Commissioners approve county renewal in state Rural Opportunity Zone program

Brown County commissioners voted unanimously to continue the county’s participation as a sponsor in the Kansas Rural Opportunity Zone program by approving Resolution 2025-06.

Caitlin (presenter identified by staff) explained the program reimburses qualifying residents’ student-loan payments and is administered through the Kansas Department of Commerce. Under the arrangement described in the meeting, the state provides $1,500 per year per approved participant (up to a maximum award), and Brown County’s current sponsorship budget of $6,000 supports up to four recipients annually. The presenter said the county’s participation allows employers in the county to use the state program for recruitment; if the county does not pass a resolution, employers cannot act as local sponsors.

Commissioners asked procedural questions about eligibility, order of applications (first-come, first-served), and whether local residents who return after college are eligible; staff said recent program changes now allow county residents who graduated elsewhere to qualify. The board moved, seconded, and approved Resolution 2025-06 as presented.

Ending: The county will remain an active sponsor in the Rural Opportunity Zone program and keep the line-item budgeted to support up to four recipients per year.