Governor Laura Kelly Wraps Up Economic Development Week of “Back to Work, Back to School” Tour

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly this week made stops around the state to celebrate economic successes and discuss Kansas’ continued economic recovery and workforce development efforts.

These visits marked the beginning of Governor Kelly’s Back to Work, Back to School tour, a multi-week, statewide tour focused on business, education, and healthcare.

“Our discussions this past week had one major aspect in common – that in spite of the challenges we’ve faced, the future of the Kansas economy is brighter than ever before,” Governor Kelly said. “My administration is committed to maintaining this momentum and ensuring Kansas businesses can not only recover from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but thrive now and into the future.”

Governor Kelly’s stops included roundtable discussions with aerospace suppliers, visits to logistics companies and industrial manufacturers, as well as state workforce centers. Discussions focused on industry projections, employment needs and other issues. Governor Kelly was joined by Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland throughout the tour.

“The end of this terrible situation is finally in view, and if we’re careful, we can put this pandemic in our rear-view mirror,” Lt. Governor/Secretary Toland said. “Our state’s economy is making monumental strides forward, and we expect the pace of economic growth to increase as we get back to a new normal.”

In 2020, the Kelly Administration broke the all-time capital investment record in Kansas with over $2.5 billion in new development invested by businesses.

Under the Kelly Administration, Kansas has closed 348 economic development projects, worth over $4.9 billion in capital investment, and created more than 23,000 new jobs.

Governor Kelly’s visits over the course of the week included:

Monday, April 12 – Wichita

• HM Dunn Aerosystems – Governor Kelly and Lt. Governor/Secretary Toland visited with aerospace industry professionals to discuss the future of aviation in Kansas.
• Wichita Workforce Center – Governor Kelly and Lt. Governor/Secretary Toland hosted a roundtable discussion with businesses using the KANSASWORKS system to fill positions in their organizations.

Tuesday, April 13 – Kansas City

• Wyandotte County Workforce Center – Governor Kelly and Lt. Governor/Secretary Toland continued the discussion on Kansas’ workforce needs and how the KANSASWORKS system can be a critical tool in getting Kansans back to work.
• Urban Outfitters Omnichannel Distribution Center – Governor Kelly and Lt. Governor/Secretary Toland visited the construction site for Urban Outfitters’ future Omnichannel Distribution Center in Kansas City

Thursday, April 15 – Humboldt/Chanute

• Monarch Cement – Governor Kelly and Lt. Governor/Secretary Toland met with the team at Monarch Cement to discuss the company’s 113 years of success in Kansas.
• Orizon Aerostructures – Governor Kelly and Lt. Governor/Secretary Toland traveled to Chanute to tour Orizon Aerostructures’ 200,000-sq-ft assembly complex.

Governor Kelly is continuing her travels across the state throughout the next two weeks, with the week of April 19 dedicated to healthcare and the week of April 26 focusing on education. These tours are designed to encourage and acknowledge Kansans’ return to a new normal while maintaining health and safety. Be sure to follow Governor Kelly’s Facebook and Twitter for information on this week’s tour and updates on future visits.