LOVE KANSAS - Bringing People Home
Love, Kansas
Love, Kansas, a dynamic talent attraction campaign aimed at boosting Kansas’ population by inviting past residents to choose the Sunflower State as their future home. This national marketing initiative will highlight Kansas as an exceptional place to live, work and raise a family, with a special emphasis on “boomerangs” – individuals with previous ties to the state.
The campaign is spearheaded by KS Dept of Commerce and inspired by our Lt. Governor Toland’s personal journey back to Kansas that was inspired by a heartfelt phone call from a family friend about a job opportunity in his hometown of Iola.
“It’s simple: We need more humans in Kansas to keep up with the phenomenal economic growth our state is experiencing,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The best way to do that is to first approach Kansans who left the state for economic opportunities elsewhere and invite them to build a life in a place they know and have connections to, whether in their hometown or elsewhere in the state. And with the Love, Kansas campaign, we aren’t just extending an invitation to those who once called Kansas home to come back – we’re also inviting families from around the country to build their lives in the Sunflower State.”
Love, Kansas will focus on the state’s abundant job opportunities, high quality of life, excellent education system and affordable communities. The campaign will be driven at the local level but will strategically target key markets across the U.S., with a strong focus on digital and social media platforms. Influencer and journalist engagement, as well as targeted in-person events both within and outside of Kansas, will play a crucial role in reaching potential boomerangs.
During the launch event, it was announced that the first 70 communities to partner with Love, Kansas will be eligible for a $5,000 grant to assist in their efforts in attracting new residents to their community. Nineteen pilot communities and seven universities already have joined the initiative and are planning events that are aligned with the campaign’s theme. A primary goal is for communities across the state to do direct outreach to past residents they have a personal connection with, inviting them to return home.
“The collaboration already on display between so many partners underscores the enthusiasm for this campaign,” Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said. “There are so many amazing things happening in Kansas right now; Love, Kansas gives us the chance to let people throughout the country know about them.”
WaKeeney and Trego County have a lot to offer … We are here today to encourage you each to personally invite your friends to live in Kansas. Of course, we’d love for them to come home to WaKeeney/Trego county, but it’s good to have them back in Kansas. Share with them the things they already love that we can offer here in the Sunflower State. Weather it be arts, culture, food, peace & quiet, rural living, affordable housing, good schools, …..
WaKeeney Welcomes You Home! Love, Kansas WaKeeney has postcards to address and send to friends and family who don’t live here any more. The Postcards can be picked up at The Queen of Stars, Malay' Market and The City Building. Address your postcard, add a personal note if you choose, drop it at Santa's Mail Box at our very own North Pole and Santa will mail it for you. So start thinking about who you would like to move home and be your neighbor?
You may also see yard signs popping up . Happy to be Home in Kansas Kansas is my Home and Boomeranged * For more information about Love Kansas, you can go to LoveKansas.com or call WaKeeney Tourism at 743-8325
We all know.....Kansas - There's No Place Like Home !
