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Fists in Solidarity

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
  1. Housing Rebate Program Application

  2. Housing Rebate Program Policy

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
  1. Commercial Ad Valorem Rebate Program Application

  2. Commercial Ad Valorem Rebate Program Policy

SPARK

Watch this section for news impacting Harper County as it concerns the governor’s task force for Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK).

Prescription Card Program

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RESOURCE DIRECTORY

Helpful Document

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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