Make Kansas Your Home

Rural Opportunity Zones

Rural Opportunity Zone Program

– Facilitates the population growth of rural Kansas communities in 73 designated counties through the use of tax relief and student loan reimbursement.

– Qualified individuals will receive Kansas state income tax abatements and student loan reimbursements.

Income Tax Abatements– Establish residency in a ROZ on or after July

1 2011 after having lived outside the state of Kansas for 5 or more years

– Earned less than $10,000 in Kansas source income prior to establishing residency

– Maintain residence for the entire taxable year the tax credit is claimed

Student Loan Reimbursement

– Establish residency in ROZ county after the County opts to participate in the Student Loan Assistance of the ROZ program

– Must have obtained an associates, bachelors, or post-graduate degree

– Individual must have a current outstanding student loan balance

Student Loan Reimbursement– Student loan payments will be in equal shares

over a maximum term of 5 years– Annual payments will be equal to 20% of the

outstanding loan balance up to a maximum of $15,000

– ROZ counties will provide 50% of the payment with the state providing a 50% match

Employer-Sponsorship

– Employers in Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) Counties will be able to “sponsor” specific ROZ applicants

– ROZ can be utilized as a recruitment tool by employers

Requirement of Employer Sponsorship

– Employers must agree to pay for 5 years of matching payments.

– County must notify commerce of employer sponsorship and receive approval.

– Employer/ROZ candidate must complete appropriate application form.

Required ROZ Documents: Residency

– Lease of living quarters or ownership of a home in the ROZ county

• & One of the following:• Acceptance or offer of employment in the county• Proof of current employment in the county• Registration of vehicle in the county• Proof of voter registration in the county• Kansas Driver’s License showing residency

Carol Meyer(620) 755-6738

cmeyer@kansascommerce .com