Business Facilities - April 2008 - (Page 43)

HELP FOR RURAL KANSAS Also in December, KDOC announced two new loan programs to help agriculture producers who are developing agritourism operations or transitioning to non-traditional crop or livestock production. The two loan programs—the Agritourism Attraction Development Loan Program and the Diversified Farm and Specialty Production Loan Program—are designed to encourage diversification among Kansas rural producers, who are increasingly incorporating non-traditional activities and production lines into their traditional operations as a way to generate additional income. One month after the announcement of the loan programs, KDOC made another stride toward assisting rural communities attract and grow business when it unveiled the Office of Rural Opportunity (ORO). The announcement was made at Sterling College in Sterling, KS, which has volunteered office space, faculty assistance, and other resources to the new entity. Other offices, including the Kansas Small Business Development Center, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, and Network Kansas, will work closely with the ORO. The creation of the office was suggested by Gov. Sebelius’ Rural Life Task Force in 2006. The governor endorsed the plan as part of her 2007 Rural Initiative, and the ORO was created by the 2007 Kansas Legislature. The ORO is designed to be a contact point for rural communities to develop strategic plans to attract businesses, workers, and investment. The ORO is currently operating solely out of Sterling College but will soon include offices at Colby Community College, Neosho County Community College, and a yet-to-be-determined location in southwest Kansas, with a regional representative assigned to each location. The colleges have all volunteered office space and other resources to the new entity, which has kept start-up costs to a minimum. Great business climate, great schools, low taxes, strong workforce, planned growth – they all contribute to making Overland Park the leading suburban business community in the Midwest. www.opedc.org e leading suburban business community in the Midwest. #3409 at www.BusinessFacilities.com BUSINESS FACILITIES 43 http://www.opedc.org http://www.opedc.org http://www.BusinessFacilities.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Business Facilities - April 2008

Business Facilities - April 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots Corporate Moves: Ohio Businesses On the Move Corporate Moves: Nebraska If You Build It, They Will Come A Tale of Two Industries Economic Transformation In the Islands Diversity: A New York State of Mind Growing in the Sun Key Kansas Industries Get a Boost How To Choose the Right Commercial Real Estate Broker Missouri Downtowns Dare to Dream Advertiser Index Ask the Expert

Business Facilities - April 2008

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