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K-State 105 reports first-year results: 408 jobs affected, 415 businesses helped across all 105 counties
Summary
K-State 105 presented its first-year report to the joint commerce committee, saying a $5 million state investment produced measurable outcomes across Kansas: 408 jobs created or retained, 415 businesses established or expanded, training for 546 employees, partnerships with 225 organizations and $5.5 million in matching funds.
Jessica Nadd, the manager of K‑State 105, told a joint House and Senate commerce committee that the statewide initiative’s first year — funded with a $5 million state investment — produced measurable local economic outcomes in all 105 Kansas counties.
“K State 105 is a practical action oriented initiative designed to address the unique needs of Kansans,” Jessica said. She told committee members the program directed 47% of first-year resources to business and entrepreneur support, 26% to technical assistance and workforce development, 18% to community engagement and 4% to educational expertise and research. Altogether, she said, 94% of first‑year funding went directly to Kansas communities.
Nadd provided headline results from year one: 408 jobs created or retained (82 new jobs and 326 retained jobs), 415 businesses established or expanded (130 new businesses and 285 expanding businesses), 546 employees trained, and more than $5.5 million in partner matching funds that more than doubled the state’s initial investment. K‑State 105 reported working with 225 partners statewide, including higher‑education, community college and technical‑school collaborators and a statewide backbone of K‑State Research and Extension present in all 105 counties.
Nadd highlighted collaborative projects with Network Kansas under an Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative that funded 11 community-driven projects. Examples included a Caldwell workspace and commercial kitchen in Sumner County, equipment purchases for the Ignite Innovation Center in Great Bend, and a “Side Gig Studio” in Wetmore to help residents turn digital side businesses into primary income sources.
The presentation emphasized partnership and leverage: 47 units within K‑State participated, and 18 higher‑education partners joined projects that connected university research, commercialization and extension services to local community needs. Committee members requested follow‑up and were invited to ask questions after the session.
K‑State 105 leaders said most projects remain in early stages and they will scale successful pilots across the state. The presentation closed with a request to sustain and expand funding to continue the program’s work.
