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Motivated. Educated. Highly-Rated.

MOTIVATED.

Envision your company thriving in one of the nation’s most forward-thinking, business-friendly cities. Over the past few years while other communities stumbled, Topeka and Shawnee County announced new projects involving 2,800 new and retained jobs and $695 million in capital investments since 2009. We encourage new direction and growth and also offer solutions to help businesses succeed. In Topeka, it’s not business as usual.

A Culture of Innovation. We’re not only bold in business, it’s in our culture to grow and prosper. In fact Topeka and Shawnee County are currently involved in an ambitious community-wide visioning program to foster and sustain outstanding quality of life. Major projects of our Heartland Visioning Initiative are currently underway. It’s in the air, it’s already started and we’re ready for you. Download Future of Topeka Brochure.

Diversify. Diversify. Diversify. Topeka is home to a diverse mix of industries from manufacturing and financial services to healthcare and government. Our broad range of experience allows us to grow and prosper in different areas without being vulnerable to specific industry downtrends.

You asked for it- And we delivered. You asked for shovel-ready sites and we delivered- not once but twice. GO Topeka owns Central Crossing Commerce Park and the all-new Kanza Fire Commerce Park. Two prime areas to expand or relocate your company.
 

EDUCATED.

Smart, hardworking individuals gravitate to Topeka. A combination of unparalleled educational opportunities nearby and a thriving business community have made Topeka a strong player in human capital. Young professionals are a valuable community asset. Their energy, new ideas and fresh perspective are contagious. That’s why in Topeka young professionals are invited, and engaged, in every major initiative of this community and will be here to keep the community moving forward in coming decades.

The Talent. Within 60 miles of Topeka, you have access to a highly educated workforce with 13,500 students graduating annually from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Emporia State University, and Washburn University. In addition, our workforce is highly educated with 36.6% of adults over the age 25 holding a Bachelor’s degree compared to 24.4% nationally. (U.S. Census, 2005-2009 ACS)

• Workforce training and grants are available through Topeka’s strong partnerships with government, economic development
   organizations and educational institutions.
• The State of Kansas offers incentives for qualified companies including workforce assistance/training funds.
• Promoting Employment Across Kansas (PEAK) offers qualified companies the ability to retain 95 percent of their payroll withholding tax for up to 5-7 years.

For more specific information on state incentives visit the Kansas Department of Commerce website at KansasCommerce.com/kbiz.

Creating the Workforce of the Future. GO Topeka’s Entrepreneurial and Minority Business Development (EMBD)Program, Topeka Public Schools Unified School District No. 501 and the global firm Yaskawa Motoman Robotics have partnered to offer Topeka/Shawnee County the nation’s first secondary education course in industrial robotics. Upon completion of this course, students earn a basic industry-recognized certification to operate and program industrial robots. As the program grows, GO Topeka will continue to strengthen corporate partnerships with local public schools and create shadowing, on-the-job training and/or real time career exploration scenarios with existing businesses. Learn more about Topeka’s Robotics Program. Twenty Million Dollars for a Twenty-First Century Vision. The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $20 million to an innovative consortium of seven (7) public institutions of higher education who are committed to providing workers across the state that support the nation’s competitiveness in a global workforce. Topeka’s own Washburn Institute of Technology will benefit from this grant as well as the existing and future businesses of Topeka and Shawnee County. Read More on Our 21st Century Workforce.

HIGHLY-RATED.

Picture yourself immersed in part of a cultural explosion that has everyone from Kiplinger’s to Business Facilities ranking Topeka in their lists of Top Ten Cities. These high rankings have to do with our intelligent, capable workforce, our innovative ideas and our collaborative business community.Topeka and Shawnee County encourage a return on your investment by offering state and local incentives for conducting business here and by keeping your operating costs low. When doing business is affordable, doing great is attainable.

• Our cost of doing business is 14% lower than the national average. (Moody’s)
• State and local taxes are 11% lower than the national average. (Moody’s)
• Aggressive local incentives based on the quality of jobs, and state incentives including state income tax credits.
• Our cost of living consistently ranks 8% to 10% lower than the national average. (ACCRA)
• Energy costs are 30% lower than the national average. (Moody’s)
• All machinery and equipment are exempt from personal property tax.
• GO Topeka can facilitate up to a ten-year property tax exemption on real property in Shawnee County.

The Heart. The Soul. The Center. Because Topeka and Shawnee County consistently rank below the national average for cost of living some of our greatest assets cant be measured in dollars and cents. The vitality of Topeka can be seen on rich display within our vibrant arts community, our parks and recreation and our community spirit and pride. We are centrally located, which perhaps has made us more grounded, more even-keeled with an exceptional work ethic. We’re rooted in our Midwestern values of a job well done and if these attributes mirror your company’s ambitions, we should talk.