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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES FUND

Fiscal Year 2013 Recommendations

The primary recipients of monies from the Economic Development Initiatives Fund (EDIF) in Fiscal Year 2013 (July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013) will be the Kansas Department of Commerce, the Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, the state's aviation sector through grants to Wichita State University, and the Kansas Board of Regents. In addition to the EDIF appropriation to Commerce, the agency will also receive EDIF transfers of $5 million for the State Affordable Airfare Fund and $2 million for the new Air Service Incentive Fund.

The recommendations for FY 2013 are described in detail by agency and by program below:

KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Operating Grant. The operating grant from the EDIF supports Commerce's traditional programs, including the Kansas Industrial Training and Retraining programs in its Workforce Services Division and financing the business recruitment efforts of the Business Development Division.

Older Kansans Employment Program. This program is designed to provide Kansans 55 and over with an employment placement service. The emphasis is on providing permanent full-time or part-time jobs in the private sector.

Senior Community Service Employment Program. This program provides skill training through subsidized part-time employment for Kansans aged 55 and older who are at or below the poverty line.

Strong Military Bases Program. This program supports ongoing efforts of the Governor's Military Council to prevent the closure or downsizing of the state's military bases, which play an important role in the state's economy. The program also focuses on growing private sector industries in areas around the state's military bases.

Rural Opportunity Zones Program. This program helps attract financial investment, business development and job growth in rural areas of the state. It offers qualifying individuals who relocate from outside the state to one of 50 counties that have been designed as Rural Opportunity Zones to be exempted from paying state income taxes for up to five years and provides for student loan forgiveness.

Governor's Council of Economic Advisors.   The Council coordinates strategic planning and economic resources, evaluates state policites and agency performances, and conducts research on topics such as Kansas' basic industries, tax competitiveness, and regulatory structure.

Innovation Growth Program. This program operates the grant programs previously managed by the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation. It leverages the state's innovation-based assets into partnerships with the private sector to create economic wealth for Kansas and helps small businesses use innovative processes and technologies to grow revenue and create jobs. It also manages the Small Technology Pilot Program that helps target and recruit small technology-based companies to Kansas.

Creative Industries Commission. The Commission focuses on economic and workforce development efforts to expand the creative industries of Kansas, including the arts and film industries.

Kansas State Fair Study. This study will analyze moving the start date of the Kansas State Fair to include the Labor Day weekend in its annual ten-day event. Among the issues considered will be the effect on attendance, revenues, vendors and the community.

BOARD OF REGENTS

Vocational Education Capital Outlay. Grants are distributed to community colleges and the vocational and technical institutions to purchase equipment for training purposes. A 50 percent match from the institution is required.

Technology Innovation & Internship. The grants go to community colleges and vocational/technical institutions so that instructors may intern for short periods in private industry, keeping their skills up to date. The grants also fund innovative equipment for student training.

EPSCoR Program. The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program combines federal and state dollars for research in science and engineering at the universities.

Community College Competitive Grants. This program requires a local match to develop innovative programs with private companies needing specific job skills or to meet other industry needs that cannot be addressed with current funding streams.

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Extension System and Agriculture Research Program's Cooperative Extension Program. This funding is used for support of the program's general operations.

WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY

Aviation Training & Equipment. The state is a partner with Wichita aviation companies, the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County in the development of the National Center for Aviation Training. The Center trains thousands for high paying jobs in the aviation industry. State funding is administered by Wichita State University to provide equipment and assistance fitting with the program's curriculum.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agriculture Marketing Program. This program promotes the development of value-added agricultural products, and advances agricultural-based economic and rural development.

DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE & PARKS

Tourism Division. The Tourism Division is responsible for the general promotion of Kansas, administration of travel information centers in Goodland and Belle Plaine, and publication of Kansas! magazine. The division works with Wildlife and Parks programs to promote Kansas as the country's premier outdoor destination.

Parks Program.  This funding is used for support of the program's general operations.
 
Source: Some information in this report was taken from the Governor's Budget Report, State of Kansas, Fiscal Year 2013.

If you have questions or need additional information, please call the Director of Public Affairs at the Kansas Lottery at 1-785-296-5708.