The Agritourism Attraction Development Loan category of the Value-Added Loan Program is designed to help new and existing agritourism operators expand their business operations. Applicants must be registered with the Kansas Department of Commerce as an agritourism operation. 

Agritourism Educational Scholarship Program

The Kansas Department of Commerce, Rural Development Division has established a scholarship program to assist Kansas agritourism operators attend select conferences, seminars and educational tours, to gain first-hand information regarding agritourism best practices around the region and the country, and to develop relationships within the agritourism industry nationwide.

Commerce will provide scholarship awards up to $2,500 per business per fiscal year for costs associated with educational tours, workshops, seminars, sessions and registrations related to attendance at an approved agritourism, tourism, or agricultural direct marketing conference or for travel required for research and education purposes to approved agritourism operations or agritourism market clusters regionally and nationally. (These trips may be developed by the agritourism operator making the application for grant funding.) To qualify for Commerce scholarship funds, each approved application must consist of a representative from the registered Kansas agritourism operation who is directly involved in the operations, marketing, and development of the business. Funded conference attendance must take place within 12 months of the award. Funds can be used for:

·         Educational seminars
·         Educational tours or sessions
·         Workshops
·         Conferences
·         Best practices research and/or educational trips
·         Other related expenses deemed appropriate by the Department of Commerce Rural Development Staff

All applicant businesses must be registered with the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Simply Kansas

The Simply Kansas trademark program promotes Kansas food and agricultural products and experiences. Agritourism is one of the six member categories within Simply Kansas. 

Member companies receive a variety of benefits, including:

·         Listing in the Simply Kansas online product directory, available to buyers worldwide
·         Use of the Simply Kansas logo on packaging and marketing materials and company Web sites to help consumers quickly identify them as Kansas-made products
·         Marketing and technical assistance
·         Access to the Simply Kansas on-line calendar for posting company events
·         Simply Kansas point-of-sale materials available for purchase
·         Receipt of the Simply Kansas quarterly newsletter
·         Simply Kansas Business Enhancement Grant
·         Promotion of your Simply Kansas product at Kansas Department of Commerce events
·         Opportunity to be featured as a Simply Kansas Company of the Month
·         Educational opportunities designed for business owners and entrepreneurs

Simply Kansas Business Enhancement Grant

This dollar-for-dollar matching grant may be utilized for business enhancement activities including marketing and consulting expenses, Web site development or expansion, brochure or catalog development, signage and tradeshow displays.   

Attraction Development Grant

This grant is designed to provide assistance in the development of new tourism attractions or the enhancement of existing attractions within the state. 

For details, please contact Regina Nicol at Rnicol@kansascommerce.com or (785) 296-6777.

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