To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards - Kansas Department of Commerce
Source: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/tothestars
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:14
To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards - 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
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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
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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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To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards
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To The Stars
To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards
The Kansas Department of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2026 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards. The increasingly popular annual award program recognizes companies and individuals around the state for the positive impact they make on the Kansas economy and on their local communities.
During the event, Commerce also will announce the prestigious Governor’s Award of Excellence, the 2026 Governor’s Exporter of the Year, The Randi Tveitaraas Jack International Business Award, and two new inductees of the Kansas Business Hall of Fame. This year’s gala will be held Oct. 8 at the Fiorella’s Event Space in Overland Park.
Award nominations will be accepted until Monday, June 15.
Press Release
Nominate Today!
2025 Winners
Pittsburg
2024 Winners
Great Bend
2023 Winners
Wichita
2022 Winners
Topeka
Award Categories
AgriBusiness
Companies that stand out in the agribusiness industry – including agricultural production, products and services, and agri-tourism.
Apprenticeship Champion
Companies and other entities that excel providing registered apprenticeship programs in Kansas.
Business Innovation
Companies from any sector incorporating innovative technologies in their business.
Healthcare/ Nonprofit
Noteworthy services provided by either healthcare facilities or nonprofit organizations.
Main Street Momentum
Businesses revitalizing main streets or neighborhood commercial districts through growth or engagement.
Manufacturing/ Distribution
Outstanding achievement for companies of all sizes involved in manufacturing and distribution.
Non-Traditional Talent Pools
Companies that have gone above and beyond to hire those with prior involvement in the justice system, youth, seniors or individuals with disabilities.
Retail/Service
Exceptional performance by businesses selling goods, products and/or services.
Small Business Champion – Corporate Partner Award (State-Level Only)
Honors a corporation that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to small business growth in Kansas through investment and partnerships
Under 30 Entrepreneur
Young entrepreneurs under the age of 30 who are achieving business success.
Welcome Back
Entrepreneurs and businesspeople who once left Kansas but have returned to make their mark in the Sunflower State.
A statewide grand banquet and much more to celebrate in 2026.
The Department of Commerce will host a Statewide Awards Banquet on October 8 in Overland Park. Who will be named the best of the best in 11 different categories? That’s up to you! It’s time to nominate the company, organization or individual you believe is having significant impact on the economy as well as their local community. Self-nominations are encouraged!
Nominate Today!
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.
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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
To The Stars
To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards
The Kansas Department of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2026 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards. The increasingly popular annual award program recognizes companies and individuals around the state for the positive impact they make on the Kansas economy and on their local communities.
During the event, Commerce also will announce the prestigious Governor’s Award of Excellence, the 2026 Governor’s Exporter of the Year, The Randi Tveitaraas Jack International Business Award, and two new inductees of the Kansas Business Hall of Fame. This year’s gala will be held Oct. 8 at the Fiorella’s Event Space in Overland Park.
Award nominations will be accepted until Monday, June 15.
Press Release
Nominate Today!
2025 Winners
Pittsburg
2024 Winners
Great Bend
2023 Winners
Wichita
2022 Winners
Topeka
Award Categories
AgriBusiness
Companies that stand out in the agribusiness industry – including agricultural production, products and services, and agri-tourism.
Apprenticeship Champion
Companies and other entities that excel providing registered apprenticeship programs in Kansas.
Business Innovation
Companies from any sector incorporating innovative technologies in their business.
Healthcare/ Nonprofit
Noteworthy services provided by either healthcare facilities or nonprofit organizations.
Main Street Momentum
Businesses revitalizing main streets or neighborhood commercial districts through growth or engagement.
Manufacturing/ Distribution
Outstanding achievement for companies of all sizes involved in manufacturing and distribution.
Non-Traditional Talent Pools
Companies that have gone above and beyond to hire those with prior involvement in the justice system, youth, seniors or individuals with disabilities.
Retail/Service
Exceptional performance by businesses selling goods, products and/or services.
Small Business Champion – Corporate Partner Award (State-Level Only)
Honors a corporation that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to small business growth in Kansas through investment and partnerships
Under 30 Entrepreneur
Young entrepreneurs under the age of 30 who are achieving business success.
Welcome Back
Entrepreneurs and businesspeople who once left Kansas but have returned to make their mark in the Sunflower State.
A statewide grand banquet and much more to celebrate in 2026.
The Department of Commerce will host a Statewide Awards Banquet on October 8 in Overland Park. Who will be named the best of the best in 11 different categories? That’s up to you! It’s time to nominate the company, organization or individual you believe is having significant impact on the economy as well as their local community. Self-nominations are encouraged!
Nominate Today!
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.
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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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