Page 47 - FDI Alliance International Magazine | September 2018 1

Jeffrey William Colyer, is an American surgeon and Visit Westport to follow historical trail markers and ex- And don’t forget the state’s historic farm and cattle
the 47th Governor of Kansas. A Republican, he plore the oldest neighborhood in the city—another towns - places like Dodge City, Garden City, Salina,
served as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of Kansas former starting line for Westward expansion. Hays and Great Bend - that have made Kansas the
since 2011, as a member of the Kansas Senate from Kansas was one of the most productive agricul- Heartland of America and one of the most prolific
2009 to 2011, and in the Kansas House of Repre- tural states, producing high yields of wheat, corn, agricultural regions on earth.
sentatives from 2007 to 2009. sorghum, and soybeans. Kansas, which has an
area of 82,278 square miles (213,100 km2) Governor Colyer has worked tirelessly to create a
Kansas is a Midwestern state Its capital is Topeka and is the 15th-largest state by area and is the 34th Kansas tax environment that fosters growth amongst
its largest city is Wichita. Kansas embodies the U.S. most-populous of the 50 states with a population of the state’s leading job-creators: small businesses.
heartland with its Great Plains setting of rolling wheat 2,911,641. Residents of Kansas are called Kansans. As a result of this work, Kansas small businesses
fields. The Museum of World Treasures in Wichita, Mount Sunflower is Kansas’s highest point at 4,041 are now growing by a faster percentage than all of
the state’s largest city, covers world history from di- feet. the bordering states and the national average. This
nosaurs to Elvis, while the open-air Old Cowtown is critical, as most Kansans work for small business.
Museum traces the city’s pioneer past. In nearby ansas alongside great schools, a low cost of living In tax year 2013, more than 8,600 first-time small
Hutchinson, the Cosmosphere displays the Russian and vibrant communities, Kansas enjoy an aston- business filers brought more than $486 million in
Vostok and Apollo 13 spacecrafts. ishing quality of life. Kansas cities offer an array of new income to the state. The old tax system pun-
Year round, visitors can check out the National exceptional cultural options from food and music to ished entrepreneurs and savers alike, resulting in
Frontier Trails Museum for an in-depth look at KC’s sports and art. Of course, it also famous for their slow job growth and limited economic opportunity.
trailblazing history, including insights into Lewis and friendly small towns, scenic natural beauty and wide- Lowering income tax burdens and transitioning to
Clark’s exploration through present-day Jackson open spaces. consumption taxes allows for economic growth and
County. more opportunity for every Kansan. Under this poli-
With a population of just over 2.9 million, Kansas cy, Kansans are getting higher paying jobs.
Giving recognitions to a confluence of rivers and re- packs a heavy economic punch. A proactive legis-
sources, Kansas City served for decades as a central lative and regulatory environment and major ad- The KAAAC members devise strategies to address
point along three major Western migration trails, in- vantages in costs, taxes, skilled workforce and major the public policy concerns of the African American
cluding the Oregon Trail, which celebrates its 175th transportation assets have merged to make the Sun- community through its partnerships with the state
anniversary in 2018. flower State a haven for investment and innovation. agencies, corporations and foundations. The Com-
Kansans are famous for their modesty, but it’s hard mission will serve as a conduit for programs, grants,
The Lewis and Clark Lookout highlights this journey not to brag about the state’s world-class communi- research, and policy advice for state and local or-
as well, as a statue marks the spot where Lewis and ties. Kansas is a blend of cosmopolitan and rural, ganizations in addressing concerns that are unique
Clark paused atop a steep bluff (in now-Downtown with everything from booming metro areas, down- to the African American Community in the state of
Kansas City) to take in a sweeping panorama of the towns and suburbs, to serene farm communities and Kansas.
Missouri River Valley. quaint college towns.

FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 47