TOPEKA (KSNT) – A Kansas program designed to funnel new faces into rural counties is getting a major overhaul.
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce (KDC) David Toland says the Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZ) program is being updated to increase participation. The program helps people moving to rural Kansas counties with student loan repayments to the tune of up to $15,000.
People who qualify for the program must have an associate degree or higher and move to a designated ROZ county they haven’t lived in for the preceding two years. Prior to the recent update, applicants had to live elsewhere for the preceding five years to be eligible.
Patrick Lowry, a spokesman for the KDC, said in a press release that language in the ROZ program is being clarified to help new applicants. For example, rural residents who lived in a dorm room or apartment during college and kept their permanent address on their driver’s license as their parent’s address will no longer be denied entry to the program when they return to their home community after graduation.
“Kansas is ranked one of the top states in the nation for higher education, but then loses too many graduates who pursue career opportunities in other states,” Toland said. “Ensuring more students can utilize the Student Loan Repayment Program is critical to keeping and bringing our young talent back to their rural communities. These updates will make Kansas a more financially attractive option for graduates.”
The updated rules are aimed at making the ROZ program easier for people to apply to, especially for those who have completed required internships, practicums and residencies or traveling nurses. There is now also an expanded pool of eligible sponsors for the program including employers, foundations, cities, chambers of commerce, Main Street organizations and other community or economic development groups.
“We want to be able to incentivize these highly trained individuals to stay in our rural communities after they complete their training or education,” said Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity Director Trisha Purdon. “With so many students required to complete internships as part of their education, extending ROZ eligibility to include professional practicum experiences will help provide them with long-term employment opportunities in Kansas.”
Lowry says the program will continue to offer a 100% state income tax credit if applicants have not lived in Kansas or received a Kansas-based income for the last five years. People can apply to the ROZ program from Jan. 1 through to Sept. 30 by using this link.
A virtual webinar to explain the ins and outs of the program will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 25. You can register for this by clicking here.
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