K-State 105

Technology-Based Economic Development assistance

With the support of K-State 105, the K-State Technology Development Institute, or TDI, is serving as a strategic partner in supporting Technology-Based Economic Development, or TBED, initiatives across the state. These initiatives range from statewide, regional or community levels. Developing and proposing programs to assist technology-based companies with access to growth resources is a critical element of K-State 105.

Below are examples of the strategic TBED support TDI has provided through K-State 105.

Statewide TBED work

TDI co-led the proposal development of the Kansas Innovation Corridors Hub for Advanced Manufacturing Productivity, called KS I-CHAMP. This was a consortium response to the U.S. Economic Development Administration, or EDA, Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program as authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. This program helps propel globally competitive industries and companies that will accelerate regional technology-based economic growth.

This was a proposed statewide consortium of 104 committed members from industry; state government; higher education institutions, including universities and technical/community colleges; and regional and local economic development partners. The technology focus of the consortium was on advanced manufacturing, robotics and automation with market focus primarily on aviation, agriculture, construction and microelectronics — all of which are key technologies and market sectors important to the future economic prosperity of Kansas.

Partners involved:

Locations involved:

  • Statewide
Regional TBED work

The K-State Technology Development Institute served as catalyst, convener and grant writing resource for a northwest Kansas coalition of economic/regional development groups and higher education organizations in response to a U.S Economic Development Administration Disaster Recovery notice of funding opportunity. The Invest Northwest proposal was born out of the need for strategic responses to the precipitating declared disasters and recognition of the region's economic vulnerability to such shocks and compounding economic stress. The proposed resiliency initiative was broadly supported across the region by industry, communities, school districts, higher education institutions, regional nonprofits, local government, state government and the region's economic developers.

Partners involved:

Locations involved:

The 26 counties in the Invest Northwest region included Cheyenne, Cloud, Decatur, Ellis, Ellsworth, Gove, Graham, Jewell, Lincoln, Logan, Mitchell, Norton, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Rawlins, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Saline, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego and Wallace counties.

TDI also has been working with the eight regional U.S Economic Development Administration Economic Development Districts in Kansas to lay the foundations for incorporating more TBED strategies into their regions. This is a partnership with the Kansas Department of Commerce and its Kansas Framework for Growth, which is a statewide economic development strategy.

Partners involved:

Locations involved:

Statewide

Community TBED work

TDI has partnered with GO Topeka to support the Plug and Play program, which is building an international technology entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through engagement of K-State's technical expertise in areas such as animal health and ag tech, TDI and K-State are supporting the community of Topeka and its efforts to cultivate technology entrepreneurship.

Partners involved:

Locations involved:

  • Shawnee County
Learn more about the GO Topeka Plug and Play program collaboration.