KEY QUOTE: Kelly told those assembled that since she took office in January 2019, her administration has worked with private sector businesses to create and retain more than 50,000 jobs. "That's a milestone worth celebrating. Fifty thousand jobs represent 50,000 opportunities for Kansans across the state to achieve their dreams and provide greater futures for themselves and their families," Gov. Kelly said. "This is on top of a 2.5 percent unemployment rate, one of the lowest in state history."

Kelly lauds state's economic development during Salina speech

Kelly said that the jobs and unemployment rate, combined with record-setting levels of new private sector investment "underscore the strength of the Kansas economy now and into the future." The governor praised the Kansas Department of Commerce, led by Lieutenant Governor David Toland, closing more than 750 economic development projects representing more than $14 billion in capital investment.

"For the past two years, Kansas has won the prestigious Gold Shovel Award for excellence in attracting high-value investment projects that created a significant number of new jobs in our communities," Kelly said. "And, Kansas won the Governor's Cup for being the state with the most economic development investment per capita in the country. Kansas is No. 1 right now!"

Kelly talked about the largest private-sector investment in state history: Panasonic's $4 billion new electric vehicle battery facility in DeSoto, which was announced in July. The facility will employ 4,000 workers and create another 4,000 permanent jobs at suppliers and community businesses, she said. Additionally, 16,500 people will be hired for the construction phase.

The "thriving business climate" is due to the state following its Framework for Growth Plan that was launched in 2021. "It addressed current and future trends in our state and created a roadmap for developing several key Kansas industries, including aviation, agriculture, biotechnology, and animal health," she said.