Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly Signs Bill Offering Tax Incentives for Investment in Data Centers

ByKC Tech Council

Last week, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly officially signed into law a sales tax exemption for qualifying data center projects in the state. KC Tech Council (KCTC) and member organizations served as advocates to help drive forward the initiative, which provides additional workforce incentives and a pathway to critical digital infrastructure. Efforts resulted in Senate Bill 98, which passed with bipartisan support in both the Kansas Senate and the House of Representatives. 

“We believe the digital economy serves as Kansas’s main opportunity to really lead, innovate, thrive, and continue to grow, and investing in this data center infrastructure (through legislation) represents more than just a business incentive,” KCTC CEO Kara Lowe said during testimony to the Kansas Senate’s Commerce Committee in January. “It’s a catalyst for economic transformation, and I think, most importantly, a signal to Kansas’ commitment to a prosperous future.”

KCTC’s continued support of the new data center tax incentive revolves around a central location and skilled workforce, which could allow the region to continue development as a key hub for data center activity. Investments could lay the groundwork for:

  • Strengthened regional competitiveness, attracting additional tech firms, creation of new small businesses, and fostering an ecosystem of innovation.
  • Community revitalization – data centers bring new opportunities to local communities.
  • Long-term economic stability, supported by high-value industries that will power Kansas for decades to come.

Interested in becoming more involved and staying up to date? Become a member of KC Tech Council and take advantage of our events, networking opportunities and more. Register today.

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