Facilitating Northwest Kansas growth involves strategic programs aimed at attracting, developing, and retaining a high-quality workforce. This approach recognizes the pivotal role of skilled professionals in driving economic development, innovation, and social cohesion. By recruiting diverse talents, Innovation Center aims to make Northwest Kansas a competitive hub, creating more jobs, boosting the economy, and improving residents’ quality of life.
Below, please find an overview of our initiatives aimed at cultivating and expanding the workforce in the Northwestern Kansas region.
Connect NWK is your premier online job board and community hub for unlocking the vast opportunities that await you in Northwest Kansas. Whether you’re a newcomer to the region or a long-time resident seeking new horizons, Connect NWK is your one-stop platform for connecting with employers, communities, and like-minded individuals who share your passion for success.
At Connect NWK, we’re all about facilitating meaningful connections. Our data-driven approach helps match your skills and aspirations with the right job opportunities, while also connecting you with the vibrant communities and businesses that call Northwest Kansas home. Short commutes, long-lasting opportunities, and a supportive network of professionals are just a click away.
Join us at Connect NWK and take the first step towards realizing your career aspirations in a region that embraces growth and innovation. Welcome to a world of opportunities in Northwest Kansas, where your future begins today.
The Regional Workforce Recruitment Incentive Program empowers counties within the region to establish and oversee their own incentive programs for recruiting and retaining workers in their respective counties. The Innovation Center has played a crucial role in establishing workforce boards across the region to assist counties in implementing recruitment incentives for their areas.
The global events of 2020 accelerated a trend toward remote work, significantly increasing the number of full-time remote workers in the United States, from 5 million pre-pandemic to over 40 million. According to a recent national survey, more than 18 million of these remote workers plan to relocate within the next three years. This sudden and enduring surge in remote work presents a unique opportunity for communities to boost their economies by attracting individual remote workers.
The Regional Remote Workforce Recruitment program aims to establish systems and processes for engaging with remote employees and attracting them to Northwest Kansas. The Innovation Center and Make My Move have joined forces to facilitate this program, with the Innovation Center providing local support, marketing, and program management, while Make My Move offers resources at the top of the recruitment funnel and handles nationwide program management.
Make My Move and The Innovation Center have collaborated on a remote worker recruitment campaign in Lincoln, Kansas. Since the program’s launch in October 2022, Lincoln has received 6,125 unique views and 333 applications, with 39 applicants meeting Lincoln’s criteria for pre-qualification. Among the pre-qualified applicants, the average household income is $95,707, with an average household size of 1.9 people. These applicants currently reside in various locations, including Florida, Montana, Texas, North Dakota, California, New York, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, and Kentucky.
Lincoln has successfully extended offers to three families, one from Arkansas, one from California, and one from Tennessee, totaling a population increase of 0.6% for Lincoln County. The goal for Lincoln is to attract five out-of-state remote workers within a 12-month period.
a. Increase the regional population of the 26 counties in Northwest Kansas by recruiting and retaining 70 households of remote workers.
b. Develop and manage programs for recruiting and retaining young individuals to live and work in the 26-county region of NWKS. This initiative will primarily focus on retaining skilled trades workers and individuals expressing interest in trades.
c. Overall, The Innovation Center has set a goal of placing 500 people in careers within the 26-county region over a 5-year period. This opportunity will help us reach that goal by 2024.
The program will function as a recruitment and marketing initiative for the region. The program’s phases are detailed below.
The investment from MakeMyMove provides our region with a competitive advantage in attracting recruits from a national database to our area. We aim to attract remote workers and also create additional local job opportunities for each household that relocates to the region.
a. Phase I: Develop each county’s unique value proposition and incentive package, utilizing the community’s asset inventory, people, and stories. These elements will be integrated into the marketing campaign.
b. Phase II: Implement a multi-channel marketing campaign tailored to attract a prioritized pool of applicants to each county.
c. Phase III: Qualify and recruit candidates, providing incentives and local support to potential movers.
Discover these transformative programs in Northwest Kansas. These initiatives offer unique opportunities for career growth, remote work, and community development. Learn more about each program by using our contact form and become part of the positive change in our region.
Facilitating Northwest Kansas growth involves strategic programs aimed at attracting, developing, and retaining a high-quality workforce. This approach recognizes the pivotal role of skilled professionals in driving economic development, innovation, and social cohesion. By recruiting diverse talents, Innovation Center aims to make Northwest Kansas a competitive hub, creating more jobs, boosting the economy, and improving residents’ quality of life.
Below, please find an overview of our initiatives aimed at cultivating and expanding the workforce in the Northwestern Kansas region.
Connect NWK is your premier online job board and community hub for unlocking the vast opportunities that await you in Northwest Kansas. Whether you’re a newcomer to the region or a long-time resident seeking new horizons, Connect NWK is your one-stop platform for connecting with employers, communities, and like-minded individuals who share your passion for success.
At Connect NWK, we’re all about facilitating meaningful connections. Our data-driven approach helps match your skills and aspirations with the right job opportunities, while also connecting you with the vibrant communities and businesses that call Northwest Kansas home. Short commutes, long-lasting opportunities, and a supportive network of professionals are just a click away.
Join us at Connect NWK and take the first step towards realizing your career aspirations in a region that embraces growth and innovation. Welcome to a world of opportunities in Northwest Kansas, where your future begins today.
The Regional Workforce Recruitment Incentive Program empowers counties within the region to establish and oversee their own incentive programs for recruiting and retaining workers in their respective counties. The Innovation Center has played a crucial role in establishing workforce boards across the region to assist counties in implementing recruitment incentives for their areas.
The global events of 2020 accelerated a trend toward remote work, significantly increasing the number of full-time remote workers in the United States, from 5 million pre-pandemic to over 40 million. According to a recent national survey, more than 18 million of these remote workers plan to relocate within the next three years. This sudden and enduring surge in remote work presents a unique opportunity for communities to boost their economies by attracting individual remote workers.
The Regional Remote Workforce Recruitment program aims to establish systems and processes for engaging with remote employees and attracting them to Northwest Kansas. The Innovation Center and Make My Move have joined forces to facilitate this program, with the Innovation Center providing local support, marketing, and program management, while Make My Move offers resources at the top of the recruitment funnel and handles nationwide program management.
Make My Move and The Innovation Center have collaborated on a remote worker recruitment campaign in Lincoln, Kansas. Since the program’s launch in October 2022, Lincoln has received 6,125 unique views and 333 applications, with 39 applicants meeting Lincoln’s criteria for pre-qualification. Among the pre-qualified applicants, the average household income is $95,707, with an average household size of 1.9 people. These applicants currently reside in various locations, including Florida, Montana, Texas, North Dakota, California, New York, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, and Kentucky.
Lincoln has successfully extended offers to three families, one from Arkansas, one from California, and one from Tennessee, totaling a population increase of 0.6% for Lincoln County. The goal for Lincoln is to attract five out-of-state remote workers within a 12-month period.
a. Increase the regional population of the 26 counties in Northwest Kansas by recruiting and retaining 70 households of remote workers.
b. Develop and manage programs for recruiting and retaining young individuals to live and work in the 26-county region of NWKS. This initiative will primarily focus on retaining skilled trades workers and individuals expressing interest in trades.
c. Overall, The Innovation Center has set a goal of placing 500 people in careers within the 26-county region over a 5-year period. This opportunity will help us reach that goal by 2024.
The program will function as a recruitment and marketing initiative for the region. The program’s phases are detailed below.
The investment from MakeMyMove provides our region with a competitive advantage in attracting recruits from a national database to our area. We aim to attract remote workers and also create additional local job opportunities for each household that relocates to the region.
a. Phase I: Develop each county’s unique value proposition and incentive package, utilizing the community’s asset inventory, people, and stories. These elements will be integrated into the marketing campaign.
b. Phase II: Implement a multi-channel marketing campaign tailored to attract a prioritized pool of applicants to each county.
c. Phase III: Qualify and recruit candidates, providing incentives and local support to potential movers.
Discover these transformative programs in Northwest Kansas. These initiatives offer unique opportunities for career growth, remote work, and community development. Learn more about each program by using our contact form and become part of the positive change in our region.
