sweden and Turkey.
  • Traveled on or after April 8 to Pennsylvania or the country of Uruguay.
  • Traveled on or after March 26 to Delaware, Michigan or Rhode Island.
  • Traveled on or after March 12 to the country of State of Palestine.
  • Traveled between April 22 and May 6 to Aruba or France.
  • Traveled between April 8 and May 6 to Andorra, Bermuda, Curacao, Poland or Serbia.
  • Traveled between March 26 and May 6 to Hungary.
  • Traveled between March 12 and May 6 to New Jersey or New York.
  • Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.
  • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020.

The travel quarantine period is seven days with a negative test result or 10 days without testing, with release from quarantine on Day 8 and Day 11, respectively. Further information on quarantine periods can be found on KDHE’s website.

For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S. For further information on this and other requirements, visit their website.

For those who are fully vaccinated (meaning it has been greater than two weeks since they completed their vaccinations) they are not required to quarantine regarding travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2- dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)
  • Are within 6 months following receipt of the last dose in the series
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the travel

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

Additionally, people with previous COVID-19 disease are not required to quarantine following travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Have evidence of a previous infection supported by a positive PCR or antigen test
  • Are within 6 months following infection. If an investigation was done documenting the date that symptoms resolved, or the date isolation measures were discontinued for asymptomatic patients, then the 6-month period can start from that end date. If those dates are not available, then the period will start from the date of the positive laboratory test. A serology or antibody test may not be substituted for a laboratory report of a viral diagnostic test.
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the travel

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

The travel quarantine list is determined using a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. Locations with significantly higher rates — approximately 3x higher — are added to the list.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

Government, Kansas

Report on Kansas Infant Mortality

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Kansas Department of Health and Environment Releases

Report on Infant Mortality

Topeka — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has released its annual report on infant mortality. The Kansas Infant Mortality & Stillbirth Report, 2019 examines trends and disparities in infant mortality and stillbirths. The full report can be viewed here.

Some notable findings include:

  • In 2019, there were 5.4 stillbirths at 20 weeks or more of gestation, per 1,000 live births plus stillbirths. This was unchanged from the 2018 rate. Since 2000, the overall trend for stillbirths has been increasing.
  • The infant mortality rate in Kansas decreased from 6.4 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018, to 5.3 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2019. Since 2007, the overall trend for infant mortality has been decreasing.
  • From 2000 to 2019, infant mortality decreased among non-Hispanic White births and non-Hispanic Black births. No statistically significant trends in infant mortality were observed among Hispanic births.
  • In 2015-2019, the leading cause of infant mortality was congenital anomalies (23.9% of infant deaths), followed by Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (19.0%), short gestation and low birth weight (17.3%), and maternal complications of pregnancy (6.1%).
  • The rate of preterm-related mortality declined from 2000 to 2019. In 2015-2019, there were 190.0 preterm-related deaths per every 100,000 live births. The rate among non-Hispanic Black births (537.7 deaths per every 100,000 live births) was higher than that among non-Hispanic White births or Hispanic births.

“While the number of infant deaths reported is the lowest on record for the state, disparities in infant mortality rates among the non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic populations continued to exist in 2019,” said Kay Haug, State Registrar and Director of the KDHE Bureau of Epidemiology and Public Health Informatics.

“Focusing on maternal health is critical to improving birth outcomes and preventing infant mortality,” said Rachel Sisson, Director of the KDHE Bureau of Family Health. “Specifically, the health, nutrition, and behaviors of a mother prior to and during pregnancy directly impacts the infant’s health at the time of birth and throughout life. Further, eliminating disparities in infant mortality starts with addressing social determinants of health for the mother by ensuring access to care, individual and family supports, education, and maternity care practices that promote breastfeeding and safe sleep.”

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

COVID-19 Travel Quarantine List Amended

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Office of the Secretary LetterheadFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 6, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

KDHE amends travel quarantine list

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to add Colorado and the countries of Cabo Verde, India, Maldives and Seychelles.  Several locations are removed from the list effective today, including New Jersey and New York, as well as the countries of Andorra, Aruba, Bermuda, Curacao, France, Hungary, Poland and Serbia.

A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine includes visitors and Kansans who have:

  • Traveled on or after May 6 to Colorado or the countries of Cabo Verde, India, Maldives and Seychelles.
  • Traveled on or after April 22 to Minnesota or the countries of Argentina, Bahrain, Croatia, Cyprus, Sweden and Turkey.
  • Traveled on or after April 8 to Pennsylvania or the country of Uruguay.
  • Traveled on or after March 26 to Delaware, Michigan or Rhode Island.
  • Traveled on or after March 12 to the country of State of Palestine.
  • Traveled between April 22 and May 6 to Aruba or France.
  • Traveled between April 8 and May 6 to Andorra, Bermuda, Curacao, Poland or Serbia.
  • Traveled between March 26 and May 6 to Hungary.
  • Traveled between March 12 and May 6 to New Jersey or New York.
  • Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.
  • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020.

The travel quarantine period is seven days with a negative test result or 10 days without testing, with release from quarantine on Day 8 and Day 11, respectively. Further information on quarantine periods can be found on KDHE’s website.

For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S. For further information on this and other requirements, visit their website.

For those who are fully vaccinated (meaning it has been greater than two weeks since they completed their vaccinations) they are not required to quarantine regarding travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2- dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)
  • Are within 6 months following receipt of the last dose in the series
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the travel

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

Additionally, people with previous COVID-19 disease are not required to quarantine following travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Have evidence of a previous infection supported by a positive PCR or antigen test
  • Are within 6 months following infection. If an investigation was done documenting the date that symptoms resolved, or the date isolation measures were discontinued for asymptomatic patients, then the 6-month period can start from that end date. If those dates are not available, then the period will start from the date of the positive laboratory test. A serology or antibody test may not be substituted for a laboratory report of a viral diagnostic test.
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the travel

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

The travel quarantine list is determined using a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. Locations with significantly higher rates — approximately 3x higher — are added to the list.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.
Government, Health Care, Kansas

Preventing Stillbirth

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KDHE partners with parents and providers to improve birth outcomes

TOPEKA – This Mother’s Day, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Bureau of Family Health is partnering with Count the Kicks, an evidence-based stillbirth prevention campaign. The goal of Count the Kicks is to improve birth outcomes by educating expectant parents and providers about the importance of tracking fetal movement in the third trimester of pregnancy. According to Kansas Vital Statistics, one out of every 179 pregnancies* ends in stillbirth.[1] That equates to approximately 210 babies born still each year.[2]

“The Bureau of Family Health is committed to working closely with partners and organizations to support the healthiest outcomes for mothers and infants,” said Rachel Sisson, Director of the Bureau of Family Health at KDHE.  “We are proud to support evidence-based prevention programs such as Count the Kicks, and we have heard from Kansas moms that this campaign has made a difference in their lives.”

Maternal health providers, birthing hospitals, social services agencies, childbirth educators and other providers across our state can order FREE Count the Kicks educational materials available at www.countthekicks.org to guide them through the kick-counting conversation with expectant parents.

Count the Kicks also has a free app available in the iOS and Google Play app stores, giving expectant moms a simple, non-invasive way to monitor their baby’s well-being every day. The Count the Kicks app is available in 12 languages, including English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole. Features include kick-counting history, daily reminders and option to count for twins. Nearly 2,100 Kansas moms have downloaded the app.

Count the Kicks teaches the method for, and importance of, tracking fetal movement during the third trimester of pregnancy. Research shows the benefits of expectant moms tracking their baby’s movements daily and learning how long it normally takes their baby to get to 10 movements. After a few days, moms will begin to see a pattern, a normal amount of time it takes their baby to get to 10 movements. If their baby’s “normal” changes during the third trimester, this could be a sign of potential problems and an indication that a call should be made to the health care provider.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, expectant moms have reported changes to their regularly scheduled prenatal visits and an increase in telehealth visits. Now is an especially important time for moms to track their baby’s movements every day in the third trimester. By doing so, moms will have the peace of mind to know when things are okay and when things have changed.

In Iowa, where Count the Kicks began, the state’s stillbirth rate dropped by nearly 32 percent in the first 10 years of the campaign (2008-2018). Iowa’s stillbirth rate was one of the highest in the country and is now one of the lowest. KDHE is hoping to bring the same success that Iowa has seen to Kansas which would save approximately 58 babies each year.[3]

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About Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bureau of Family Health

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s mission is to protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans. The Bureau of Family Health within the Division of Public Health provides leadership to enhance the health of Kansas women, men, children, and families through partnerships with providers and communities. The Bureau administers the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programming for Kansas, which includes improving maternal and infant health. Find more information about KDHE and the Bureau of Family Health at: www.kdheks.gov/bfh/index.html.

About Count the Kicks

Healthy Birth Day, Inc. is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that created the Count the Kicks public health campaign. Count the Kicks has been featured on Good Morning America, Inside Edition and in O Magazine. Count the Kicks has more than 75 baby-save stories from moms in 24 states around the country who have written in to share how they used Count the Kicks to help save their baby’s life. B-Roll of the Count the Kicks app in use is available upon request. For media interviews or to learn more about the Count the Kicks campaign, please contact Kimberly Isburg at 515-494-5115 or at [email protected].

 

[1] Number based on dividing 1,000 by the 5-year average stillbirth rate. Stillbirth data from KDHE Bureau of Epidemiology & Public Health Informatics. Stillbirths do not include abortions.

[2] Number based on the 5-year average stillbirth numbers, total stillbirth data from KDHE Bureau of Epidemiology & Public Health Informatics. Stillbirths do not include abortions.

[3] Number based on 5-year average stillbirth rate, multiplied by the 32% reduction seen in Iowa. Stillbirth data is from Kansas Vital Statistics. Note stillbirth rate is calculated by: Fetal Deaths/(Total of Live Births + Fetal Deaths)*1,000.

*Pregnancies does not include abortions, only live births, and stillbirths.

 

Government, Kansas

Veterans: Explore Creative Arts Career

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Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission to hold webinar series for military artists

TOPEKA – The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission (KCAIC) will present a virtual Artist INC Express workshop for military servicemembers, veterans and their family/caregivers living in Kansas who want to explore career options in creative arts industries.

The Artist INC Express workshop will introduce Kansas military members and veterans to career options in the creative arts sector. These highly interactive sessions will provide resources and an understanding of numerous career pathways in arts professions. Workshop sections include writing about your work, building a personal brand, goal setting and more.

“KCAIC specializes in high-quality professional development programs, and this particular workshop will provide an incredible opportunity for our military and veteran community in Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “Their experiences and perspectives are welcome and needed in creating meaningful, expressive art that enriches communities and lives. I strongly urge military servicemembers, veterans and their families to participate in this valuable and interesting workshop to discover and explore ways to engage in the arts industry.”

Artist INC Express is sponsored by KCAIC in partnership with the Arts Council of Johnson County and the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs at Kansas State University.

“The Artist INC program has a proven track record of connecting creatives in all disciplines to the resources and networks necessary to build a successful practice,” KCAIC Director Peter Jasso said. “This workshop will provide critical skills to members of the military community who wish to pursue a career in the creative sector, build professional relationships, and continue service to their community through personal experience and creative expression.”

The workshops will be facilitated by experienced Artist INC peer professionals Erin McGrane, Chris Dahlquist and Erica Iman. Participants will have access to networking opportunities in discussions and activities with the artists and facilitators.

Dates and times:

  • Friday, May 21, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To register for the workshop, click here.

This 3-day workshop is for veterans, military servicemembers and their family/caregivers living in Kansas. Registration is required, however, admission to the workshop is free. All participants must be at least 18 years old and attend all three days. Seats are limited to 20.

Priority registration ends at midnight on Sunday, May 16.

The workshop will be delivered via Zoom and will be highly interactive. Registrants must have a microphone and camera-enabled computer or iPad/smart tablet or smart phone, along with a strong internet connection.

For additional questions, please contact Kathy Liao at [email protected]

To learn more about the KCAIC webinar for military artists, click here.

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.

Government, Kansas

Kansas April Tax Receipts Announced

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces April Tax Receipts

~April receipts show $91.3 million more than estimated~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced Kansas saw a $91.3 million, or 10.2%, growth over the estimated tax receipt with $982.4 million in total tax collections during the month of April. That is $404.3 million, or 69.9%, better than last year. This increase is due, in part, to businesses having opened back up compared to the same month last year.

“Our April tax collection numbers are encouraging, but we must maintain fiscally-responsible policies as we continue to recover from COVID-19 to ensure our continued growth,” said Governor Laura Kelly.

With federal stimulus money, federal tax refunds, and state tax refunds getting into the pockets of Kansans, retail sales and compensating use tax collections were more than the estimate. Retail sales tax collections were $236.5 million; a 9.5%, or $20.5 million, growth from the estimate. Compensating use tax collections were $59.2 million; up $13.3 million, or 29.0%, for the month.

In addition to changing consumer purchasing patterns, another contributing factor to the increase in compensating use tax collections is the fact that more out-of-state businesses are registering with the state to collect and remit taxes that are due and owing.

Individual income tax collections are $26.5 million, or 5.8%, more than the estimate with $487.3 million collected. Corporate income tax collections were $152.8 million; a 23.9%, or $29.4 million growth from the estimate.

To view a complete breakdown of April tax receipts, click here.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Restaurants: Apply For Revitalization Grants

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Governor Laura Kelly Encourages Kansas Restaurants Apply for Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grants

~Revitalization Fund Grants will boost hospitality industry and aid continued economic recovery~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today urged Kansas restaurants and eligible businesses in the hospitality industry to apply for federal funding through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). Registration for the RRF began on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 8 AM CT and applications will open on Monday, May 3, 2021, at 11 AM CT.

“These RRF grants will boost our hospitality industry and aid our continued economic recovery as we get our state back to normal,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “I strongly encourage all eligible businesses to apply for this program and thank the SBA for their partnership to provide relief for Kansas businesses.”

The SBA will be co-hosting a webinar for Kansas businesses with the Governor’s Office of Recovery, the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Department of Agriculture on Wednesday, May 5 at 9 AM CT. Learn more about the webinar at https://covid.ks.gov/rrf/.

“Restaurants are vital to our state’s hospitality sector, and this program exists solely to help them,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “Hospitality businesses have been incredibly resilient through this historic and unprecedented challenge, and restaurants have had to be creative to get through the storm. This program is a lifeline for them, and I would encourage all Kansas restaurant owners who need help to take full advantage.”

The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss, up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.

Entities eligible for the RRF include:

  • Restaurants;
  • Food stands, food trucks, food carts;
  • Caterers;
  • Bars, saloons, lounges, taverns;
  • Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars;
  • Additional entities if onsite food or beverage sales are at least 33% of gross receipts (e.g. Bakeries, brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms, breweries and/or microbreweries, Wineries and distilleries, Inns).

“Restaurants and the food service industry are critical to the economic wellbeing of our communities,” said Michael Barrera, District Director, SBA-KC District. “Restaurants are gathering places for our cities and towns and are where many milestones and everyday conversations take place in our lives. The RRF will help keep these ‘centers of influence’ going and we here at the SBA look forward to working with our Kansas partners to make this program a Kansas success!”

“The RRF provides critical support to restaurants, food trucks, small caterers, coffee shops and other food service companies hit hard by the pandemic,” said Wayne Bell, District Director, SBA-Wichita District. “We want Kansas small businesses to be fully prepared for this opportunity.”

“As we look toward the future, it is crucial that we support the restaurant industry in every way we can,” said Ryan Wills, Kansas Department of Commerce Hospitality Industry Liaison. “Food service organizations provide nourishment to our community not just through food, but also through fellowship. They are essential to our economic vitality, and the Department of Commerce is looking forward to the RRF providing much needed relief to businesses across our great state.”

Learn more about the RRF and apply at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/restaurant-revitalization-fund.

Government, Kansas

FCC sets May 12 launch date for Emergency Broadband Benefit

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TOPEKA – Beginning May 12, Kansans can apply for the Federal Communication Commission’s $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit. The Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on Tribal lands. The discounts will be available until all funding is exhausted or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the pandemic.

Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute $10-$50 toward the purchase price. One monthly service discount and one device discount per eligible household is allowed.

To qualify for the benefit, one member of the household must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Qualify for the Lifeline Program
  • Receive free or reduced price school lunch or breakfast benefits
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current year
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income since February 2020 and a total 2020 income below $99,000 for single filers or $198,000 for joint filers
  • Meet the criteria for a participating providers exiting low-income or COVID-19 program.

 

In preparation for the program launch, 747 broadband providers nationwide have signed on to participate. Sixty of those companies will offer service in Kansas. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org.

 

More information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available at https://www.fcc.gov/consumer-faq-emergency-broadband-benefit