Under Gov. Kelly, Kansas Earns Prestigious Gold Shovel Award for Second Year in A Row

Thanks to Gov. Kelly’s leadership, Area Development magazine has once again awarded the state of Kansas with the prestigious Gold Shovel award for economic development.

This marks the second year in a row Kansas has received the award, which recognizes states for attracting high-value investment projects that create a significant number of new jobs in their communities.

Since the start of Gov. Kelly’s time in office, Kansas has received nearly $8.8 billion in new business investments, created and retained nearly 43,000 jobs, and has been home to 645 new economic development projects.

Kelly’s fiscally responsible and pro-growth leadership is a stark contrast to the Brownback era in Kansas when he and Derek Schmidt backed radical policies that blew up the state budget, underfunded schools and tanked the economy.

“After years of hurting from the failures of Sam Brownback and Derek Schmidt, Kansas’ economy has more opportunity than ever before— Thanks to Gov. Kelly,” said DGA Deputy Communications Director Sam Newton. “By working with both parties to invest in capital development, fully fund schools, and axe the food tax, Gov. Kelly continues to score big wins for Kansas families and businesses.”