Rural Opportunity Zones

Solomon Valley Economic Development (SVED) has programs to assist you in finding the funding that you need for your project. ​

Economic Development 
in the Solomon Valley, ​Mitchell County, KS

Kansas law designates 77 counties in Kansas as Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZ), providing a 100 percent state income tax waiver for up to five years and repayment of up to $3,000 per year ($15,000 maximum) in outstanding student loans.  
 
There's something special about life in rural Kansas. Something authentic and wholesome. Something that makes it the ideal place to live, work and raise a family. And, thanks to the new Rural Opportunity Zones program, there's never been a better time than now to make rural Kansas your new home. If you're looking for lower cost of living and better quality of life, Kansas is your best choice.

Mitchell County is a Rural Opportunity Zones participant and can offer the following financial incentives to new, full-time residents:

• Kansas income tax waivers for up to five years
• Student loan repayments up to $15,000

To be eligible for Kansas income tax waivers, individuals must have:

• established residency in Mitchell County after July 2011
• lived outside Kansas for five or more years immediately prior to moving to Mitchell County
• earned less than $10,000 in Kansas Source Income in each of the five years immediately prior to establishing residency in Mitchell County. 

To be eligible for student loan repayments, individuals must:            

• establish residency in Mitchell County after July 1, 2011
• hold an associate's, bachelor's or post-graduate degree
• have an outstanding student loan balance​

How to Get Started

1. Fill out the Student Loan Repayment Application.
   
   
2. Wait for email from Commerce requesting documentation/proof of residence in Kansas.
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3. Wait for a letter to arrive based on your approval status in the program and follow the instructions listed in the letter.

​Kansas Department of Revenue
Office of Policy and Research
785-296-3081

• www.ksrevenue.org