Commerce Launches Two New Kansas Community Empowerment Grants

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the launch of two new grant opportunities through the Kansas Community Empowerment (KCE) program. KCE, which is housed within the Quality Places Division at the Department of Commerce, supports locally driven projects that strengthen quality of place, volunteer engagement and...

Gamechangers & Champions Event to Feature Startup Pitch Competition, Networking

The Kansas Department of Commerce, in partnership with NXTUS, Inc. and KU Innovation Park, announced today it will host Gamechangers & Champions 2026: Bracket Bash for Innovators and Angels in March. The high-energy event will bring together startups and angel investors, along with corporate and innovation leaders from across the...

Upper Floor Housing Coming to Two Kansas Main Street Communities

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced two Kansas Main Street communities have been awarded funding through the Residential Opportunities On Main Street (ROOMS) program. Projects in El Dorado and Seneca will receive $50,000 each to create a total of 18 new residential units in the upper...

Opportunity Zones 2.0

Opportunity Zones are designated low-income census tracts where investors can receive federal tax incentives for making long-term investments. Investments must be made through a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) and support qualifying activities, such as development, redevelopment, business growth, mixed-use development, and more. The intent is to encourage long-term capital investments...

Governor Kelly Celebrates Joe Walsh, Other Kansas Artists at Governor’s Arts Awards

Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) at the Kansas Department of Commerce announced the recipients of the 2026 Kansas Governor’s Arts Awards at its annual ceremony Monday, February 2, at the Docking State Office Building in Topeka.  “Thanks to the dedicated individuals and organizations in our state who make our communities more vibrant, the arts are thriving in...

Evergy Energy Tip - February

Save Energy Year-Round with a Smart Thermostat  A smart thermostat is a powerful tool that can help you cut energy costs and stay comfortable in every season. Here are a few ways a smart thermostat can pay off.  You can schedule your home’s temperature from a smart phone while you are away, so your home will be the...

2026 Governor's Arts Award Recipients

2026 Governor's Arts Awards Recipients Awarded February 2, 2026, at the Docking Building in Topeka Go to the main Governor's Arts Awards page THE GOVERNOR'S AWARD Joe Walsh Born in Wichita in 1947, Joe Walsh has long stood among America’s most distinctive and influential rock musicians, celebrated for his guitar...

KCE Kickstart and Impact Grants

Informational Webinar Commerce will host an informational webinar on the KCE Kickstart and Impact Grants on Wednesday, January 18, 2026 at Noon. This session will provide an overview of funding opportunities, eligibility requirements, application criteria, and timeline expectations. Registration is required. REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR Apply Now The KCE Kickstart...

Kansas Tourism Shares Video Campaign Celebrating Kansas’ 165th Birthday

Today, January 29, Kansas is celebrating its 165th birthday. To mark this milestone, Kansas Tourism has released a new video showcasing all things Kansas — from iconic scenes to unexpected adventures. The video continues the annual tradition of bringing Kansas Day celebrations out of the classroom and onto social media...