Kansas Department of Commerce reports 269 projects, about 5,300 jobs and $3.5 billion in private commitments in 2024

Chairs and members of the committee, Joshua Jefferson, deputy secretary of business development for the Kansas Department of Commerce, presented the agency’s year‑end business‑development review to the Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development. Jefferson said, “In 2024, we've had 269 successful projects ... created and retained just over 5,000 jobs of 5,306.” The department reported roughly $3.5 billion in committed private capital from those projects.

The presentation summarized activity across the department’s major incentive and workforce programs and highlighted both rural and urban project examples. Jefferson described PEAK (Promoting Employment Across Kansas), reporting 34 new PEAK agreements in 2024 and more than 200 active agreements the agency now manages. He said the average wage of jobs from the department’s reported projects exceeds the state median by about 15 percent.

Jefferson reviewed HPIP (High Performance Incentive Program), stating the program issued 63 initial project certifications and 360 certifications in FY2024, with estimated capital investment from those projects of about $7.3 billion. He listed multiple company examples in rural and metro counties that used HPIP or PEAK for expansions and relocations.

Other programs Jefferson summarized included the rural recruitment RAS program (which offers student‑loan assistance and an income‑tax credit), the Sunflower Summer tourism reimbursements (223 participating attractions, a reported 97% year‑over‑year increase), and the Love Kansas talent campaign (approximately 75 local events and 60 participating communities; the agency reported nearly 200,000 website views and tens of thousands of newsletter opt‑ins). Jefferson said the Job Creation Fund (JCF) awarded $13 million across six funded projects in the last year and that the program committed 693 new jobs; the department reported a reported return of “over $40” for every dollar invested in recent JCF awards.

The department also reviewed training programs (KIT and KIRB), the Starbond projects list (including the Amelia Earhart Museum and other tourism projects), the Angel Investor Tax Credit, the Office of Registered Apprenticeships created under the Kansas Apprenticeship Act and executive order 22‑07, and the Apex program used for large projects such as the Panasonic investment in Kansas. Jefferson summarized Integra Technologies’ previously negotiated Apex agreement and said the agreement’s timeframe passed while the company pursued CHIPS Act funding; Commerce said it has worked with Integra on a modified incentive proposal tied to more traditional incentives.

Committee members pressed the department for follow‑up details. Representative Christie Williams asked how the department defines and measures its stated performance goals; Jefferson said he would provide clarifying metrics. Senator Owens asked the department’s total Sunflower Summer budget; Jefferson said he did not have the figure on hand and would provide it. Senator Blue asked whether HPIP can be used to expand childcare facilities; Jefferson said he would examine program qualifiers and follow up. Representative Pat Pan requested documentation on JCF clawback usage and return‑on‑investment data; Jefferson said clawback provisions exist in incentive agreements and that the department has activated clawbacks on prior projects and recovered funds, and that he would supply more detailed records.

Jefferson corrected a slide arithmetic error for Community Development Block Grant totals during his remarks and gave the corrected total award amount. He closed by offering to follow up with the committee on requested clarifications and data.

The committee did not take formal votes on any items during the presentation; members requested additional documentation and follow‑up from Commerce staff.