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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.

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Kari O'Riley

Meet Kari

Kari O’Riley moved to Harper County with her husband in the fall of 2022, and in February of 2023 Kari joined Harper County as the Community Development Director. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, with an emphasis in Tourism Management and received a Professional Event Management Certificate (PEMC). Kari is a remarkable event and program coordinator who has worked with private clients and community event planners. With her experience, she has successfully collaborated with local downtown businesses and organizations to establish a strong local business presence, promote community engagement, and achieve economic growth in the region, leading to increased commerce.


Harper County Community Development is here to empower and enhance businesses and community members across the county. 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.

 

Kari's objective is to promote the prosperity of Harper County. She plans to achieve this by providing support to established businesses, promoting new business ventures, encouraging tourism, preserving the county's distinctive character, and enhancing the quality of life here in Harper County. Her efforts are aimed at not only retaining the existing community but also attracting new inhabitants to Harper County.

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Incentives

Harper County can partner with many State agencies to package different incentives and tax policies together to best fit your business needs.

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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.

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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

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.

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