Commerce’s Quality Places Division Awarded Two National Impact Awards

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the Kansas Department of Commerce has earned national recognition for its innovative approaches to economic and community development. The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) will bestow two Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Awards upon the agency for its inaugural Community Impact Tour and the transformation of the Quality Places Division.

The NADO Impact Awards annually honor regional development organizations and its partners for strengthening communities, building regional resilience and enhancing local economies. NADO is a Washington, D.C.-based membership association of regional development organizations.

“This recognition validates the bold steps we’ve taken to break down silos and reimagine how the state partners with communities,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “By integrating childcare, broadband, rural prosperity and placemaking under one roof, we’re not just streamlining programs — we’re building a foundation for lasting, locally driven success in every corner of Kansas.”

The Department of Commerce launched the Quality Places Division in 2024 as an effort to elevate quality-of-life initiatives and strengthen partnerships with local leaders. This restructuring represents a fundamental shift in how Kansas supports communities — merging infrastructure, planning and placemaking efforts into a unified strategy designed to build vibrant, resilient and economically competitive communities statewide.

The Quality Places Division now is home to Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Childcare, Housing and Placemaking efforts, Kansas Main Street, the Community Service Tax Credit Program, the Office of Broadband Development, and the Office of Rural Prosperity.

To celebrate National Community Development Week in April, the Quality Places Division launched a five-day, 26-stop, 2,100+ mile tour to highlight transformative projects across Kansas. The Community Impact Tour provided opportunities for state officials to engage with local stakeholders, celebrate community progress and showcase the real-world impact of the State’s strategic investments.

“The Quality Places team continues blazing new trails as we engage communities more directly and transform how we serve Kansans,” Assistant Secretary of Quality Places Matt Godinez said. “We are committed to listening to communities, investing in places where people want to live and work, and driving inclusive economic growth throughout Kansas. I couldn’t be prouder of the professionals I get to work with every day.”