
Community & Economic Development
Harper County Community & Economic Development is an exceptional organization that will plan strategies to attract new businesses and encourage expansion and retention of existing businesses, look for recreational opportunities to improve the quality of life, identify educational resources in order to increase the labor pool with quality, job ready candidates, encourage travel to Harper County and help promote the agriculture industry.
Incentives
Harper County can partner with many State agencies to package different incentives and tax policies together to best fit your business needs.
Rural Opportunity Zone
Harper County is a Rural Opportunity Zone. People who move to Harper County after July 1, 2011 and meet the qualifications of the program can be eligible for State Income Tax Waivers for up to 5 years. Harper County will not support the Student Loan Repayment program after 2019. Other Harper County employers could provide the matching repayment portion for the program to help recruit qualified job applicants if they so choose.
Economic Development Exemption - EDX Property Tax Abatement
Harper County and Cities may exempt real property from ad valorem taxation (property taxes). The tax abatement can include all or any portion of the appraised buildings, land and improvements. A total or partial tax abatement may be in effect for up to 10 years after the calendar year in which the business commences its operations. Any property tax abatement is the decision of the City Council or County Commissioners. Properties that may qualify include any buildings, land, and tangible personal property used exclusively by a new business for a) manufacturing b) research and development, or c) the storing of goods traded in interstate commerce. Also, an exemption may be given for existing buildings or new expansions to existing buildings, and for the land and associated new personal property, for these same purposes, to facilitate the expansion of the business, if new employment is created.
Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs):
Industrial Revenue Bonds can be issued by a City or the County. A business can use IRB's as a low cost tool to help finance their projects. In addition, the bonds allow for a reduction or abatement of the property taxes created by the increased value of the project.
Property Tax Rebate Programs
Harper County Community Housing Rebate Program
This program is intended to promote the economic development of Harper County by stimulating new residential construction and rehabilitation. A tax rebate incentive based on the incremental increase of qualified improvements will be available to residential property owners in Harper County, Kansas.
Program Information and Application
Commercial Ad Valorem Tax Rebate Program
This program is intended to promote the economic development of Harper County by stimulating new Commercial construction and rehabilitation. A tax rebate incentive based on the incremental increase of qualified improvements will be available to commercial and industrial property owners in Harper County, Kansas.
Program Information and Application
SPARK
Watch this section for news impacting Harper County as it concerns the governor’s task force for Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK).
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Helpful Document
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Harper County Resource Guide (PDF) - a listing of services and resources available to Harper County families and individuals as of August 2019
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Harper guía de recursos del Condado (PDF) - lista de servicios y recursos disponibles para familias del Condado de Harper y los individuos a partir de mayo de 2016
This years guide has hyperlinks in the Table of Contents (ToC) and also Bookmarks. This means when you are viewing the Resource Guide, you may click on the topic heading in the ToC and you will be automatically taken there. Bookmarks work very similarly, but you have to open the bookmarks in your PDF viewer. If you are using Adobe PDF Reader, the bookmarks are on the left under an icon that somewhat resembles a bookmark.
RURAL OPPORTUNITY ZONES
Kansas Department of Commerce - Rural Development
Rural Opportunity Zone Program of the State of Kansas
The Rural Opportunity Zone Program facilitates the population growth of rural Kansas communities in 50 designated counties through the use of tax relief and student loan reimbursement. Under this program, qualified individuals could be eligible to receive Kansas state income tax abatements and student loan reimbursements provided by both the county and state on a matched basis. The director of the Rural Development Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce is responsible for the program. The director establishes criteria, subject to the provisions of the statute, to determine eligibility of resident individuals.
Rural Opportunity Zones
View the Rural Opportunity Zone Map to see the counties participating in the student loan program.
Helpful Links
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Frequently Asked Questions - Updated July 19, 2011