An Evaluation of the Kansas Department of Commerce Industrial Development Division Industrial Recruitment Activities.

Abstract

Kansas has engaged in industrial recruitment activities since at least the mid-1960s. At that time, recruitment and other industrial development activities resided within the Kansas Department of Economic Development. The 1986 legislative session reorganized functions of the Department of Economic Development into the newly established Department of Commerce.

The basic recruitment functions of the Industrial Development Division (ID) felt little immediate effect of the reorganization. However since that time the Division has experienced several changes in responsibilities and programs. In terms of responsibilities, international recruitment functions have been moved to the Trade Division and research functions have been moved from ID to a centralized research group within the Administration Division of KDOC. In terms of programs, the Division has established a target industry approach, and initiated regional industrial tours.

At least one of the Division's new programs stems from recommendations of the Redwood/Krider report on Kansas economic development. The report recommended that:

The Kansas Department of Economic Development should implement a marketing program aimed at targeted industries.

The report suggested that: KDED [now KDOC] take the initiative in 'selling' Kansas to this specific set of targeted industries... Such a targeted market and program is essential if Kansas is to take the initiative in attracting growth firms in the state. 1