Issue Position: Manufacturing

Issue Position

Rural Kansans are legendary for their work ethic, ingenuity and ability to solve problems, which is why scores of manufacturers still call rural Kansas home. But their continued presence is threatened by a lack of access to young people with the skills needed in today's economy, and Brownback-Colyer's dismantling of the Kansas Department of Commerce, which has left the agency and its local economic development partners with almost no tools to recruit or retain manufacturers. The Kelly Administration will put a laser-like focus on growing the manufacturing sector in rural Kansas by:

Building a highly skilled labor pool.We must invest in career and technical education that leverages creative partnerships between employers, USDs and higher education to grow and retain talented young people interested in manufacturing.

Facilitating Retention and Recruitment Efforts. Encouraging expansion and capital investment by manufacturers is vitally important, and it requires smart tools if we are to be successful in a highly competitive national and international recruitment environment. The Kelly Administration will focus on renewal and rebuilding of the state's economic development tools and expertise in order to grow advanced manufacturing in Kansas. These new tools will be available to both existing and new manufacturers and the creation of the tools will be informed by a strong public/private partnership.

Source