Office Of Rural Prosperity - Kansas Department of Commerce
Source: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/orp
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:11
Office Of Rural Prosperity - Kansas Department of Commerce
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Governor Kelly Announces Indra Group to Invest Nearly $7.5M to Manufacture Air Traffic Radars in Kansas
March 23, 2026
Gov. Kelly and Kansas City Chiefs Announce Agreement On Plans for State-of-the-Art Domed Stadium in Kansas
December 22, 2025
Governor Kelly Celebrates Grand Opening of Panasonic EV Battery Manufacturing Facility in De Soto
July 14, 2025
Governor Kelly Announces Grand Opening of Heartland Coca-Cola Olathe Production Campus
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Governor Kelly Visits Geoprobe, 2025 Exporter of the Year
Governor Laura Kelly visited Geoprobe Systems in Salina last Thursday to officially honor the company’s selection as the 2025 Governor’s Exporter of the Year.
Office of Broadband Announces $16.3 Million in New Grant Funding
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $16.3 million is available to improve broadband infrastructure through the Broadband Acceleration Grant (BAG) program.
Spring Into a New Career at KANSASWORKS Virtual Statewide Job Fair
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers searching for available talent to take part in this month’s Virtual Statewide Job Fair.
Kansas Commerce Selects Third Round of Rural Champions
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that the Department of Commerce has selected the third cohort of Rural Champions to solve pressing needs in their local communities.
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Office Of Rural Prosperity
Welcome to the
Office Of Rural Prosperity
The Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) champions rural Kansas by supporting the communities that make our state unique. Since 2019, ORP has partnered with local leaders by listening to their goals, understanding their challenges, and helping implement locally driven solutions that reflect each community’s vision and values.
Through initiatives like Rural Champions, ORP empowers individuals who are leading change in their hometowns while expanding pathways to economic opportunity. The Towns program supports small-scale, quality-of-place projects that deliver meaningful results. Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants help restore and revitalize underutilized buildings, preserving local heritage while encouraging new investment.
ORP’s full range of programs and resources continues to evolve in response to community needs. Explore the program pages below to learn more and connect with our team to see how we can support your rural community.
ORP Quick Links
HEAL
Emergency HEAL
Kansas Murals
Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZ)
SEED Grants
Rural Health and Prosperity Grants 101 Workshop
Rural Champions
Grassroots Economic Development
Towns Grant
Community Assessment Toolkit
Downtown Revive & Thrive
Public Broadcasting Grant
IRONED Pilot Grant
Office of Rural Prosperity
We are here to assist you and your community. If we can help provide you information, discuss challenges or identify resources, we encourage you to reach out and contact us.
You can also make sure to keep up to date with ORP programs and activities by signing up for our monthly newsletter.
To learn more about grants that are available through all of the Departments of Commerce, you can find details on the grants calendar.
Commerce Grants at a Glance Calendar
Contact Us
Rural Champions
A network of devoted rural champions working to strengthen Kansas communities
The Rural Champions program is designed to create a network of grassroots individuals who possess the necessary tools to resolve critical community needs in a quick and effective manner. These Rural Champions will receive strategic training, compensation, and paired with resources to assist them.
Developed by the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP), in collaboration with the Kansas Sampler Foundation (KSF) and the Patterson Family Foundation, this program will address critical public needs in rural communities and build capacity moving forward.
Learn More
Rural Opportunity Zones
Kansas is filled with the natural beauty, simplicity and communal bonds of rural life. We want you to experience the peace and joy of rural Kansas so much that we’ll even throw in some added bonuses.
The state of Kansas has designated 95 counties as “
Rural Opportunity Zones
,” which means moving there comes with significant added benefits. Designated counties offer one or both of the following financial incentives for new full-time residents.
Learn More
Kansas Statewide Housing Needs Assessment 2021
In 2021, KHRC and the
Office of Rural Prosperity
launched the state’s first comprehensive housing needs assessment in nearly 30 years, aiming to address a decades-long shortage of data on existing housing resources and current and projected needs. A lack of quality, affordable housing is widely recognized as one of the state’s biggest barriers to growth and development, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Learn More
Housing Resources
Power Up and Go – Rural Action Report
The mission of this project was to to gain a greater understanding of current challenges and opportunities in rural Kansas for young people — helping to figure out why they choose to live in rural communities, and why it’s difficult to make that choice. This report provides context and meaning to potential actions for state government, local government, businesses, non-profit and philanthropic organizations, and community members who want to invest in the future of their communities. The rich diversity of challenges and opportunities in rural communities lends itself well to support of locally identified challenges AND locally identified solutions.
Download PDF
ORP Newsletter Sign Up
Since being one of the first key priority departments established by Governor Kelly in 2019, we have worked to ensure rural communities were elevated and programs and services that rural stakeholders outlined as priorities are developed. After two state-wide listening sessions, one thing was clear: rural Kansans consistently felt the State was not listening. They felt as if they did not have a seat at the table. These discussions established the foundation and priorities of ORP. The following are the priorities that hundreds of Kansans helped to establish with the Office of Rural Prosperity. These are always changing, adapting, and growing as rural Kansans continue tackle the hard issues facing their community.
Rural Housing
Childcare Early Education
Broadband Infrastructure
Kansas Primary Care Needs Assessment
2021 Report
Healthcare/ Wellness
Rural Workforce
Quality Places
Housing Resources in Kansas
Affordable, quality and accessible housing is a critical component to growing the Kansas economy and improving the quality of life in our state.
Learn More
Connect With Us
MEET THE TEAM
Kerri Falletti
Grassroots Strategy Developer
[email protected]
Sheena Thomas
Program Manager
[email protected]
Trisha Purdon
Director of Office of Rural Prosperity
[email protected]
Kelli Hansen
Grassroots Strategy Developer
[email protected]
Cassandra Alexander
Program Specialist
[email protected]
Maren Lagaly
Program Manager
[email protected]
785.289.3763
|
[email protected]
|
Facebook
|
Twitter
Business Resources
Incentives & Financing, Taxes, Credits & Exemptions, Site Selection, Doing Business in Kansas
Quality Places
Infrastructure assessment, community planning, development support, and downtown activation
Workforce Services
Find a Job, Job Seeker Services, Employer Services
TRAVEL KANSAS
Plan your trip to Kansas. Places to visit, things to do. Order a free Travel Guide.
International
Exporting Programs & Services, Investment, Reshoring
Transparency Database
Quality Places
Broadband
Careers
Federal Compliance
Sitemap
․
Accessibility
․
Privacy Policy
․
Cookie Policy
․
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Skip Navigation
Business News
Governor Kelly Announces Indra Group to Invest Nearly $7.5M to Manufacture Air Traffic Radars in Kansas
March 23, 2026
Gov. Kelly and Kansas City Chiefs Announce Agreement On Plans for State-of-the-Art Domed Stadium in Kansas
December 22, 2025
Governor Kelly Celebrates Grand Opening of Panasonic EV Battery Manufacturing Facility in De Soto
July 14, 2025
Governor Kelly Announces Grand Opening of Heartland Coca-Cola Olathe Production Campus
June 10, 2025
View All
Business in Kansas
Quality of Life
Demographics
Skilled Workforce
Infrastructure
Incentives & Financing
Taxes, Credits, & Exemptions
Entrepreneurial Culture
Sites & Buildings
International
To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards
Key Industries
Advanced Manufacturing
Corporate & Professional Services
Logistics & Distribution
Food Processing and Manufacturing
Aerospace & Defense
Animal Health
Bioscience
Agriculture
Energy & Natural Resources
Publications
Initiatives & Incentives
Transparency Database
Chiefs in Kansas
Notices
Governor Kelly Visits Geoprobe, 2025 Exporter of the Year
Governor Laura Kelly visited Geoprobe Systems in Salina last Thursday to officially honor the company’s selection as the 2025 Governor’s Exporter of the Year.
Office of Broadband Announces $16.3 Million in New Grant Funding
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $16.3 million is available to improve broadband infrastructure through the Broadband Acceleration Grant (BAG) program.
Spring Into a New Career at KANSASWORKS Virtual Statewide Job Fair
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers searching for available talent to take part in this month’s Virtual Statewide Job Fair.
Kansas Commerce Selects Third Round of Rural Champions
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that the Department of Commerce has selected the third cohort of Rural Champions to solve pressing needs in their local communities.
View All
Our Department
Business Resources
Incentives & Financing, Taxes, Credits & Exemptions, Site Selection, Doing Business in Kansas
Quality Places
Infrastructure assessment, community planning, development support, and downtown activation
Workforce Services
Find a Job, Job Seeker Services, Employer Services
Travel Kansas
Plan your trip to Kansas. Places to visit, things to do. Order a free Travel Guide.
International
Exporting Programs & Services, Investment, Reshoring
Love, Kansas
Resources for your move to Kansas.
Athletic Commission
Broadband
Careers
Innovation
Kansas Arts Commission
News & Events
Programs & Services
Partners
Rural Prosperity
Kansas Small Business Office
Tourism
Publications
Initiatives & Incentives
Transparency Database
Chiefs in Kansas
Menu
Business
Regions
Made in Kansas
Our Department
Publications
Initiatives & Incentives
Transparency Database
Chiefs in Kansas
Notices
Contact
Back
Business in Kansas
Quality of Life
Demographics
Skilled Workforce
Infrastructure
Incentives & Financing
Taxes, Credits, & Exemptions
Entrepreneurial Culture
Sites & Buildings
International
To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards
Key Industries
Advanced Manufacturing
Corporate & Professional Services
Logistics & Distribution
Food Processing and Manufacturing
Aerospace & Defense
Animal Health
Bioscience
Agriculture
Energy & Natural Resources
Business News
Back
Our Department
Business Resources
Quality Places
Workforce Services
Travel Kansas
International
Love, Kansas
Athletic Commission
Broadband
Careers
Innovation
Kansas Arts Commission
News & Events
Programs & Services
Partners
Rural Prosperity
Kansas Small Business Office
Tourism
Home
/
Office Of Rural Prosperity
Welcome to the
Office Of Rural Prosperity
The Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) champions rural Kansas by supporting the communities that make our state unique. Since 2019, ORP has partnered with local leaders by listening to their goals, understanding their challenges, and helping implement locally driven solutions that reflect each community’s vision and values.
Through initiatives like Rural Champions, ORP empowers individuals who are leading change in their hometowns while expanding pathways to economic opportunity. The Towns program supports small-scale, quality-of-place projects that deliver meaningful results. Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants help restore and revitalize underutilized buildings, preserving local heritage while encouraging new investment.
ORP’s full range of programs and resources continues to evolve in response to community needs. Explore the program pages below to learn more and connect with our team to see how we can support your rural community.
ORP Quick Links
HEAL
Emergency HEAL
Kansas Murals
Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZ)
SEED Grants
Rural Health and Prosperity Grants 101 Workshop
Rural Champions
Grassroots Economic Development
Towns Grant
Community Assessment Toolkit
Downtown Revive & Thrive
Public Broadcasting Grant
IRONED Pilot Grant
Office of Rural Prosperity
We are here to assist you and your community. If we can help provide you information, discuss challenges or identify resources, we encourage you to reach out and contact us.
You can also make sure to keep up to date with ORP programs and activities by signing up for our monthly newsletter.
To learn more about grants that are available through all of the Departments of Commerce, you can find details on the grants calendar.
Commerce Grants at a Glance Calendar
Contact Us
Rural Champions
A network of devoted rural champions working to strengthen Kansas communities
The Rural Champions program is designed to create a network of grassroots individuals who possess the necessary tools to resolve critical community needs in a quick and effective manner. These Rural Champions will receive strategic training, compensation, and paired with resources to assist them.
Developed by the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP), in collaboration with the Kansas Sampler Foundation (KSF) and the Patterson Family Foundation, this program will address critical public needs in rural communities and build capacity moving forward.
Learn More
Rural Opportunity Zones
Kansas is filled with the natural beauty, simplicity and communal bonds of rural life. We want you to experience the peace and joy of rural Kansas so much that we’ll even throw in some added bonuses.
The state of Kansas has designated 95 counties as “
Rural Opportunity Zones
,” which means moving there comes with significant added benefits. Designated counties offer one or both of the following financial incentives for new full-time residents.
Learn More
Kansas Statewide Housing Needs Assessment 2021
In 2021, KHRC and the
Office of Rural Prosperity
launched the state’s first comprehensive housing needs assessment in nearly 30 years, aiming to address a decades-long shortage of data on existing housing resources and current and projected needs. A lack of quality, affordable housing is widely recognized as one of the state’s biggest barriers to growth and development, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Learn More
Housing Resources
Power Up and Go – Rural Action Report
The mission of this project was to to gain a greater understanding of current challenges and opportunities in rural Kansas for young people — helping to figure out why they choose to live in rural communities, and why it’s difficult to make that choice. This report provides context and meaning to potential actions for state government, local government, businesses, non-profit and philanthropic organizations, and community members who want to invest in the future of their communities. The rich diversity of challenges and opportunities in rural communities lends itself well to support of locally identified challenges AND locally identified solutions.
Download PDF
ORP Newsletter Sign Up
Since being one of the first key priority departments established by Governor Kelly in 2019, we have worked to ensure rural communities were elevated and programs and services that rural stakeholders outlined as priorities are developed. After two state-wide listening sessions, one thing was clear: rural Kansans consistently felt the State was not listening. They felt as if they did not have a seat at the table. These discussions established the foundation and priorities of ORP. The following are the priorities that hundreds of Kansans helped to establish with the Office of Rural Prosperity. These are always changing, adapting, and growing as rural Kansans continue tackle the hard issues facing their community.
Rural Housing
Childcare Early Education
Broadband Infrastructure
Kansas Primary Care Needs Assessment
2021 Report
Healthcare/ Wellness
Rural Workforce
Quality Places
Housing Resources in Kansas
Affordable, quality and accessible housing is a critical component to growing the Kansas economy and improving the quality of life in our state.
Learn More
Connect With Us
MEET THE TEAM
Kerri Falletti
Grassroots Strategy Developer
[email protected]
Sheena Thomas
Program Manager
[email protected]
Trisha Purdon
Director of Office of Rural Prosperity
[email protected]
Kelli Hansen
Grassroots Strategy Developer
[email protected]
Cassandra Alexander
Program Specialist
[email protected]
Maren Lagaly
Program Manager
[email protected]
785.289.3763
|
[email protected]
|
|
Business Resources
Incentives & Financing, Taxes, Credits & Exemptions, Site Selection, Doing Business in Kansas
Quality Places
Infrastructure assessment, community planning, development support, and downtown activation
Workforce Services
Find a Job, Job Seeker Services, Employer Services
TRAVEL KANSAS
Plan your trip to Kansas. Places to visit, things to do. Order a free Travel Guide.
International
Exporting Programs & Services, Investment, Reshoring
Transparency Database
Quality Places
Broadband
Careers
Federal Compliance
Sitemap
․
Accessibility
․
Privacy Policy
․
Cookie Policy
․
Terms of Use
․
All content © 2006-2026 Kansas Department of Commerce, KS and its representatives. All rights reserved.
Linked In
Youtube
Website by Imagemakers
Back to Top
We use cookies essential for this site to function well. Please click "Accept" to help us improve its usefulness with additional cookies. Learn about our use of cookies
here
.
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Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
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