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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 Merck Animal Health Investing $895M in De Soto Plant Expansion May 08, 2025 View All

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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. 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. Commerce Launches Grant to Promote Rural Opportunities in Kansas Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the launch of the WorKS: Public Broadcasting Grant. Commerce Awards Over $4 Million in CDBG Grants to Kansas Communities Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that more than $4.1 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding has been awarded for 12 projects across Kansas. View All

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Kansas Community Empowerment

Kansas Community Empowerment

Stronger communities start here.

The Kansas Community Empowerment Program supports volunteer-led efforts to revitalize, inspire, strengthen, and elevate communities across Kansas. Backed by the Kansas Department of Commerce, this program provides tools, training, and funding that help local leaders turn great ideas into lasting impact. Whether it’s downtown beautification, civic engagement, or leadership development, we’re here to help your community move from intention to action—and from action to transformation.

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Latest News from KCE

Stay up to date with the latest developments across the KCE communities. Here, you will find announcements about upcoming events, groundbreaking projects, new grant opportunities, and recent awards aimed at supporting community growth, new ideas, and strengthening connections across Kansas.

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Evergy Energy Tip – February
February 3

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…

Evergy Energy Tip – January
January 5

Evergy Energy Tip – January

Saving Energy at Home: Getting Kids Involved  It’s never too early to teach kids about saving energy, instilling good habits that’ll last throughout their lives. Plus, the cooped-up-inside winter months are the perfect time…

Evergy Energy Tip – December
December 3

Evergy Energy Tip – December

Save Energy this Holiday Season  Between the colder weather, holiday lighting, and extra cooking, the holidays can mean more energy…

Special Enrollment Period Opens for Kansas Community Empowerment Program
December 3

Special Enrollment Period Opens for Kansas Community Empowerment Program

The Kansas Community Empowerment (KCE) Special Enrollment Period is now officially open, offering communities across the state an opportunity to…

KPI Monthly Board Meeting
November 24

KPI Monthly Board Meeting

The Kansas Pride Inc. Board, doing business as Kansas Community Empowerment, will hold its regular monthly board meeting on December…

Evergy Energy Tip – November
November 7

Evergy Energy Tip – November

Prepare Your Home for Winter Temps  It’s been a little cooler lately. Now is the perfect time to prepare your…

Evergy Energy Tip – October
October 1

Evergy Energy Tip – October

Unplug ‘Energy Vampires’ and Save on Your Bill  Did you know there are appliances in your home that consume electricity…

Evergy Energy Tip – September
August 26

Evergy Energy Tip – September

Keep Your Air Conditioning Working Smoothly We’re used to hot summers – and even falls – in the Midwest, but…

Commerce Launches New Chapter of Kansas Community Empowerment Program
July 3

Commerce Launches New Chapter of Kansas Community Empowerment Program

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the Kansas Department of Commerce has assumed the administration of…

New Enrollment Process

Powerpoint Slides

Recorded Public Hearing

Enrollment Guidelines

Enrollment Form

Deadline December 31, 2025
Community of GrowthCommunity of ActionCommunity of Excellence
VolunteersMinimum (3)Minimum (5)Communities < 3,000, Minimum (5)
Communities > 3,000, Minimum (10) +
2 external members
Annual GoalsMinimum (1)Minimum (3)Minimum (5)
Meetings per YearMinimum (1)Minimum (2)Minimum (4)
Community AssessmentRecommended every 3-5 years, not requiredRequired within 6 months of enrollment and updated every 5 yearsRequired within 6 months of enrollment and updated every 3 years
Annual Project–Minimum (1) project valued at $500Minimum (1) project valued at $1,000
ReportingTwice per YearTwice per YearTwice per Year
Grants EligibilityKickstart Grants (up to $2,000)Kickstart Grants (up to $5,000)Kickstart + Impact Grants
($2,000-$15,000)
KCE Summit AccessDay SessionsDay SessionsDay Sessions +
Evening Reception
Events & HostingInvited to Pop-UpsInvited to Pop-Ups +
Eligible to host board meetings and pop-ups		Invited to Pop-Ups +
Eligible to host board meetings and pop-ups
Special RecognitionAnnual AwardsAnnual AwardsAnnual Awards +
Opportunity to be on Community Impact Tour
Resources & TrainingYesYesYes

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Sara Bloom

Quality Places Manager

(785) 506-9278[email protected]

Katelynn Kolterman

Operations & Logistics Coordinator

(785) 559-1640[email protected]

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

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