Kansas Department of Commerce

Registration is now open for the Rural Opportunities Conference, which will be April 9 and 10 in Dodge City. The deadline to register is April 2.

The Rural Opportunities Conference will highlight rural business and community development topics. General session speakers include:

• Duane Goossen, vice president for Fiscal and Health Policy at the Kansas Health Institute, will provide an overview of data and options for financing local and state government.
• Tracy Streeter, director of the Kansas Water Office will present information about Kansas’ water supply and use and future water needs in the state.
• Christy Hopkins and Liz Sosa, PowerUp liaisons, will discuss strategies to engage and connect younger rural residents within their communities.

Breakout sessions will discuss funding diversity and collaboration for community and entrepreneurial development; closing the workforce housing gap; the economic impact of water in Kansas; and attracting residents, workers and entrepreneurs to rural Kansas. A new breakout session will focus on topics proposed by conference attendees.

For a complete schedule of events and to register, visit KansasCommerce.com/RuralOpportunitiesConference.

The Rural Opportunities Conference will be held April 9 and 10 at the Magouirk Conference Center, 4100 West Comanche, Dodge City, Kan. 67801. Registration and exhibits open at 9 a.m. April 9.

The cost to attend the conference is $75 per person and includes all sessions and meals.