Kansas Offers $1.5M to Transform Vacant, Underutilized Downtown Buildings

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that $1.5 million is available for a seventh round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) program grants to revitalize dilapidated and underutilized downtown buildings in Kansas communities. The grants help close the financial gaps for communities of all sizes striving...

New Commerce Grant to Boost Youth Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the launch of the Kansas Office of Apprenticeship State Grant, a new funding opportunity designed to strengthen and expand Registered Apprenticeship programs across Kansas. The new grant will support both new and existing apprenticeship programs while promoting opportunities for youth...

Three Commerce Programs Receive 2026 NADO Impact Awards

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that three Department of Commerce programs were selected as recipients of the 2026 Aliceann Wohlbruck NADO Impact Award. The awards from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) recognize the innovative efforts that are strengthening Kansas communities through housing, community...

Kansas Commerce Earns Eight National Economic Development Awards

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce today announced the Department of Commerce has earned eight 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This marks another year of remarkable recognition for Kansas economic development initiatives, which included two gold awards, five silver awards and one...

Geometric Art Exhibition

Offered by: Confluence Community | Deadline/Expiration: November 15, 2026 — Geometric Squares, circles, triangles, grids, symmetry, repetition, angles, patterns, and unexpected arrangements of form. Work can be precise and mathematical, bold and graphic, minimal and restrained, or completely abstract. Geometry can be found in architecture, nature, everyday objects, design, photography,...

U.S. Engineering Metalworks Expands Lawrence Manufacturing Operations

Kansas Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Joshua Jefferson today announced U.S. Engineering Metalworks has expanded it Lawrence operations with the opening of a new 110,000-square-foot production facility at Lawrence VenturePark. The company’s $25 million investment is expected to add approximately 30 positions in its first year and another 20 within...

Kansas Arts Commission Open Applications for New State Poet Laureate

The Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) today announced that applications for the next Poet Laureate of Kansas currently are being accepted. The Poet Laureate serves as Kansas’ leading voice for poetry, connecting communities through workshops, lectures and other public programs. “Arts and culture play an important role in advancing the quality...

New Opportunities at KANSASWORKS Virtual Statewide Job Fair

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland invites jobseekers and employers to take part in the September Virtual Statewide Job Fair, hosted by KANSASWORKS, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, September 24. “Our monthly KANSASWORKS Virtual Statewide Job Fairs are designed to give Kansans a platform to discover...

Commerce Seeks Individual Development Account (IDA) Administrators

A perfect neighbourhood. Houses in suburb at Spring in the north America. Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the Department of Commerce is seeking qualified community-based organizations to administer Individual Development Account (IDA) programs. These programs are designed to reduce both the number of Kansans receiving...

Commerce Launches Unique Grant Program to Transform a Downtown Block

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the launch of the Building Local Opportunity through Coordinated Kansas Investment (BLOCK) program, a competitive placemaking initiative designed to help one Kansas community dramatically transform the appearance of a downtown block. A total of $500,000 is available through this pilot...